Men’s Soccer

Category: Men’s Soccer

Greer chosen to lead Lawrence men’s soccer program

Will Greer

APPLETON, Wis. — Will Greer has been chosen to lead the Lawrence University men’s soccer program, Director of Athletics Christyn Abaray announced today.

Greer, who served as the interim head coach for the Vikings in 2016, brings a wealth of coaching experience at multiple levels and a diverse network of soccer connections.

“I am excited to have Will officially join Lawrence University Athletics,” Abaray said. “Will stepped in and up to coach our men’s team in the midst of this past season, connected with various offices and individuals across campus to better understand Lawrence and how we operate. He has hit the recruiting trail hard and is working to establish a new sense of the men’s soccer program.”

Greer was serving as the youth coaching director at Rush Wisconsin Soccer Club in Middleton, Wis., and as a head coach in the Olympic Development Program at the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association.

“It’s just really exciting to be back here in Appleton, to be part of the program, part of the school, part of the community,” Greer said. “This is just a great place.”

Greer was named interim head coach in September but was a familiar face to the upperclassmen on the team. Greer served as an assistant coach with the Vikings for six seasons from 2007-12. The Vikings made three Midwest Conference Tournament appearances during that stretch.

“I felt and feel confident in Will, knowing how he intends to make the appropriate changes to our culture, moving us in the direction of sustained success both on and off of the field,” Abaray said. “With his soccer knowledge, experience and widespread connections, his demonstrated abilities to jump into an unlikely situation and make positive change and progress, his enthusiasm about the future of the program, and his dedication, familiarity and affinity for the program, we are encouraged about what is in store for Lawrence men’s soccer.”

Greer, a 2003 Marian University graduate, led Lawrence to a 5-7-1 record in games he coached in 2016, and the Vikings finished with a 6-10-1 overall mark.

“Changing the way we played on the field was priority No. 1, and changing the culture off the field is important as well,” Greer said. “The guys have a lot of passion, a lot of heart, and that’s pretty contagious when you’re around them. Being around our guys re-energized me in terms of looking for a college coaching job. Coaching at a higher level like this has been exciting. It has really lit a spark inside me.”

The Vikings have 11 seniors on the 2016 team so Greer began recruiting immediately back in September. He believes the hard work will pay off with an influx of talent for 2017.

“We want to get the roster to 28 to 30 players and we’re on track to do that,” Greer said. “When prospective student-athletes come up to see the school and meet the guys, they’re very impressed.”

Banta Bowl collects award from American Sports Builders Association

Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl was honored with an award from the American Sports Builders Association.
Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl was honored with an award from the American Sports Builders Association.

APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University’s Banta Bowl has always been a home to winners, but the facility itself is now a winner as well.

The recently renovated Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl has received an award from the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA). The new-look Banta Bowl, designed by Rettler Corp., of Stevens Point, Wis., and constructed by The Boldt Co., of Appleton, was honored in the Distinguished Field Facilities category.

“It is exciting to be honored with this award,” Lawrence Director of Athletics Christyn Abaray said. “The foresight and vision displayed to show what this could be, and the deliberation and expertise utilized to make the Banta Bowl a reality are commendable and remarkable. We want to thank everyone who supported and continue to support this effort. This is an example of how impactful positive change can be.”

The ASBA, the national organization for builders and suppliers of materials for athletic facilities, presents these awards annually to facilities built by ASBA members and exemplify construction excellence.

The 3,634-seat Banta Bowl, tucked into a natural ravine just south of the Fox River, underwent the major renovation during the spring and summer of 2015.

Renovations began with raising and widening the playing field to accommodate a soccer pitch. The stadium, home to Lawrence football since 1965, now also houses the Lawrence men’s and women’s soccer teams. The natural grass surface was replaced with FieldTurf to allow for more and varied use of the stadium.

The fan experience was greatly improved with aluminum grandstand seating and an LED scoreboard that houses a new sound system.

Fans enter the Banta Bowl through an inviting plaza at the north end of the stadium. The new Gilboy Athletic Center houses Lawrence’s football locker room, an athletic training room, an officials’ room, concessions, ticketing and restrooms. The building was named for Steve ’62 and Joan Gilboy, who provided a leadership gift for the stadium renovation.

The naming of Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl honors Lawence’s legendary football coach and director of athletics, Ron Roberts, at the behest of Tom Rogers ’65, who gave the lead gift for the renovation.

