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Miami Falls to Louisville in Spring Opener
Zakrzewski tallies lone goal for RedHawks in 3-1 loss
Rising junior Kayla Zakrzewski scored Miami's lone goal Saturday.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Miami University women’s soccer team opened its spring exhibition season Saturday afternoon, falling to Louisville, 3-1, at Cardinal Park Soccer Stadium. Despite the loss, the RedHawks held tough in their first action of the season against a Cardinal team that is coming off its best season in program history, making it to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 last year, and already won a tournament and beat Vanderbilt, 3-0, during its spring season this year.
“When I look at how we played today, I think we’ve matured and that was the biggest thing I took away from the game,” head coach Bobby Kramig said. “Our players were much more composed on the field then they were in the fall, which is interesting considering we were laying against a top-20 team. I think we’ve matured as individual players and grown as a team.”
After Miami opened the game strong, Louisville began to control play and capitalized with a goal with roughly five minutes remaining in the opening half to grab a 1-0 lead.
“We started off the game well but got a bit shaky as the first half went on. We were doing too much defending, scrambling and chasing and weren’t able to keep the ball,” Kramig said.
The RedHawks used halftime to catch their breath and gain their composure and came out more poised in the second half, creating some chances. Miami pulled even at 1-1 about 10 minutes into the second stanza on a goal by rising junior Kayla Zakrzewski (London, Ont.). Classmate Sydney Busch (Salinas, Calif.) set up the play with a great cross from the right side that Zakrzewski headed in from the far post.
Miami continued to control much of the play until the Cardinals regained the lead near the 65th minute off a corner kick to make it 2-1.
“I was very unhappy with our effort on the corner kick,” Kramig said. “Granted, Louisville has us physically outmatched across the board but we didn’t even attempt a challenge on that corner and gave them a free header. I was disappointed in that.”
The Cardinals then completed the scoring on a counter attack to make it 3-1 with 15 minutes remaining in the contest. Zakrzewski had a chance late in the game to close within one but her header went just wide.
Miami split goalkeepers in the match as rising junior Madison Ryan (Marietta, Ga.) played the first half while rising sophomore Allison Norenberg (Palatine, Ill.) was in net for the final 45 minutes.
“I thought the quality of our play was reasonably good for this time of year and our first spring outing,” Kramig said. “I was very pleased with the play of our two centerbacks, Courtney Zanotti and Sam Parrish. Kelsey Dinges had a terrific game in the midfield for us. She showed a lot of composure and possessed the ball for us, settling things down when it needed to be settled. Kayla was Kayla, always dangerous down the left side and Emily Hyde had a nice run on the right side of the midfield.”
The RedHawks continue their spring season Wednesday, April 4 at Northern Kentucky with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
Miami Inks 11 to National Letters of Intent
Six hail from Ohio, four from Illinois and one comes from Pennsylvania
Signees Lauren Kelly, Jess Bronke and Catherine Caniglia won a national championship together in 2011 with the club team NSA Premier Fury.
OXFORD, Ohio – With 21 freshmen and sophomores currently on the Miami University women’s soccer team’s roster, the RedHawks continued their youth movement by signing 11 talented high school seniors to National Letters of Intent, head coach Bobby Kramig announced Wednesday. The 11-woman class that begins play at Miami in the fall of 2012 consists of Morgan Beck, Jess Bronke, Catherine Caniglia, Ashley Hull, Lauren Kelly, Lauren Mathews, Katie Mazurek, Sydney Neal, Shannon Stearns, Haley Walter and Katee Wensinger.
Six of the signees come to Oxford from the Buckeye State (Beck, Mathews, Mazurek, Neal, Walter and Wensinger) while four are from Illinois (Bronke, Caniglia, Kelly and Stearns) and one calls Pennsylvania home (Hull). Out of the class, one is a goalkeeper, two are defenders, four are midfielders and four play both forward and midfield. Bronke, Caniglia and Kelly already have experience playing together as the trio won a national title with the club team NSA Premier Fury in 2011.
