.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
Women's Soccer Battles Through Challenging Spring
April 27, 2006 | Women's Soccer
April 27, 2006
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville women's soccer team completed their spring schedule with a record of 3-2-1, despite being forced to play with just two substitutes and without a goalkeeper.
Head Coach Karen Ferguson was especially pleased with the spring.
"After playing several of the top teams in the Region, as well as the full Canadian National Team, we feel this was one of the most challenging spring seasons in the programs history,"
"For us to compete like we did, as well as getting some very good results, it's a real positive heading into the fall," Ferguson added.
With starting goalkeepers Deana Waintraub out recovering from knee surgery and Tiffany Hansen mending a broken bone in her hand, U of L field players Kim DeBolt and Lauren Podvin filled in as GK for the Cards.
The Cards opened the spring with a 2-1 win over Indiana and 1-0 shutout of the ASC Eagles club team on February 25, before being edged by Purdue 3-2 at home one month later.
On April 1, a pair of goals from 2005 First Team All-BIG EAST selection Jamie Craft, and solid defensive effort that limited scoring chances guided the Cards to a 3-0 win over Indiana. Jen Avila added a goal in the win, while DeBolt was solid in goal.
The Cards lost to the Canadian National Team on April 8 in Cardinal Park, an experience that Ferguson feels will help the Cards down the road.
"I thought we played well against one of the top teams in the world. I saw some really positive things and it will really help us at the collegiate level."
A 1-1 tie against Vanderbilt in the feature game of the Blue Chip Showcase was the final test for the Cards.
The Blue Chip Showcase, one of the top recruiting events in the nation, is a premier tournament which attracts teams from all over the country.
"Playing in the feature game of the tournament was a great opportunity for us. Some of the top high school players in the country were in attendance," Ferguson said.
After giving up a fluke first goal, Podvin played an exceptional 85 minutes despite never having played goalkeeper. Monique Gjini converted a penalty kick after Shannon Smyth was taken down in the box to tie the game up.
Louisville returns their top five scorers and 13 players off of the 2005 team that advanced to the BIG EAST tournament quarterfinals, posting an 11-8-0 overall record with a 6-5-0 mark in conference.
