(Brent Schwert)
Men’s Soccer
Juniors Joe Sluhoski and Ryan Pikna lead a talented Lawrence team fresh off of a second-place MWC finish in 2005. The Vikings finished with a 9-7-1 overall record and 7-2 in the conference last season, and lost only four seniors to graduation. Taking over Matt Wolin’s goalkeeping duties this season are sophomore Hunter Ryan and freshman Steve Schnorr, who have each already recorded a shutout.
The 2006 squad started the season strong, winning their first three including two at the Luther College Invitational where the Vikings beat host Luther College 2-0 and St. Scholastica 2-0 to win the tournament. Not a goal was allowed in the team’s first 180 minutes of action. LU then dropped two in a row, to MWC foe Beloit and to WIAC powerhouse UW-Oshkosh. Tuesday’s game against archrivals Ripon turned out to be the first tight match of the season for the young Vikings, as Sluhoski netted the winning goal in the 90th minute to down the Redhawks 2-1.
Lawrence has three more home games in September, including a Sept. 30 showdown with MWC rivals Lake Forest.Women’s Soccer
A slow start to the season including two games the Vikings let slip away after having early leads might break a team’s spirit before the bulk of the season has begun. The Vikings returned 15 letter-winners from last year’s 5-8-1 team that just missed the conference tournament, and will try to put their early troubles behind them as the all-important conference season is fast approaching.
This year’s team is led by junior goalkeeper Candice Gangl whose five shutouts last season were good enough for third all-time in the LU single season record books. Gangl will be helped offensively this season by sophomore Alison Blegen and junior Julianne Eggum, both midfielders. Blegan started the season at full speed, netting two goals against Marian in the first game of the season.
The Vikes picked up a big win Wednesday evening, beating Ripon 1-0 at Ripon. After two home non-conference games this week, the women play host to MWC rivals Lake Forest in a doubleheader with the men on Sept. 30. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m.
Volleyball
2006 Lawrence volleyball is led by seniors Stephanie Kliethermes and Alicia Onisawa. Kleithermes leads the team in digs with 217 and Onisawa leads the team in kills with 168. The Vikings have started the season 5-9, including two key wins over fellow Wisconsin liberal arts rivals Edgewood. Coming up is the heart of the MWC season as the Vikes travel to Grinnell this weekend for games against Grinnell, Illinois College and Monmouth. This begins a long road trip for LU, who won’t play at home again until Oct. 5 when they host Ripon at 7:00 p.m. at Alexander Gymnasium.