Beck is a forward/midfielder from Cincinnati, Ohio where she earned four letters at Mariemont High School. She ranks second in school history with 58 career goals while leading her team to district championships in 2008 and again in 2011. Beck was named an All-American as well as Southwest Ohio Division III Player of the Year this past season. She was also named First-Team All-Cincinnati Hills League, All-Southwest District and All-Cincinnati three times each while earning All-Ohio honors twice, including first team once.
“A quick, clever and very creative player, Morgan is always fun to watch. She’s a very skillful player and has the ability to beat almost any player one-on-one, yet despite this ability, she’s one of the most unselfish players you’ll ever see,” Kramig said.
Comments on Morgan BeckBronke, a midfielder from Downers Grove, Ill., earned four letters at Downers Grove South serving as team captain for three years. While playing for the Mustangs she earned IHSA all-state honors in her senior season, all-sectional accolades in 2009 and 2010, and all-conference her final three years. Bronke was also named team MVP in 2010. She led her NSA Premier Fury club team to a National Championship in 2011 with fellow signees Catherine Caniglia and Lauren Kelly.
“Jess is an imposing presence in the midfield. She is a true, ball-winning center midfielder,” Kramig added. “She is dominant in the air and very, very dangerous on set pieces. We’ve been looking for a player like Jess for a long time.”
Caniglia, a midfielder from Naperville, Ill., earned three letters at Benet Academy under Coach Gerard O’Conor. She was her team’s leading scorer as a sophomore leading them to a conference championship. Caniglia has also played on the Olympic Development Program Illinois State Team in 2008 and 2009, helped her school win three state titles and lead her NSA Premier Fury Club team to a National Championship in 2011 with fellow signees Jess Bronke and Lauren Kelly.
“Catherine is a physically strong player with a great work rate. She attended our prospect camp and impressed us with her physical assets and her ball-striking ability,” Kramig said. “We’ll use her as a wide player and encourage her to run at opponents.”
Hull is a goalkeeper from Canonsburg, Pa. where she earned four letters at Canon-McMillan High School serving as team captain this past season. She recorded 27 career shutouts and 385 career saves during her time at CMHS. Hull earned WPIAL all-section in 2010 and 2011 and was awarded player of the year by her team. She also played on the PA (Pennsylvania) West Cup championship team and in the state All-Star Tournament in 2011. Hull competed two years in track and basketball at CMHS as well.
“Ashley is an athletic, mobile goalkeeper with good feet and good hands,” Kramig noted. “She will add yet another dimension to our already competitive goalkeeper situation.”
Kelly, a defender from Manhattan, Ill., earned two letters at Lincoln-Way Central High under Coach Daniel Radz before playing club soccer. She started all 24 games her freshman year and finished fifth on the team in points and third in assists. During Kelly’s freshman campaign she helped her team to a regional championship and a sectional final, while earning all-area honors. She, along with fellow signees Jess Bronke and Catherine Caniglia, led their NSA Premier Fury club team to a National Championship in 2011.
“Lauren is a very high-level defender. She’s quick, she’s fast and she is an excellent one-on-one defender,” Kramig said. “Mostly she has what all top-class defenders have — that mental toughness that says ‘I refuse to be beaten today’.”
Mathews is a midfielder from Hamilton, Ohio where she earned four letters at Badin High School under head coach Steve Tabar, who is a former Miami assistant coach. She was a member of the 2009 and 2010 All-Girls Greater Cincinnati League First Team, earned All-Southwest District and all-city in 2010 and was voted her team’s most valuable offensive player. Mathews lead her team to district championships in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Her US Youth Soccer team won the 2010 state title. Mathews is also a decorated basketball player earning three letters as a point guard for the Rams and leading them to a 2011 district championship. Several family members have also attended Miami, including her father, Richard (’84).
“Lauren possesses a very high soccer IQ. She reads plays very well and because of this, Lauren can play virtually any position on the field. All this and she’s a very good leader as well,” Kramig noted.