Lawrence surpassed the goal of $4.5 million to renovate the stadium, and the final piece of the renovation is set to be completed in 2017. The original press box will be replaced with a new multi-level facility for game control personnel, the media and coaches. It is expected to be ready for games in the fall of 2017.

“This was an incredibly collaborative endeavor that bore a result of which all involved can be very proud,” Abaray said.

“Thanks to the leadership of Lawrence for this project from the Board of Trustees, President Mark Burstein, and Vice President for Alumni and Development Cal Husmann. In addition, thank you to Mike Szkodzinski, Director of Athletics/Head Hockey Coach at the time of planning and construction, and Rettler Corporation for their significant contribution to the renovation. Finally, thank you to Lynn Hagee, instrumental in the aesthetic appeal of the Banta Bowl, for her assistance.”

The football teams at Lawrence have embraced the Banta Bowl and made it a home to champions. The Vikings, under the leadership of Roberts, captured seven of their 16 Midwest Conference titles since moving into the stadium in 1965.

The Banta Bowl would not have been possible without the generosity of George Banta Jr. ’10. Originally called the Lawrence Bowl, the stadium was an anonymous gift from Banta and was renamed after his death in 1978.

Deremo, Pasquesi earn All-MWC soccer honors

Mike Deremo
Mike Deremo
Dominic Pasquesi
Dominic Pasquesi

APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University men’s soccer players Mike Deremo and Dominic Pasquesi have both been chosen for the All-Midwest Conference team in a vote of league coaches.

Deremo (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) and Pasquesi (Highland Park, Ill./Highland Park) were both chosen for the second team.

Deremo, a senior forward, was selected to the all-conference team for the third time in his career. He was a second-team pick in both 2013 and 2015.

Deremo finished the season with six goals and six assists for 18 points this season. He scored goals against Lake Forest and Ripon during league play and scored two goals in matches against both Edgewood and Lakeland.

Pasquesi was selected for the all-conference team for the first time. A smart and steady performer, Pasquesi’s value to the team was evident despite the fact he did not pick up a point this season. Pasquesi was a fine two-way player, helping the Vikings defensively while also distributing the ball to build the attack.

Lawrence finished the season with a 6-10-1 overall record and took eighth in the Midwest Conference with a 2-6-1 record.

Second-half goal lets Beloit edge Vikings

BELOIT, Wis. — A goal 10 minutes into the second half Saturday was the only scoring as the Beloit College men’s soccer team edged Lawrence University 1-0 in a Midwest Conference game at the Strong Stadium Complex.

Beloit’s Martin Garrett-Curie scored at the 55:52 mark the game’s only goal.

Jere Bauer made 10 saves to earn the shutout for Beloit (7-8-1, 2-6-1 MWC). Joe Krivit stopped five shots for the Vikings (6-10-1, 2-6-1).

Lawrence had a 16-11 edge in shots for the game.

Box score

Late goals push Vikings past Ripon

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University men’s soccer team scored two goals in the final 12 minutes Tuesday to carve out a 3-1 Midwest Conference victory over Ripon College on Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.

Mike Deremo and Taylor Reifert both had a goal and an assist for the Vikings (6-9-1, 2-5-1 MWC), who have beaten Ripon four straight times.

Lawrence broke a 1-1 tie on Jack Blodgett’s goal off a pass from Deremo at the 78:42 mark. Deremo made it 3-1 when he beat a pair of Ripon defenders and rifled a shot past Jimmy Amedeo at the 85:03 mark. Reifert and Harry Broderick picked up assists on Deremo’s goal.

Reifert got the scoring started just 1:14 into the match when he scored on a rebound. Ripon (4-12-0, 0-8-0) tied the match at 1-1 on Ben Vorpahl’s goal in the 42nd minute.

Joe Krivit made five saves to pick up the win for the Vikings. Amedeo stopped 13 shots for Ripon. The Vikings enjoyed a 24-10 edge in shots.

Box score

The Week Ahead: October 24-30

APPLETON, Wis. — A trio of fall teams wrap up the regular season this week, and the Lawrence University volleyball team will have to wait to determine its fate on earning a berth in the Midwest Conference Tournament.

LU Sports-VikingSoccer-PMS294MEN’S SOCCER (5-9-1, 1-5-1 MWC)

Opponent: Lawrence vs. Ripon (4-11-0, 0-7-0 MWC)

When and Where: Tuesday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m., Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.

