the 2005 bison schedule · bison soccer 2005 continuing the championship tradition 3 bison...

BISON SOCCER 2005 1continuing the championship tradition

Contents

2005 Schedule .......................................... 1Media Information .................................... 2Bison Facilities ......................................... 3Coaching Staff .......................................... 4Roster ........................................................ 5Season Preview ..................................... 6-7Player Profi les ..................................... 8-132005 Opponents ................................ 14-172004 Season Review ......................... 18-192004 Statistics/Results .......................... 20Div. I Independents Review ................... 21Div. I Independents Stats ....................... 22Individual Honors ................................... 23Individual Records ............................ 24-26Team Records ......................................... 27Bison History .......................................... 28All-Time Results ..................................... 29All-Time Roster .................................. 30-32NDSU at a Glance .............................. 33-35Athletic Dept. ..................................... 36-44

General InfoName: North Dakota State UniversityCity/Zip: Fargo, North Dakota 58105Founded: 1890Enrollment: 12,026 (fall 2004)Nickname: BisonColors: Yellow and Green (PMS 123, 343)Home Field: Ellig Sports Complex (3,500) Surface: Natural grass (no lights)Affi liation: NCAA Division IConference: IndependentPresident: Dr. Joseph A. Chapman Alma Mater: Oregon State, 1965Athletic Director: Gene Taylor Alma Mater: Arizona State, 1980Women’s Athletic Director: Lynn Dorn Alma Mater: Bemidji (Minn.) State, 1972Athletic Dept. Phone: (701) 231-8981Ticket Offi ce Phone: (888) 231-NDSU (6378)

HistoryFirst Year of Soccer: 1995 (10 seasons)All-Time Record: 98-70-9 (.579)Years in NCAA Tournament: OneLast NCAA Tournament: 1999 (Division II)Finish: Central Region Runner-UpLast Postseason Opponent: Northern KentuckyResult: Lost 1-0

Team InfoHead Coach: Pete Cuadrado Alma Mater: Texas Christian, 2000 Record at NDSU: 16-14-3 (2 years) Career Record: 16-14-3 (2 years) Email: [email protected] Offi ce Phone: (701) 231-9471Best Time to Reach Coach: MorningsAssistant Coach: John Ross Alma Mater: Northeastern Illinois, 2000Assistant Coach: Matt Howe Alma Mater: Oral Roberts, 1996 Faculty Representative: Dr. Tim SellnowDirector of Sports Medicine: Scott Woken2004 Record: 5-11-1Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 6/3Starters Returning/Lost: 13/4

The 2005 Bison ScheduleDATE OPPONENT SITE TIMEThur, Aug. 18 JAMESTOWN (Exhibition) FARGO 4 p.m.Fri, Aug. 26 # vs. Troy New Orleans, La. 5 p.m.Sun, Aug. 28 # vs. Alabama New Orleans, La. NoonThur, Sept. 1 MARY FARGO 4 p.m.Sun, Sept. 4 NORTHERN IOWA FARGO NoonFri, Sept. 9 vs. Drake Omaha, Neb. 4:30 p.m.Sun, Sept. 11 at Creighton Omaha, Neb. 2:30 p.m.Tue, Sept. 13 at Missouri Columbia, Mo. 7 p.m.Sun, Sept. 18 WISCONSIN-GREEN BAY FARGO NoonFri, Sept. 23 % vs. Valparaiso Omaha, Neb. 4:30 p.m.Sun, Sept. 25 % vs. Grambling State Omaha, Neb. 11 a.m.Fri, Sept. 30 at UC Riverside Riverside, Calif. 1 p.m. PTSun, Oct. 2 at UC Irvine Irvine, Calif. 1 p.m. PTThur, Oct. 6 at Weber State Ogden, Utah 3:30 p.m. MTSat, Oct. 8 at Southern Utah Cedar City, Utah 3 p.m. MTFri, Oct. 14 NORTHERN COLORADO FARGO 3 p.m.Sun, Oct. 16 MONTANA FARGO NoonFri, Oct. 21 UTAH VALLEY STATE FARGO 3 p.m.Sun, Oct. 23 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE FARGO NoonSun, Oct. 30 at Western Illinois Macomb, Ill. 1 p.m.