Mazurek, a defender from Dublin, Ohio, earned two letters at Dublin Jerome High School serving as team captain this past season. While playing for the Celtics she lead them to 2011 district, sectional and regional championships and was the state runner-up while helping them to a program-best record of 14-1-1. Mazurek was named Second-Team All-Ohio Capital Conference in 2010 and 2011 and was a state team and regional pool player in 2009 and 2010 for the Olympic Development Program. Her Ohio Premier Club team won the national championship in 2007 and state championships three times, including last year.
“Katie is a good player who possesses a wonderful combination of athleticism and soccer savvy,” Kramig said. “Katie is a very organized defender with strong leadership qualities. She is also a good distributor of the ball and very strong in the air.”
Neal is a midfielder from Carlisle, Ohio, where she earned four letters at Fenwick High School serving as team captain in her final two years. She led her team to a state championship in 2008 and was the state runner-up in 2009 and 2011. Neal was named a 2010 All-American as well as All-Ohio, First-Team All-Dayton and first-team all-conference while earning Dayton and GGCL Player of the Year honors. Her club team won state titles in 2006 and 2008, as well.
“Sydney is a tough, tough kid. She’s physically strong and a terrific soccer player who is skillful, can play with both feet and an excellent server of the ball,” Kramig said. “Syd can play in an attacking role for us either centrally or out wide.”
Stearns, a midfielder/defender from Orland Hills, Ill., earned three letters at Carl Sandburg High School. She was named all-conference in 2011 after recording 21 goals and 17 assists. Her 2010 team finished with a 22-1-1 record, was the runner-up at the Illinois 3A state finals and a number one state ranking. She also helped her team win conference and regional titles in 2010 and 2011.
“Shannon is a very versatile player who can play any midfield or defensive position. She has a good build to her and is very athletic,” Kramig noted. “She also has great feet, which you don’t see every day on a player with her frame.”
Walter is a midfielder/forward from Cincinnati, Ohio, where she earned four letters at Kings High School serving as team captain in her final two years. Walter was the team leader in assists and scoring in three out of her four years as well as a three-time First-Team All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference selection. She also earned team offensive MVP honors. Walter lettered four years in track and two years in basketball, as well, as she currently holds the 400-meter dash school record and is part of the 4×400 meter school record relay team. Her father, Craig Walter (’78), and her grandfather, Paul “Bucky” Walter (’50), both attended Miami while her grandfather is a 2002 inductee to the Miami Athletic Hall of Fame.
“A relentlessly fit player, Haley quite simply wears opponents down. She’s fast, she’s fit and she possesses a great competitive attitude,” Kramig commented. “Haley was very impressive when she attended our prospect camp and we are very excited to have her joining our team.”
Wensinger, a midfielder/forward from Stow, Ohio, earned four letters at Stow-Munroe Falls High serving as team captain in her final two seasons. She recorded 39 goals and 20 assists over her career as a Lady Bulldog. She led her team to four conference championships, as well as the district semifinals in each of her four seasons. Wensinger was tabbed all-conference each of her last two years while earning conference player of the year this past season. As a senior she also earned all-district and second-team all-state honors and played in the Ohio Senior All-Star Game. Wensinger has lettered three times in track so far as well and placed second at the state meet in the 4×800 in 2009 and was all-conference in 2010.
“Fit, fast, skillful and versatile — what more could you wish for?” Kramig said of Wensinger. “Katie has all those qualities and more. I think she can play almost any position on the field. We first saw her at our prospect camp and are delighted that she chose Miami.”
This past season, the RedHawks finished 9-8-1 despite the majority of the team being underclassmen. Miami begins its spring exhibition schedule March 31 at Louisville while the signees join the team in the fall.
Kodiak Named Team Captain for 2012
Junior has played in 60 career games, missing just one
Junior Jess Kodiak was named team captain for 2012.
OXFORD, Ohio – As the lone junior on the Miami University women’s soccer team this year, Jess Kodiak will be looked up to for leadership heading into the spring season and during the 2012 campaign. She was officially named team captain on Tuesday, head coach Bobby Kramig announced.
