Women’s Soccer

Category: Women’s Soccer

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.

Merkle earns All-MWC soccer honors; Vikings win Sportsmanship Award

Casey Merkle
Casey Merkle

APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University women’s soccer standout Casey Merkle has been chosen for the All-Midwest Conference team in a vote of league coaches.

Merkle (Tower Lakes, Ill./Barrington), a senior defender/midfielder, was chosen for the second team. This is the second all-conference selection for Merkle, who received honorable mention in 2013.

Merkle finished the season with one goal but played multiple roles for the Vikings. Not only did she help anchor the defense, but she also helped the Vikings get into the attack.

Merkle, who was named a Midwest Conference Player of the Week during her career, finished her career with 15 goals and 11 assists for 41 points. She had a career-high six goals in 2014 and had a career-best five assists in 2013.

Lawrence also earned the league’s Sportsmanship Award in a vote of the league’s coaches.

Berkley scores twice as Vikings, Bucs battle to double-overtime tie

BELOIT, Wis. — The Lawrence University women’s soccer team battled to a 2-2 double-overtime tie with Beloit College in Saturday’s Midwest Conference match at the Strong Stadium Complex.

Ryan Berkley scored a pair of goals for Lawrence (1-14-1, 0-8-1 MWC), but Beloit (4-9-1, 2-6-1) scored two goals in a three-minute span late in the second half to force overtime.

Berkley got the Vikings on the board just 3:23 into the second half with her fourth goal of the season. Berkley then made it 2-0 with a goal at the 52:05 mark.

Beloit cut the lead in half on Courtney Ceurvorst’s goal at the 75:12 mark. The Bucs tied it when Ceurvorst fed Mikino Kumagai, who scored at the 77:58 mark.

Kori Looker made seven saves for Lawrence, which had a 19-15 edge in shots. Tegan Rock made 11 saves for Beloit.

Box score

Tadych records hat trick as Ripon tops Vikings

APPLETON, Wis. — Kaylee Tadych recorded a hat trick Wednesday to lift the Ripon College women’s soccer team to a 6-1 Midwest Conference victory over Lawrence University on Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.

Paige Birschbach had two goals and two assists for the Red Hawks (14-2-1, 5-2-1 MWC).

Birschbach got the scoring started in the sixth minute, but Lawrence (1-14-0, 0-8-0) tied the match at the 17:44 mark.

Ryan Berkley’s shot was redirected by Ripon goalkeeper Diana Meredith, but Casey Merkle was there to stuff in the rebound to tie the match at 1-1.

Ripon then took control as Tadych scored the next two goals, and Birschbach added another to give Ripon a 4-1 lead at the half.

Tadych completed the hat trick with a goal in the 56th minute, and Morgan Johnson scored three minutes later to complete the scoring.

Meredith made three saves to get the win, and Jacie Verstegen played the final 30 minutes and made eight saves. Kori Looker stopped eight shots for the Vikings.

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.

Brooks scores twice to lead Scots past Lawrence

APPLETON, Wis. — Darice Brooks scored a pair of goals Saturday to lead the Monmouth College women’s soccer team to a 2-0 Midwest Conference over Lawrence University on Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.

Brooks scored unassisted at the 13:44 mark to stake Monmouth (6-8-2, 3-5-0 MWC) to a 1-0 lead. The Vikings nearly tied the game just a few minutes later but the Scots survived a scramble in front of the net after Lawrence’s Sarah Zaccarine was sent crashing to the turf.

Brooks then sealed the win with a goal off an assist from Kara-Jade Gordon in the 71st minute.

Nicole Neagle made four saves to pick up the shutout for Monmouth. Kori Looker stopped 15 shots for Lawrence (1-13-0, 0-7-0).

Box score

Early goals lift North Park over Lawrence

APPLETON, Wis. — The North Park University women’s soccer team scored two goals early in the first half Friday and added another insurance goal early in the second half en route to a 4-1 nonconference victory over Lawrence University on Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.

Maja Scharin scored 5:27 into the match and Delaney Kress added another goal just 51 seconds later for a 2-0 lead. Marina Barrios then scored 1:28 into the second half to give North Park (4-9-1) a 3-0 edge.

Lawrence (1-12-0) cut into the margin when Ryan Berkley scored an unassisted goal with 35:56 remaining. Berkley beat a pair of defenders in the corner and then rocketed a shot into the upper corner to trim the lead to 3-1.

North Park then sealed the win with a goal in the final two minutes.

Kori Looker made 15 saves for Lawrence, and Sydney Martinez stopped six shots for North Park.

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.

Early goal lets Pioneers edge Lawrence

GRINNELL, Iowa — The Grinnell College women’s soccer team scored in the fifth minute Sunday and made that goal stand up in a 1-0 Midwest Conference victory over Lawrence University.

Hannah Truesdale scored an unassisted goal just 4:28 into the match to put the Pioneers (6-6-2, 4-2-1 MWC).

Goalkeeper Regan Kasprak made four saves to get the shutout for Grinnell. Kori Looker made 13 saves for the Vikings (1-11-0, 0-6-0).

Box score

Cornell scores in overtime to edge Lawrence

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa — The Cornell College women’s soccer team scored just 1:06 into overtime Saturday to down Lawrence University 2-1 in a Midwest Conference match.

Deidre Franzen scored an unassisted goal at the 91:06 mark to lift the Rams (3-11-0, 1-5-0 MWC) to the victory.

Ashley Quesada had scored in the 65th minute to stake Cornell to a 1-0 lead, but the Vikings (1-10-0, 0-5-0) battled back. Lawrence’s Mari Hubanks scored an unassisted goal at 69:36 to tie it at 1-1.

Kori Looker made eight saves for the Vikings, and Clara Garcia stopped five shots for Cornell.

Box score