BISON SOCCER

Credits: The North Dakota State University soccer media/recruiting guide was written and edited by Jason Dormeyer, NDSU athletic media relations assistant. Photography by Bob Nelson and the NDSU University Relations offi ce. Covers designed by Ryan Perreault using Adobe Photoshop CS. Layout done on Adobe InDesign CS. Printed by Knight Printing of Fargo.

For more information, contact:Jason DormeyerAthletic Media Relations Assistant

Box 5600University StationFargo, ND 58105

Offi ce: (701) 231-8047Cell: (701) 306-4054Fax: (701) 231-8022E-mail: [email protected]

The Schedule

# = Tulane University tournament% = Creighton University tournament

Total matches .............20Exhibition .....................1Tournament ..................4Home .............................8Away .............................7Neutral ..........................5

All times are Central, unless noted.

Home matches in BOLD CAPS are played at the Ellig Sports Complex.

BISON SOCCER 20052 continuing the championship tradition BISON SOCCER 2005 continuing the championship tradition

MEDIA RELATIONS

Interviews All requests for interviews with NDSU student-athletes should be made through the athletic media relations offi ce by calling (701) 231-8047. NDSU athletes are routinely available for interviews before and after practice sessions. Postgame interviews will be conducted only upon request. All requests should be made to the athletic media rela-tions staff before or at the conclusion of the contest to make arrange-ments.

Press Row The working press row is located in the press box of the Ellig Sports Complex on the northeast side of the facility. There are electrical outlets available. Space is limited and advance notice of coverage to the athletic media relations offi ce is appreciated.

Information Services Notes and statistics will be available for each home match. Pho-tographs, features, or additional data will be sent upon request. Let us know your needs.

Wire Service Address City/Zip Contact Phone FaxAP Bismarck PO Box 1018 Bismarck, ND 58502 Phyllis Mensing (701) 223-8450 (701) 224-0158AP Fargo PO Box 3026 Fargo, ND 58108 Dave Kolpack (701) 235-1908 (701) 235-3647

Television Address City/Zip Contact Phone FaxWDAY-TV 6 (ABC) 301 8th St. S. Fargo, ND 58103 Steve Hallstrom (701) 241-5332 (701) 241-5358KVLY-TV 11 (NBC) 1350 21st Ave. S. Fargo, ND 58103 Scott Peters (701) 237-5211 (701) 237-5396KXJB-TV 4 (CBS) 1350 21st Ave. S. Fargo, ND 58103 Rich Lodewyk (701) 282-0444 (701) 237-5396KVRR-TV 10 (FOX) 4015 9th Ave. S. Fargo, ND 58103 Scott Heinle (701) 277-1515 (701) 277-9656

Newspaper Address City/Zip Contact Phone FaxNewspaper Address City/Zip Contact Phone FaxNewspaperThe Forum 101 5th St. N. Fargo, ND 58102 Jeff Kolpack (701) 241-5546 (701) 241-5487Grand Forks Herald PO Box 998 Grand Forks, ND 58201 Kevin Fee (701) 780-1127 (701) 795-4603NDSU Spectrum Memorial Union 356 NDSU Keith Dickhudt (701) 231-5262 (701) 231-9402

Radio Address City/Zip Contact Phone FaxWDAY-AM 970 301 8th St. S. Fargo, ND 58103 Scott Miller (701) 241-5332 (701) 241-5383KNDS-LPFM 105.9 1233 N. University Dr. Fargo, ND 58102 Jim Otis (701) 231-6702 NoneKFGO & KVOX-AM 1020 25th St. S. Fargo, ND 58103 Derek Hanson (701) 237-5346 NoneDakota Sports Network PO Box 2027 Fargo, ND 58107 Steve Carlson (701) 237-5000 (701) 280-0861

Major Media Outlets

Photography AreaCredentialed photographers are permitted to shoot in an area

around the playing fi eld within fi ve yards of the sideline. Photographers are not permitted to stand in front of or between the team benches. Requests for photography passes should be made to the athletic media relations offi ce.