“Jess represents everything we want Miami Soccer to be about. She’s a terrific player with a strong work ethic, she sets high standards for herself and others and she is a great role model for her teammates and those aspiring to be her teammates,” Kramig said. “If you want to know how to be successful in our program, look at Jess.”
Kodiak (Naperville, Ill.) has appeared in 60 games for the RedHawks, missing just one game in her career, which came as a freshman. She has started 47 of those games, including every game over the last two seasons, and 45 consecutive contests dating back to her freshman year. Kodiak has improved her production on the pitch each season and has 20 career goals, including five game-winners, 14 career assists and 54 career points.
“Being captain is not an easy job. There’s a lot of pressure that comes with the position — pressure not only to perform but to help and encourage others to perform,” Kramig added. “I have very high expectations of our captain, expectations that are not always easy to meet. Yes, it’s an honor to wear the arm band but there’s an awful lot of work that goes into doing the job the right way. I trust Jess to give the team everything she’s got and I trust our team to do the same for her.”
Kodiak has captured awards each year she has played for the RedHawks. She was named to the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team in her first year in Oxford when she totaled eight points. As a sophomore in 2010 she earned All-MAC Tournament Team honors and led the MAC with 24 points on eight goals and eight assists. This past season, the midfielder/forward was named First-Team All-MAC, All-Ohio and Third-Team All-Great Lakes Region after leading Miami with 22 points and a career-high nine goals while her 1.22 points per game were second in the conference.
Kodiak has also been a leader in the classroom as she is a two-time Academic All-MAC selection, earning the honor each of the last two years (freshmen are not eligible for the award) and also was named Academic All-Ohio as a junior. She is a supply chain and operations management major and carries a 3.25 grade-point average.
Kodiak will lead the RedHawks into spring action, which starts March 31 at Louisville.
Miami Announces 2012 Spring Slate
RedHawks play pair of home games during exhibition season
OXFORD, Ohio – With the 2011 season in the rear-view mirror, the Miami University women’s soccer team will take its first steps toward the 2012 season this spring as the RedHawks revealed their 2012 spring exhibition schedule, head coach Bobby Kramig announced Friday.
Miami will play five exhibition games in the span of a month with the first three on the road in the state of Kentucky. The ‘Hawks then conclude their spring slate with a pair of home contests.
The RedHawks open spring play at Louisville on Saturday, March 31 at 1 p.m. Miami also played the Cardinals last spring and fell, 5-2, while the sides last played in the regular season to open the 2009 campaign – a 1-0 Louisville win. Four days later on Wednesday, April 4, the ‘Hawks head to Highland Heights, Ky. for a game against Northern Kentucky at 7:30 p.m.
Miami plays its final road game of the spring Tuesday, April 10 in Lexington, Ky. against the Kentucky Wildcats of the SEC at 7 p.m. The RedHawks and Wildcats tied a 1-1 contest two years ago during the 2010 spring season. Miami is 0-3 against Kentucky during the regular season.
On Saturday, April 14, the ‘Hawks play their first home spring game, hosting Wright State at Miami Soccer Field at 1 p.m. The two teams tied, 2-2, in Miami’s only exhibition game this past fall. The RedHawks are 6-2-0 during the regular season against the Raiders. Miami then wraps up its spring schedule a week later, hosting California University (Pa.) at 3 p.m. on April 21.
Miami is coming off a 9-8-1 campaign in 2011 while posting a 4-6-1 mark in Mid-American Conference Play. The RedHawks lose four seniors from that team but return 94 percent of its goal scoring from last year (29 of 31 goals), led by First-Team All-MAC selection Jess Kodiak (Naperville, Ill.), who had nine goals in 2011. Miami also brings back 87 percent of its points (76 of 87) from this past season, including two other All-MAC selections in sophomores (rising juniors) Katy Dolesh (South Euclid, Ohio) and Kayla Zakrzewski (London, Ont.), who each tallied seven goals in 2011.
