Lady Lions end season with loss, seek sanctuary in off season
Eric Scott

Assistant Sports Editor

 

This is the end, only friend, the end - except for the Lady Lions soccer team.

Although the team ended its season on Nov. 8 against Truman State University, a tough off season looms ahead for Southern.

 The season got a little disappointing at the end,  said Geoff VanDeusen, head coach.  We just need to go into the off season and work harder. 

VanDeusen said the team will prepare for next season by  hitting the weight room hard.  He said the team needs to  get a lot of repetitions in practice and scrimmages. 

 I think we could have gone further,  said Terressa Kusick, freshman forward,  but I m glad we could prove ourselves to other teams. Next year we ll be better. 

Southern s game versus Truman might have ended the season on a sour note for some as the Bulldogs downed the Lady Lions 4-0. After a scoreless first half, TSU scored four consecutive goals at 52:52, 63:59, 74:13, and 76:13 in the second half. Sophomore goalkeeper Shannon Brosnahan had seven saves.

 I thought it (the game) was a disappointing end to the season,  VanDeusen said.  When Truman scored that first goal, I think we gave up and called the season. 

The loss brought Southern s record to 11-5-2 (7-3-2 MIAA). The Lady Lions  11 wins set a new Southern women s soccer record for most wins in a season.

The MIAA released its list of the 2002 All-MIAA team on Wednesday. Sophomore midfielder Ashley Munnelly was named the MIAA most valuable player. Making the first team were Alicia Givens, sophomore defender, and Jessie Noid, junior defender. Munnelly was also selected to the first team. Players named to the second team were Kim Boessen, sophomore goalkeeper; Stephanie Doerr, junior defender; and Kaysie Griffin, sophomore forward. Senior defender Amanda Zook received an honorable mention.

In addition to being named MIAA player of the year, Munnelly was named to the Verizon Academic All-District VII Women s Soccer Team. She carries a 3.42 grade-point average with an English major.

VanDeusen thinks the team earned the reputation this season of being a team this is  hard to beat and has good players.  He said the Lady Lions are also known for being  young and energetic. 

 We re pretty excited about what we ve done this season,  VanDeusen said.  We re also excited about where we re going.