Driving DirectionsNorth Dakota State’s home soccer matches and practices are at the Ellig Sports Complex, on the northwest corner of the North Dakota State University campus. From I-94: Use Exit 349B for I-29 northbound toward Grand

Forks. From I-29 Northbound: Use Exit 66 for 12th Avenue North and

turn right. Turn left at 18th Street (the fi rst traffi c signal past the bridge). Turn right on 15th Avenue North. Soccer parking is in the HR lot. From I-29 Southbound: Use Exit 67 for 19th Avenue North and

turn left. Follow 19th Avenue and turn right at 18th Street (the second signal after the underpass). Turn left on 15th Avenue North. Soccer parking is in the HR lot.

GoBison.comThe offi cial Web site for North Dakota State athletics is GoBison.com. Offi cial news releases, team schedules, statistics and player rosters are among the many features for each of NDSU’s 16 intercollegiate teams.

Jeff SchwartzDirector of Athletic Media Relations

Ryan PerreaultAssistant Director of

Athletic Media Relations

Jason DormeyerAthletic Media Relations

Assistant

Glenda KleinAdministrative

Assistant

Bison Sports HotlineCan’t get to the game? Call the IdeaOne Telecom Bison Sports Hotline for results and highlights throughout the year. Dial (701) 231-8997 for women’s sports and (701) 231-8930 for men’s sports.

BISON SOCCER 2005 continuing the championship tradition BISON SOCCER 2005 3continuing the championship tradition

BISON FACILITIES

Completed in the spring of 1997 at a cost of $2.3 million, the Ellig Sports Complex includes two soccer

fi elds, four softball fi elds, and the Schlanser Track. The complex is named for Renola and Sheldon Ellig, who were driving forces in getting the facility built. The track is named in memory of Fred Schlanser Sr. Seating capacity for soccer is 3,500 at the Ellig Sports Complex, where the NDSU women’s soccer team plays its home games on a natural grass surface. Bleacher seating was transplanted from Dacotah Field, the former home fi eld of the Bison football team. A restroom and concession stand building was completed in 2003 near the northwest corner of the fi eld. The facility has an enclosed press box atop the east grandstand that can hold about 20 people comfortably. A separate practice area is available on the west side of the complex. The Bison hold a 47-16-3 all-time record at home, good for a .735 winning percentage. NDSU had its best home cam-paign in 1996, one year before moving into The Ellig, when it went 8-0 at the Cardinal Muench Seminary. The Ellig Sports Complex has also hosted the North Dakota Special Olympics, NCAA softball playoffs, and professional

Ellig Sports Complex and the Bison Sports Arena

soccer exhibitions. NDSU basketball, wrestling and track and fi eld teams com-pete indoors at the Bison Sports Arena, which was completed in 1970 for a cost of $3.1 million to house the Department of Athletics and the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. The Bison Sports Arena has seating capacity for 6,000 fans for college basketball games and wrestling matches. The Bison Sports Arena measures 320 feet wide and 48 feet high. Its 150,639 square feet of space is divided into three levels. A main fl oor of 102,000 square feet includes a wood basketball fl oor and an all-weather artifi cial surface for basketball games, track meets, wrestling meets, and volleyball. Offi ces, lockers and classrooms are also located on the main fl oor including a well-equipped training room with a walk-in whirlpool bath. A seven-lane swimming pool, 75 feet in length, 14 feet deep at the diving end and four feet deep at the shallow end, is located in a second section of the main fl oor. The second-level activity deck includes rac-quetball courts, the McCormick Wrestling Complex, and an extensive weight room.