2012 Spring Schedule
Saturday, March 31 at Louisville 1:00 pm
Wednesday, April 4 at Northern Kentucky 7:30 pm
Tuesday, April 10 at Kentucky 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 14 vs. Wright State 1:00 pm
Saturday, April 21 vs. Cal (PA) 3:00 pm
Miami Picks Up Several Academic Honors
Dolesh, Kodiak named Academic All-MAC and Academic All-Ohio
Junior Jess Kodiak earned Academic All-MAC and Academic All-Ohio honors, landing on the Academic All-MAC team for a second straight year.
OXFORD, Ohio – Not only did the Miami women’s soccer team work hard on the pitch in the fall, it also performed well in the classroom, as three RedHawks earned individual academic honors while the entire team was recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
Junior forward/midfielder Jess Kodiak and sophomore forward Katy Dolesh were both named Academic All-Mid-American Conference, the MAC office announced Monday. Both Kodiak and Dolesh, along with sophomore midfielder Kayla Zakrzewski , were also named First-Team Academic All-Ohio by the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association (OCSA). All three were also named All-Ohio and All-MAC earlier this season.
With two selections to the Academic All-MAC team, Miami has now had at least two players land on the squad each of the last three years, something that had never been done previously. Central Michigan and Toledo led the way on the 35-member team with eight honorees each. Miami’s three selections to the Academic All-Ohio First Team tied for the most of any school with Toledo and Dayton on the 11-member squad.
Kodiak (Naperville, Ill.), who carries a 3.25 grade-point average while majoring in supply chain and operations management, was also named Academic All-MAC as a sophomore but earned Academic All-Ohio for the first time. A First-Team All-MAC, All-Ohio and Third-Team All-Great Lakes Region performer in 2011, Kodiak started all 18 games for Miami. She totaled a team-best 22 points and ranked second in the MAC with 1.22 ppg. She scored a career- and team-high nine goals, including four in league play, which tied for fourth in the MAC, while her 0.50 gpg overall led the league. Kodiak dished out four assists and had a three-game goal streak Aug. 21-28. She notched a pair of game-winning goals, both in the first multi-goal games of her career. She had a career-best six points Sept. 16 at Evansville and won MAC Offensive Player of the Week Oct. 24 after two goals vs. Northern Illinois.
Dolesh (South Euclid, Ohio), a health studies major with a 3.33 GPA, is a first-time recipient of both her academic awards. A First-Team All-MAC and All-Ohio selection in 2011, she started all 16 games she played. She was second on the team with seven goals, including four in league play, tying for fourth in the MAC. Her 0.44 goals per game overall were third in the league. She added an assist Aug. 21 vs. Morehead State for a three-point game and had 15 points on the year. Dolesh tied a career high with two goals and four points Aug. 19 vs. IUPUI and earned MAC Offensive Player of the Week. She also picked up MAC Offensive Player of the Week Oct. 17 after scoring the game-winning goal in double overtime at Ohio, which started a three-game goal streak.
Zakrzewski (London, Ont.), who boasts a 3.26 GPA while majoring in sport studies, is a first time honoree on the Academic All-Ohio Team. A Second-Team All-MAC, All-Ohio and Third-Team All-Great Lakes Region performer in 2011, she also earned Capital One Academic All-District Third Team. Zakrzewski started all 18 games while recording a career-best seven goals, which tied for seventh in the MAC, including two in league play. She also handed out two assists for a career-best 16 points, tying for 10th in the MAC. She tied for second in the MAC with four game-winning goals while notching two goals Aug. 19 vs. IUPUI and Sept. 18 vs. Indiana State, the first multi-goal games of her career. She recorded a season-best five points in the IUPUI game.
In addition to the individual honors, Miami earned the Team Academic Award from the NSCAA with a cumulative team GPA of 3.30. It marked the second straight year the RedHawks have garnered the award and fourth time in program history. All 12 MAC schools earned the honor for compiling a team GPA above 3.0.
To be eligible for the Academic All-MAC Team, student-athletes must have completed at least one year at their institution, competed in at least half the team’s games and have a cumulative GPA above 3.20.
