For those interested, here's the latest on how things are going for the non-rev sports teams.
Women's Soccer:
Salvaged what could have been a disastrous weekend by beating Purdue 1-0 on the road yesterday. They stand at 1-1 in the conference now, but blowing that 2 goal lead with 5 minutes to go against Indiana still stings. The good news is that the defense looks a lot better now that Jada Dayne has returned, and Stratagakis, the Martin sisters and Hernandez are providing more creative midfield play and scoring opportunities than they've had in years. The bad news is I think their starting goalie might be out for the season, and the toughest part of their schedule is yet to come. Maybe can still make the tournament...but they're going to have to grow up quickly. Currently not receiving any top 25 votes.
Men's Soccer:
Continues to chug right along. Started Big Ten play with a win over a pretty hapless Rutgers squad (redundant, I know). Their really big games will come later in the season, but they're doing what they're supposed to do. Umar Farouk Osman (UFO) has really become a dynamic threat on the wings, and the defense is giving up few opportunities. Might sneak into the top 25 when the new polls come out tomorrow.
Field Hockey:
Back on track after a rough start, they also started off Big Ten play with a win over Rutgers, (and this Rutgers team is actually halfway decent). Senior Emma Way has been a scoring machine, including an absolutely jaw-dropping highlight reel goal against CMU this weekend. The defense appears to be steadying and becoming more stingy as well. We'll find out just how much the defense has improved this weekend with two road games against top 5 teams (PSU and MD). Find a way to win one and the Big Ten title is still a realistic goal. Lose both, and focus shifts to making the national tournament. Currently ranked right around #10.
Volleyball:
Good news - still undefeated. Now standing at 11-0 after 2 straight wins against Notre Dame. Bad news - rough storms are ahead. They'll take road trips to top 10 Nebraska and PSU teams in the next 2 weeks. Winning either of those will be really tough, but this team has a shot. Middle blocker Kiarra Shannon looked like a legit attacking threat for the first time this weekend, which is huge if she can keep that up. Our middle blockers aren't all-Americans, but if Shannon and Crocker can keep the defenses honest, then our outside hitters, Skodt, Wetterstrom and Jones should have more room to tee off, and they are all really really good. Worth watching this team just to watch libero Jenna Lerg constantly throw herself to the ground diving to make a dig and somehow popping it up right to the setter time and time again. She's special. Realistically, this team will lose at least 6-8 Big Ten games, but that's not bad for such a loaded conference, and should keep them right around the top 15. Currently they sit at #18.
Women's Soccer:
Salvaged what could have been a disastrous weekend by beating Purdue 1-0 on the road yesterday. They stand at 1-1 in the conference now, but blowing that 2 goal lead with 5 minutes to go against Indiana still stings. The good news is that the defense looks a lot better now that Jada Dayne has returned, and Stratagakis, the Martin sisters and Hernandez are providing more creative midfield play and scoring opportunities than they've had in years. The bad news is I think their starting goalie might be out for the season, and the toughest part of their schedule is yet to come. Maybe can still make the tournament...but they're going to have to grow up quickly. Currently not receiving any top 25 votes.
Men's Soccer:
Continues to chug right along. Started Big Ten play with a win over a pretty hapless Rutgers squad (redundant, I know). Their really big games will come later in the season, but they're doing what they're supposed to do. Umar Farouk Osman (UFO) has really become a dynamic threat on the wings, and the defense is giving up few opportunities. Might sneak into the top 25 when the new polls come out tomorrow.
Field Hockey:
Back on track after a rough start, they also started off Big Ten play with a win over Rutgers, (and this Rutgers team is actually halfway decent). Senior Emma Way has been a scoring machine, including an absolutely jaw-dropping highlight reel goal against CMU this weekend. The defense appears to be steadying and becoming more stingy as well. We'll find out just how much the defense has improved this weekend with two road games against top 5 teams (PSU and MD). Find a way to win one and the Big Ten title is still a realistic goal. Lose both, and focus shifts to making the national tournament. Currently ranked right around #10.
Volleyball:
Good news - still undefeated. Now standing at 11-0 after 2 straight wins against Notre Dame. Bad news - rough storms are ahead. They'll take road trips to top 10 Nebraska and PSU teams in the next 2 weeks. Winning either of those will be really tough, but this team has a shot. Middle blocker Kiarra Shannon looked like a legit attacking threat for the first time this weekend, which is huge if she can keep that up. Our middle blockers aren't all-Americans, but if Shannon and Crocker can keep the defenses honest, then our outside hitters, Skodt, Wetterstrom and Jones should have more room to tee off, and they are all really really good. Worth watching this team just to watch libero Jenna Lerg constantly throw herself to the ground diving to make a dig and somehow popping it up right to the setter time and time again. She's special. Realistically, this team will lose at least 6-8 Big Ten games, but that's not bad for such a loaded conference, and should keep them right around the top 15. Currently they sit at #18.
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