Left: Aerial view of the Schlanser Track, one component of the Ellig Sports Complex that was built in the spring of 1997 at a cost of $2.3 million.

Below: The view from the northwest looking onto the main soccer fi eld at the Ellig Sports Complex which seats 3,500.

Bottom: The main fl oor of the Bison Sports Arena, which houses a six lane 200-meter oval track, a seven-lane swimming pool, basketball courts, raquetball courts, a weight room, training rooms, locker rooms and offi ces.

Cardinal Muench SeminaryYear Record Pct.1995 3-1 .7501996 8-0 1.000Total 11-1 .917

Ellig Sports ComplexYear Record Pct.1997 5-3 .6251998 6-2-1 .7221999 5-1 .8332000 7-3 .7002001 5-1 .8332002 4-4-1 .5002003 4-4-1 .5002004 0-0 .000Total 36-15-3 .694Overall 47-16-3 .735

Bison Home Records


Pete Cuadrado, in his third season at North Dakota

State, led the Bison to a 5-11-1 record in 2004 in its fi rst season at the Division I level. NDSU fi nished last season with a 1-2 record against fellow D-I Independents and their overall record was tied for fourth best among independents.

In his fi rst year, Cuadrado guided the Bison to an 11-3-2 record. The .750 winning percentage during that 2003 season was the second highest in the history of Bison soccer.

Named head coach in March 2003, he is the third coach in the10-year history of the North Dakota State University program in March 2003.

He came to NDSU from Illinois State University, where he served as an assistant coach for two seasons. Members of the Missouri Valley Conference, the Redbirds compiled an 11-5-3 overall record in 2002 and reached the MVC tournament cham-pionship game. Illinois State went 13-5 in 2001 and won the league’s regular season title.

Prior to working at Illinois State, Cuadrado spent the 2000 season as an assistant at Valparaiso University. He earned his master’s degree in sports administration from Valparaiso in May 2002. The Crusaders fi nished that campaign with the young program’s best mark of 8-9-1.

Cuadrado has been active in coaching Olym-pic Development Program (ODP) teams. His 1986 Indiana State team qualifi ed for the 2002 national tournament and repeated the regional victory in 2003. He has also attained a U.S. Soc-cer “B” license.

Cuadrado began his collegiate soccer career at Northeastern Illinois University, where he started every game and was named team

BISON COACHES

Matt Howe is in his fourth year with the North Dakota State women’s soccer program. He was formerly the head men’s and women’s soccer coach at Bacone College (Okla.) from 2000-01.

Howe was instrumental in Bacone’s transition from NJCAA Division I to NAIA in that two-year period, and was in charge of all aspects of the soccer programs. His men’s teams were 25-8-2 in two years, and his women’s teams went 19-10.

A former staff coach for the Oklahoma Olympic Develop-ment Program, Howe is a 1996 graduate of Oral Roberts

University in health and exercise science. He attained a national “A” coaching license from Butler University in 1999.

Howe played two years of professional soccer with the Tulsa Roughnecks of the United System of Independent Soccer Leagues from 1996-97 and was a four-year starter for ORU from 1992-96. He holds Oklahoma’s Class 5A single-season high school scoring record with 24 goals in 14 games.

John Ross is in his third year at NDSU. Prior to NDSU, Ross worked with the Chicago Fire Reserves and was the head men’s soccer coach at Triton Junior College in River Grove, Ill.

His coaching resume includes stops with the Chicago Sock-ers (assistant coach and head goalkeeper coach) of the Pre-mier Development League and Chicago Cobras (goalkeeper coach) of the W-League in 2000.

