Women's Soccer Hold Marian Scoreless in Opener
Aug 29, 2014
ELMHURST, Ill. - The University of Dubuque women's soccer team opened their 2014 season with success on Friday night with a 2-0 victory. The Spartans picked tied for #3 in the Iowa Conference pre-season poll and return 10 starters and 24 letterwinners from last season's 16-5-0 team. The Spartans once again held their opponent scoreless and were led by senior goalkeeper Tiffany Duncan, an all-IIAC second-teamer last season. A year ago she played in all 21 games and posted an 0.86 goals-against average, a .809 save percentage and 76 saves. She led all IIAC players in goals-against average and save percentage and ranked fifth in saves while figuring into eight shutouts (seven solo). In conference play, Duncan posted a 1.15 goals-against average, a .692 save percentage and 18 saves. She ranked third in the league in goals-against average and sixth in save percentage in 2013. In tonight's contest she finished with three saves as UD's defense held Marian to eight total shots.
The Spartans dominated the offensive output by finishing the opener with 35 shots and 16 shots on goal. Katie Lynn led with 11 shots with six on goal. Kyleigh McLaughlin finished with five shots and two on goal. Lisa Rosas and Megan Siepler both finished with four shots. Senior forward Siepler, a first-team all-IIAC honoree in 2013, tied for second on the team with 20 points on eight goals and four assists a season ago. She ranked fifth among all IIAC players in shots (61) and goals and tied for sixth in points. In conference play, she launched a league-leading 31 shots resulting in three goals, including a game-winner.
UD scored both goals in the opening half when Katie Lynn scored unassisted from the top left corner at 27:52. As time was winding down the Spartans Rosas took the lob pass from Lauren Waddell and scored at 35:48 to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead. UD ended the opening half with 21 shots and a pair of goals. Senior defenders Waddell and Kelsey Graefen return to lead a defense which led all IIAC schools in fewest goals allowed (18) and goals-against average (0.85) in 2013. Waddell, a two-time all-conference pick, registered two assists in 21 games a year ago. Graefen, a 2013 second-team all-conference pick, ranked fifth on the team in scoring with 10 points on four goals and two assists. She also had a pair of game-winning goals in 2013.
Coach Jason Berna used the bench as 18 student-athletes saw action and 12 Spartans ended the night with a shot in the win. The Spartans continue their season on Saturday, August 30 against Lawrence University at 3:00 p.m. in Appleton, Wis.