Webcast: Lawrence vs. Ripon

Series: Lawrence has a 32-17-2 advantage in a series that started in the Vikings’ first season of soccer, 1974. The Vikings have won three straight and are 10-3-2 in their last 15 games against the Red Hawks.

Opponent: Lawrence at Beloit (6-8-1, 1-6-1 MWC)

When and Where: Saturday, Oct. 29, noon, Strong Stadium Complex, Beloit, Wis.

Webcast: Lawrence at Beloit

Series: Beloit has a 28-20-2 lead in the series that dates back to 1974. Lawrence has won four straight over the Bucs, and the Vikings have a 7-1-1 mark in their last nine games against Beloit.

Fast Fact: Lawrence sophomore Taylor Reifert has at least one point in five of his last six games. He took over the team scoring lead with a goal against Monmouth this past Saturday and now has seven this season.

LU Sports-VikingSoccer-PMS294WOMEN’S SOCCER (1-13-0, 0-7-0 MWC)

Opponent: Lawrence vs. Ripon (13-2-1, 4-2-1 MWC)

When and Where: Wednesday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m., Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.

Webcast: Lawrence vs. Ripon

Series: In a series that stretches back to 1982, Lawrence has a 29-16-1 lead in the rivalry. The Vikings have won two of the last three games and own a 14-3-1 mark against the Red Hawks since the 1998 season.

Opponent: Lawrence at Beloit (4-9-0, 2-6-0 MWC)

When and Where: Saturday, Oct. 29, 2:30 p.m., Strong Stadium Complex, Beloit, Wis.

Webcast: Lawrence at Beloit

Series: Beloit owns a 22-18-7 edge in a series that dates back to 1982. Beloit’s win last season snapped Lawrence’s five-game unbeaten streak (4-0-1) in the rivalry.

Fast Fact: Ryan Berkley scored her team-leading third goal of the season against North Park last Friday.

LU Sports-VikingHockey-PMS301HOCKEY (0-0-0)

Opponent: Lawrence at No. 11 UW-Eau Claire (0-0-0)

When and Where: Friday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m., Hobbs Ice Center, Eau Claire, Wis.

Webcast: Lawrence at UWEC

Series: UW-Eau Claire holds a 8-1-0 lead in a series that started in the 2000-01 season. Lawrence picked up a victory against the Blugolds during the 2009-10 season.

Opponent: Lawrence at No. 1 UW-Stevens Point (0-0-0)

When and Where: Saturday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m., Willett Arena, Stevens Point, Wis.

Webcast: Lawrence at UWSP

Series: UW-Stevens Point holds a 7-1-0 lead in a series that started in the 2002-03 season. The Vikings topped the Pointers 5-4 in the 2010-11 season.

Fast Fact: Lawrence opens its 31st hockey season with a pair of ranked opponents, including the top-ranked Pointers. UW-Stevens Point won its fifth NCAA Division III championship with a 5-1 victory over St. Norbert last season.

LU Sports-VikingCrossCountry-PMS294CROSS COUNTRY

Event: Midwest Conference Championships

When and Where: Saturday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m., The Beloit Club, Beloit, Wis.

Scoring: AccuRace Timing

Fast Fact: The Lawrence men are serious Midwest Conference title contenders but will have to fight it out with Grinnell and Lake Forest. The Pioneers have won the last four league titles and are the favorite again on Saturday. Lawrence standout Josh Janusiak owns the league’s fastest time this season, and is supported by freshman sensation Joe Kortenhof and returning all-conference performers Max Edwards and Ben Schaefer.

LU Sports-VikingVolleyball-PMS294VOLLEYBALL (10-14, 5-4 MWC)

Opponent: Lawrence vs. Edgewood (16-13)

When and Where: Saturday, Oct. 29, 1 p.m., Woltzen Gymnasium, Plymouth, Wis.

Webcast: None.

Series: Lawrence holds an 8-7 edge over the Eagles since 2000, but Edgewood has won seven in a row against the Vikings.

Opponent: Lawrence at Lakeland (14-13)

When and Where: Saturday, Oct. 29,  3 p.m., Woltzen Gymnasium, Plymouth, Wis.

Webcast: None.

Series: Lakeland has a 27-8 advantage in a series that dates back to 1980. The teams have split the last four meetings, with Lawrence winning in 2010 and 2011, and Lakeland posting victories in 2013 and 2015.