Ross was the fi rst player-coach for the Chicago Kickers Soccer Club (Metro League) from 1998-2001. Prior to working

in Chicago, Ross was the women’s assistant coach at Valparaiso University, Ind. (1998-99). He has a national “B” coaching license.

Ross graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University in 2000. He earned an associate’s degree from Triton College in 1995.

john john ROSS

matt HOWE

pete CUADRADO

Born: May 6, 1977Hometown: Fort Worth, TexasCollege Soccer: Northeastern Illinois University;

Texas Christian UniversityPosition: Outside Back, SweeperGraduated: 2000Education: Master’s degree in sports administration,

Valparaiso, 2002; bachelor’s degree in marketing, Texas Christian, 2000

Cuadrado’s RecordYear Team W L T Pct.2004 North Dakota State 5 11 1 .3242003 North Dakota State 11 3 2 .750Head Coach (2 yrs.) 16 14 3 .530

2002 Illinois State 11 5 3 .6582001 Illinois State 13 5 0 .7222000 Valparaiso 8 9 1 .472Asst. Coach (3 yrs.) 32 19 4 .618

Overall (5 yrs.) 48 33 7 .585

captain. He transfered to Texas Christian Uni-versity, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2000, and was a member of the Horned Frogs’ men’s soccer team.

He also played one season of semi-profes-sional soccer for the Chicago Stingers.


BISON ROSTER

NO. NAME POS. HT. YR. HOMETOWN (LAST SCHOOL) 00 Megan Carrica GK 5-9 Fr. Chaska, Minn. (Chaska HS) 0 Karli Kopietz GK 5-9 Jr. Champlin, Minn. (Champlin Park HS)(Minnesota) 1 Jessica Nei GK 5-5 So. St. Cloud, Minn. (Apollo HS) 2 Olivia Cole MF 5-7 Sr. Champlin, Minn. (Champlin Park HS) 3 Nicole Rand MF 5-6 Fr. Plymouth, Minn. (Wayzata HS) 4 Jestina Orlando F 5-4 Fr. Park Ridge, Ill. (Maine South HS) 5 Angie Stenson F 5-5 Sr. Maple Grove, Minn. (Osseo HS) 6 Jami Rozell D 5-5 So. Muskogee, Okla. (Muskogee HS)

9 Becky Skrypek D 5-5 Sr. White Bear Lake, Minn. (White Bear Lake HS)

11 Erin Tierney F 5-7 Sr. White Bear Lake, Minn. (White Bear Lake HS)

20 Kelsey Hohol MF 5-4 So. Calgary, Alberta (Henry Wise Wood HS) 21 Jessica Rodgers F 5-7 Sr. Spearfi sh, S.D. (Spearfi sh HS) 22 Sarah Panzer D 5-7 Jr. Burnsville, Minn. (Lakeville HS) 23 Chelsea Body F 5-10 So. Calgary, Alberta (Henry Wise Wood HS) Head Coach: Pete Cuadrado (3rd season) Assistant Coaches: John Ross (3rd season) and Matt Howe (4th season) Assistant Athletic Trainer: Jennifer Swenson Athletic Training Student Assistants: Cassie Christensen, Julie Strenkowski

ALPHABETICALNo. Name19 Keri Blanchette23 Chelsea Body00 Megan Carrica15 Ashley Chandler 8 Carly Christensen 2 Olivia Cole 7 Erin Ellsworth20 Kelsey Hohol12 Stacey Howell10 Becky Iwanicki 0 Karli Kopietz17 Michelle Martinez 1 Jessica Nei 4 Jestina Orlando22 Sarah Panzer14 Holly Ramaeker 3 Nicole Rand21 Jessica Rodgers16 Patty Romeo 6 Jami Rozell 9 Becky Skrypek 5 Angie Stenson13 Danielle Thompson11 Erin Tierney

