August 24, 2004
USI women’s soccer opens in Michigan
The University of Southern Indiana women’s soccer team opens the 2004 season in Allendale, Michigan, when it plays a neutral site match with Ferris State University Friday and host Grand Valley State University Sunday. Both matches are slated for 1 p.m. (CT) kick-offs.
Under the direction of second-year Head Coach Krissy Meek, the Screaming Eagles are coming off of a 6-9-1 campaign in 2004 and are looking for their first trip to the GLVC Tournament since 2000.
Leading the way for Meek and the Eagles is junior forward Alisann Shetler (Evansville, Indiana). Shetler was second on the team with 16 points in 2003 on seven goals and two assists. Her seven goals scored also tied for first on the team and tied for seventh in the GLVC.
In addition to Shetler, the Eagles also return three other players who reached double digits for points in 2003. Junior midfielder Brooklyn Gant (Evansville, Indiana) was third on the team with 13 points (six goals and one assist), while sophomore midfielders Kara Marcum (Evnasville, Indiana) and Rebecca Cripe (Argos, Indiana) posted 11 points (two goals and seven assists) and 10 points (four goals and two assists), respectively.
Marcum also was the team leader and ranked fifth in the GLVC with her seven assists.
First up for the Eagles will be Friday’s neutral site contest with Ferris State. The Lady Bulldogs, who were 11-5-1 in 2003, are led by junior forward Lisa O’Brian, who had 33 points on 15 goals and three assists a year ago.
Friday’s match-up will be the first women’s soccer game between USI and Ferris State.
USI completes the season-opening road trip by playing host Grand Valley State, who was 17-2-2 overall and made their first ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament during 2003. The Lakers are led by junior forward Mirela Tutundzic, who had 58 points as a sophomore on 22 goals and 14 assists.
Also returning with Tutundzic is sophomore midfielder Shannon Carrier, who had 34 points on 12 goals and 10 assists, and junior forward Jennifer Swalec, who had 30 points on 10 goals and 10 assists.
This will be the second meeting between USI and Grand Valley State in women’s soccer. USI won the first meeting in 2002, 1-0, at the University of Indianapolis Tournament.
The Eagles are scheduled to open the 2004 home schedule Sunday, September 5, when Wheeling Jesuit University visits Strassweg Field for a 2 p.m. match.
Ray Simmons, USI Sports Information