Fast Fact: All eyes for the Vikings will be on the Ripon-St. Norbert match on Wednesday night. Should the Green Knights knock off Ripon in the Midwest Conference finale for the Red Hawks, that would give Ripon four league losses. Lawrence also has four losses in conference play, but the Vikings hold the tiebreaker over Ripon and that might mean a Midwest Conference Tournament berth for Lawrence.

LU Sports-VikingFootball-PMS294FOOTBALL (2-5, 1-4 MWC)

Opponent: Lawrence vs. Grinnell (0-7, 0-5 MWC)

When and Where: Saturday, Oct. 29, 1 p.m., Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl

Webcast: Lawrence vs. Grinnell

Series: In a series that goes back to 1940, Grinnell holds a 31-27 lead based on the strength of the Pioneers’ current five-game win streak in the rivalry. Grinnell is only halfway to the longest win streak in the series. Lawrence won 10 straight from 1941-54.

Fast Fact: Lawrence plays its final home game of the season on Saturday with seven seniors trotting onto Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl for the final time. Receiver Trevor Spina and tackle Jackson Straughn represent seniors on the offense, linebacker Jake Lueck (currently out due to injury), safety Wes Hetcher, lineman Josh Mosley and cornerback Nick Ulloa represent the defense. Kicker Pat O’Mahoney is the Vikings’ senior placekicker.

LU Sports-VikingSwimDive-PMS294MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SWIMMING

Event: Lawrence vs. Ripon

When and Where: Saturday, Oct. 29, 1 p.m., Boldt Natatorium.

Webcast: None.

Fast Fact: Lawrence opened its season at the massive All-Wisconsin Showcase last weekend and faced top competition from the state’s NCAA Division I programs and schools from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.  Paige Witter and Emei Thompson posted the best finishes for the Vikings as Witter was 10th in the 200-yard butterfly and Thompson was 10th in the 500 freestyle.

First-half burst allows Scots to edge Lawrence

APPLETON, Wis. — The Monmouth College men’s soccer team scored a pair of goals in a span of 2:51 in the first half Saturday and held on for a 2-1 Midwest Conference victory over Lawrence University on Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.

Lawrence (5-9-1, 1-5-1 MWC) had grabbed a 1-0 lead at the 30:13 mark when Taylor Reifert rifled a ball into the upper right corner of the goal.

The Scots (5-9-1, 4-3-0) evened the score at 1-1 just 1:21 later when Justin Seeley’s bending ball got past Joe Krivit. Monmouth then took the lead at the 34:25 mark when Agustin Miranda scored off assists from Daniel Wells and Mario Sanchez.

Chase Stroud kept the Vikings off the board for the rest of the match and finished with five saves for Monmouth. Krivit stopped seven shots for Lawrence.

Box score

The Week Ahead: October 17-23

APPLETON, Wis. — The focus turns to Lawrence University volleyball this week as the Vikings look to wrap up a berth in the four-team Midwest Conference Tournament. Lawrence travels to Grinnell and Cornell this weekend and a pair of wins would guarantee a spot in the tournament.

LU Sports-VikingSoccer-PMS294WOMEN’S SOCCER (1-11-0, 0-6-0 MWC)

Opponent: Lawrence vs. North Park (2-8-1)

When and Where: Friday, Oct. 21, 1 p.m., Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.

Webcast: Lawrence vs. North Park

Series: This is the first meeting between the teams.

Opponent: Lawrence vs. Monmouth (5-8-2, 2-5-0 MWC)

When and Where: Saturday, Oct. 22, 1:30 p.m., Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.

Webcast: Lawrence vs. Monmouth

Series: Lawrence holds a 10-5-3 lead in a series that began in 1997. The teams have split the last two games, with Lawrence winning 1-0 in 2014 and Monmouth winning 1-0 a season ago.

Fast Fact: Rookie goalkeeper Kori Looker turned in a very solid weekend as she posted a 1.49 goals against average and .875 save percentage as the Vikings played at Cornell and Grinnell.

LU Sports-VikingVolleyball-PMS294VOLLEYBALL (10-12, 5-2 MWC)

Opponent: Lawrence at Grinnell (11-9, 3-2 MWC)

When and Where: Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m., Darby Gymnasium, Grinnell, Iowa.

Webcast: Lawrence at Grinnell

Series: Lawrence leads the series 9-7 and has won four of the last six matches against Grinnell. The Vikings defeated the Pioneers 3-1 a season ago.