PRONOUNCERSKeri Blanchette blan-CHETChelsea Body bah-DEEMegan Carrica cuh-REE-cuhPete Cuadrado quad-RAH-doeKelsey Hohol ho-HOLEMatt Howe rhymes with COWBecky Iwanicki EYE-win-ickyJestina Orlando jess-TEE-nuhKarli Kopietz KOH-pittsJessica Nei rhymes with EYEHolly Ramaeker RAY-may-kerRamaeker RAY-may-kerRamaekerPatty Romeo ROH-me-ohJami Rozell roh-ZELBecky Skrypek SKRY-peckErin Tierney TEAR-nee

BY POSITIONForwards ..................9Midfi elders ...............7Defenders ................5Goalkeepers ............3

BY CLASSFreshmen ................6Sophomores ............7Juniors .....................5Seniors ....................6

BY STATE/PROVINCEMinnesota ..............13Alberta .....................4Manitoba ..................2South Dakota ...........2Illinois .......................1Nebraska .................1Oklahoma ................1

6 Jami Rozell D 5-5 So. Muskogee, Okla. (Muskogee HS) 7 Erin Ellsworth D 5-7 Jr. Lakeville, Minn. (Lakeville HS) 8 Carly Christensen MF 5-8 Sr. New Brighton, Minn. (Irondale HS) 9 Becky Skrypek D 5-5 Sr. White Bear Lake, Minn. (White Bear Lake HS) 10 Becky Iwanicki MF 5-5 Fr. Calgary, Alberta (St. Francis HS) 11 Erin Tierney F 5-7 Sr. White Bear Lake, Minn. (White Bear Lake HS) 12 Stacey Howell F 5-7 Fr. Edmonton, Alberta (Harry Ainlay HS) 13 Danielle Thompson F 5-4 Jr. Alexandria, Minn. (Jefferson HS) 14 Holly Ramaeker MF 5-8 Fr. Omaha, Neb. (Omaha Burke HS) 15 Ashley Chandler D 5-8 Jr. Rapid City, S.D. (Stevens HS) 16 Patty Romeo MF 5-4 So. Winnipeg, Manitoba (Shaftesbury HS) 17 Michelle Martinez F 5-4 So. Winnipeg, Manitoba (Oak Park HS) 19 Keri Blanchette F 5-5 So. Burnsville, Minn. (Burnsville HS) 20 Kelsey Hohol MF 5-4 So. Calgary, Alberta (Henry Wise Wood HS)

Front row (seated, left to right): Michelle Martinez, Jestina Orlando, Angie Stenson, Karli Kopietz, Megan Carrica, Jessica Nei, Kelsey Hohol, Patty Romeo, Jennifer Swensen. Middle row (kneeling): Jami Rozell, Carly Christensen, Olivia Cole, Becky Iwanicki, Keri Blanchette, Stacey Howell, Becky Skrypek, Danielle Thompson. Back row (stand-ing): Pete Cuadrado, Matt Howe, Jessica Rodgers, Sarah Panzer, Holly Ramaeker, Chelsea Body, Ashley Chandler, Erin Tierney, Erin Ellsworth, John Ross, Brad Nordstrom.


SEASON PREVIEW

A year after an all-away schedule while armed with a single senior on the roster, the Bison look forward to a few home contests with a good mix of youth and experience in 2005. For NDSU head coach Pete Cuadra-do’s third season at the helm, the Bison will have a new look in goal and a new look in leadership. Six seniors and fi ve juniors join two consecutive talented groups of recruits to form the deepest team NDSU has possibly ever fi elded. “This off-season we focused on goal-keeping and depth,” Cuadrado said, “We should be able to play a lot of people and rotate people in. The product on the fi eld will be a lot better for the entire length of the game.”

Forwards With nine players fi ghting for three starting nods, the forward position looks to be the most competitive on the roster. All fi ve forwards on last year’s roster return, including the team’s top two scorers in Jessica Rodgers and Michelle Martinez. As a true freshman, Martinez proved to be an offensive sparkplug by leading the squad in goals and assists last year. “Michelle scored against Minnesota and she scored against Creighton,” Cuadrado said. “She tends to show up in big games.” Rodgers returns for her senior year af-

ter climbing up the all-time NDSU scoring list as a junior. A one-versus-one creator, Rodgers was second on the team in goals with four, including the game winner against Northern Iowa. In Erin Tierney and Angie Stenson, NDSU has a pair of se-niors that will make the move from midfi elders to forwards in 2005. The left-footed Tierney adds speed to the front while the skillful Stenson brings quality ball han-dling to the group. Chelsea Body, a starter throughout last season as a de-fender, will also make the move to forward. “She is going to be a handful for some teams because she can strike the ball extremely well and she has good size,” Cuadrado said. In addition, a couple of incom-ing freshmen will look to make an immediate impact for the Bison. Jestina Orlando is a natural scorer out of suburban Chicago and Stacey Howellis a left-footed speedster from Edmonton. Junior Danielle Thompson and sophomore Keri Blanchette will provide even more players to turn to at forward. Thompson saw limited action and Blanch-

ette played in six games with one start as a freshman last year. “With the depth at the position, we will have the luxury of playing who happens to be on their game that particular day,” Cuadrado said. “I think we can run a lot of people at teams and keep a fresh group out there.”

Midfi elders The Bison midfi elders will also have a new look in 2005. Carly Christensen and Kelsey Hohol return as well as position converts Olivia Cole and Patty Romeo. Three true freshmen round out the group and will contend for playing time. After being limited to three games in 2003 due to injury, the gritty Christensen saw action in all 17 matches last year including 16 starting assignments. She fi nished third on the team in points and goals. With 58 games of experience at NDSU, Christensen has a chance to break Amy Masterson’s career participation mark of 76. As a freshman, Hohol saw signifi cant time in all but one match for the Bison. Taking only eights shots on the year, she scored two goals including the game win-ner-against Butler. “Kelsey can run all day long. She is like the Energizer bunny,” Cuadrado said.

Bison Ready to Take On Year Two of Division I A balanced and deep squad looks to learn from 2004 road schedule

ErinTierney

JessicaRodgers

KeriBlanchette


An organizer on the fi eld, the return of Cole solidifi es the bunch with her senior leadership. A forward her fi rst two years on the squad, Cole will also bring an attacking instinct to the position. A standout during spring games, the sophomore Romeo combines a touch of toughness with fl uidity as a midfi elder. “Patty is smooth on the ball. She can always beat the fi rst defender,” Cuadrado said. The freshman class of Holly Ramaek-er, Becky Iwanicky and Nicole Rand will add depth and versatility to the team. “Nicole can play at a number of posi-tions,” Cuadrado said. “We might be a little thin in the back, so she’ll be fi ghting for playing time at a number of places.” With good size, Ramaeker will be looked to support as a defensive midfi elder and a ball-winner. Iwanicki is a smart and quick player who rarely turns the ball over.

Defenders The Bison return three stout defenders from last year’s team, but lose four-year starter Brooke Hartman. Anchoring the defense is the steady Sarah Panzer. In her third year, Panzer acts as a fi eld general from her center defender spot. A strong player in the air, she rarely makes mistakes from her critical position. A pair of fellow juniors will line up along-side Panzer. Ashley Chandler and Ashley Chandler and Ashley Chandler Erin Ellsworth started a combined 24 matches for the Bison in 2004. “Ashley is a hard-nosed player,” Cuadrado said, “We lost our central de-fender right before the season started last year, so we asked her to step in there. She did a very good job for us, but now she’ll be at more of her natural position at the outside backer.” A starter on seven occasions last year, Ellsworth saw time in all but one game as a sophomore. “Erin is always steady and she can handle playing against a big physical team,” Cuadrado said. The moves of Becky Skrypek from midfi elder and Jami Rozell from forward will help recover from the loss of Hartman, who was the team MVP last year. According to Cuadrado, Skrypek strikes the ball well with both feet and has good speed. She also is somebody that carries an edge to her when she plays. A vital member of last year’s stingy de-fense, Rozell plays the part of the team’s “lock-down” defender. “She is one of the toughest girls I’ve

ever met,” Cuadrado said. “She loves a challenge. She takes pride in preventing whoever she’s marked up against to not score.”