Opponent: Lawrence at Cornell (15-6, 7-0 MWC)

When and Where: Saturday, Oct. 22, 11:30 a.m., Small Center, Mount Vernon, Iowa.

Webcast: Lawrence at Cornell

Series: Cornell holds a 4-2 edge in the series, and the Rams have won the last four matches.

Fast Fact: Junior Cyra Bammer was named the Midwest Conference Defensive Player of the Week after posting a career-high 35 digs against Knox. She also became the ninth player in Lawrence history to post 1,000 career digs. The Vikings have now won five straight conference matches and are in third place in the Midwest Conference. Lawrence also controls its own destiny in terms of making the four-team MWC Tournament. If Lawrence wins both matches this weekend, the Vikings would make the tournament.

LU Sports-VikingSoccer-PMS294MEN’S SOCCER (5-8-1, 1-4-1 MWC)

Opponent: Lawrence vs. Monmouth (4-9-1, 3-3-0 MWC)

When and Where: Saturday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m., Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.

Webcast: Lawrence vs. Monmouth

Series: Lawrence holds a 12-5-2 lead in a series that was first played in 1997. The Vikings won last year’s game 1-0, and Lawrence has won three of the last four against the Scots.

Fast Fact: Lawrence played short-handed again this weekend as starting goalkeeper Joe Krivit remained out of the lineup. High-scoring forward Mike Deremo also was out with an injury. Taylor Reifert had his four-match streak with a point snapped Sunday at Grinnell.

LU Sports-VikingFootball-PMS294FOOTBALL (2-4, 1-3 MWC)

Opponent: Lawrence at Lake Forest (5-2, 3-2 MWC)

When and Where: Saturday, Oct. 22, 1 p.m., Farwell Field, Lake Forest, Ill.

Webcast: Lawrence at Lake Forest

Series: Lawrence holds a 27-22 lead over the Foresters in a series that dates all the way back to 1902. The teams played regularly from the early part of the 20th century until 1935. The teams did not meet from 1936-73. Lake Forest joined the Midwest Conference in 1974, and the teams have played nearly every year since.

Fast Fact: Lawrence defensive lineman Chris Edwards blocked his first career kick when he knocked aside an extra point in the first quarter against St. Norbert. Linebacker Jake Gostisha continues to show his nose for the ball with his fourth interception of the season against the Green Knights. The four interceptions leads the Midwest Conference.

LU Sports-VikingSwimDive-PMS294MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SWIMMING

Event: All-Wisconsin Showcase

When and Where: Saturday, Oct. 22, 1 p.m., Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center, Brown Deer, Wis.

Webcast: None.

Fast Fact: Lawrence opens the season at the All-Wisconsin Meet for the second consecutive year. This marks the start of the ninth season for Lawrence head coach Drew Fleek.

Big second half leads Grinnell past Lawrence

GRINNELL, Iowa — The Grinnell College men’s soccer team scored four second-half goals Sunday en route to a 5-0 Midwest Conference win over Lawrence University.

The Pioneers (8-5-1, 4-2-1 MWC) scored in the 38th minute and took a 1-0 lead into the break. Grinnell then got two goals apiece from Kyle Buse and Antonio DiMarco in the second half to seal the win.

Major May made four saves to get the shutout for Grinnell. Robert Meiser made five saves for the Vikings (5-8-1, 1-4-1).

Box score

Vikings, Rams battle to overtime tie

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa — The Lawrence University men’s soccer team battled to a 2-2 double-overtime tie on Saturday in a Midwest Conference match with Cornell College.

The teams went scoreless through the 20 minutes over overtime, but Lawrence (5-7-1, 1-3-1 MWC) had the better of the play in the extra session. Lawrence had a 9-6 edge in shots in the overtime and a 22-14 edge for the match.

Taylor Reifert got the scoring started for Lawrence when he found the back of the net off a pass from Jawad Alweleidat at the 8:55 mark.

Cornell (6-4-4, 1-3-2) got a goal from Abubakar Shehu in the 23rd minute to tie it, and then took a 2-1 lead on Facundo Benavidez’s goal at 60:00.

Jack Blodgett then forced the overtime with his goal off an assist from Reifert at 73:36.

Robert Meiser made four saves for Lawrence, and Jerome Richards stopped 12 shots for the Rams.

Box score