Goalkeepers Another position battle looming for the Bison is at the net. Jessica Nei returns to goal after miss-ing all of last year with an ACL injury. Nei posted 36 saves en route to an impressive .098 goals-against average and a 9-1-1 record as a freshman in 2003. “Jess has great technique and is very consistent,” Cuadrado said. “She doesn’t let in any soft goals.” University of Minnesota transfer Karli Kopietz brings size at net for the Bison. Having played against some of the top teams in the country, Kopietz is an experienced goalkeeper after starting 29 matches for the Gophers. Freshman Megan Carrica would have pushed the competition even further if not for a summer injury that will force her to redshirt the season.

The Schedule The Bison are scheduled to play 19 contests including seven home assign-ments. NDSU opens with an exhibition match against Jamestown College before being Bayou-bound for a two-game tourna-ment hosted by Tulane University. The Bison will play Sun Belt Conference member Troy and SEC power Alabama in New Orleans in late August. The fi rst home stand for NDSU features a match against NAIA Mary on Thursday, Sept. 1 and Northern Iowa on Sunday, Sept. 4. “Our home crowd hasn’t seen us for two years,” Cuadrado said, “Where we are now compared to then is like night and day. It will be a different type of game, a lot faster and much more physical than what it was a few years ago.” The match against Mary will be the fi rst regular-sea-son home match since a 4-0 win against St. Cloud State on Nov. 19, 2003. The Bison stay in the Midwest for a trio of con-tests starting with Missouri

SEASON PREVIEW

How the BisonLine Up in 2005

Forwards (9)Forwards (9)Keri Blanchette, Chelsea Body,

Stacey Howell, Michelle Martinez, Jestina Orlando, Jessica Rodgers,

Angie Stenson, Danielle Thompson,

Sarah Panzer, Jami Rozell, Becky Skrypek

Goalkeeper (3)Goalkeeper (3)Megan Carrica, Karli Kopietz,Jessica Nei

Midfi elders (7)Midfi elders (7)Carly Christensen, Olivia Cole, Kelsey Hohol, Becky Iwanicki, Holly Ramaeker, Nicole Rand,

Patty Romeo

Erin Tierney

Defenders (5)Defenders (5)Ashley Chandler, Erin Ellsworth,

Valley Conference runner-up Drake on Fri-day, Sept. 9. Two days later NDSU meets MVC champion Creighton before taking on the Missouri Tigers of the Big 12. The Bison return home for a match against Wisconsin-Green Bay on Sunday, Sept. 18, before heading back to Creighton for their second tournament of the year. A west coast swing with games against UC Riverside, UC Irving, Weber State and Southern Utah follows before a four-game stretch at home in October. Northern Colorado, Montana, Utah Valley State and border rival South Dakota State all head to Fargo to close up the home schedule. The Bison conclude the season at Western Illinois on Oct. 30. “It is one of the harder schedules we could have put together,” Cuadrado said, “We play the top two teams in the Big Sky, the top two in the MVC, and than you throw in Missouri and Alabama. It’s going to be fun. “Last year made us tougher. It brought us together, but last year there were times where you could tell we were all worn out,” Cuadrado said. “Just sleeping in our own beds is going to be such a nice change. The team went through a lot last year, but now is when it pays off and we get to reap the rewards.” As for the home games, Cuadrado added, “It will be nice to see some familiar faces in the crowd for a change.”

the 2005 bison schedule · bison soccer 2005 continuing the championship tradition 3 bison...

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