Women's Sectional Previews

By James Matson

Third Round - Friday, Nov. 16

Quarterfinals - Saturday, Nov. 17

Sectional Final, 5:00 pm CT

How they reached the Sweet 16

Hardin-Simmons: ASC Automatic Berth (AQ) | 1st Rnd: W1-0 Chapman (N) | 2nd Rnd: T2-2(2ot-pks) Trinity (Tx.) (A)

Wheaton (Ill.): CCIW Automatic Berth (AQ) | 1st Rnd: W4-0 Webster (H) | 2nd Rnd: W7-0 UW-Whitewater (H)

Washington U.: UAA Automatic Berth (AQ) | 1st Rnd: W3-0 Transylvania (H) | 2nd Rnd: W3-2(ot) Thomas More (H)

Concordia-M'head: MIAC Automatic Berth (AQ) | 1st Rnd: W2-1 Lake Forest (N) | 2nd Rnd: W3-2 Cal Lutheran (N)

2012 Statistical Overview

Hardin-Simmons: 18-0-2 (.950) | 4.27 GSA, 0.29 GAA (+3.98) | Avg. D-III OWP: .537 | Last Ten: 9-0-1

Wheaton (Ill.): 19-3-2 (.833) | 3.13 GSA, 0.71 GAA (+2.42) | Avg. D-III OWP: .631 | Last Ten: 8-1-1

Washington U.: 18-1-1 (.925) | 2.54 GSA, 0.69 GAA (+1.86) | Avg. D-III OWP: .619 | Last Ten: 9-0-1

Concordia-M'head: 17-3-2 (.818) | 2.01 GSA, 0.82 GAA (+1.19) | Avg. D-III OWP: .588 | Last Ten: 9-0-1

Hardin-Simmons Season Review

Unbeaten on the year, the Cowgirls are having what looks like another 2010-like season. That was the year that HSU went 24-0-1 and won the title. The most outstanding fact about Hardin-Simmons this season is their goals against average (GAA) statistic: .30. When examined against their goals per game (GSA) of 4.4, the Cowgirls have incredible 4.10 goals per game differential. HSU does have the lowest OWP of the sectional group, but we’ve seen this theme before: in 2010, that differential was 4.28. The only two blemishes on the current schedule are the results from matches with rival Trinity (Tex.): a scoreless draw in September, and the 2-2 draw/shootout win against the Tigers in the second round.

Junior Courtney Cramer leads the Cowgirls in goals with 14, but the points leader for the team (no surprise) is senior Katie Kuykendall with 11 goals and 23 assists. The team has six women with five goals or more on the season. Freshman keeper Lexi Stinson and the defense is the other side of that equation. Strong play at all positions in the back contributes towards the goal differential, but it also the mature play of Stinson that leads to wins. This success includes confidence in shootouts: Hardin-Simmons advanced past rival Trinity in PKs last weekend, and have used the shootout to win a number of key matches over the past four seasons.

Wheaton (Ill.) Season Review

Wheaton started the season with six empty positions on the roster due to graduations. But with a number of proven underclassmen to choose from, and some hopeful newcomers, the Thunder had a nucleus from which to build. Expectations for continuing the momentum in 2012 loomed large, as the 2011 seniors had enjoyed a run of success both in the regular season and the post-season, having made it to two National Championship matches in their four years. This year’s squad, with a heaver dose of freshman, answered the call and have stepped up, cruising into the Sweet Sixteen. The Thunder depends on the leadership of Kari Shannon in the middle and Laura Karsten on the back line. These two allow junior Leah DeMoss (21g, 10a), freshman Ally Witt (19g, 6a), and sophomore Sarah Guidera (12g, 6a) to light up the board offensively.

Wheaton started the year strong, winning their first six matches, including a surprising 4-0 shutout of Wash. U. But after that victory, consistancy faded with a 1-2 loss at Wisc.-Eau Claire, a 5-1 win at Loras, and a draw with Elmhurst. But as the season ended and CCIW Tournament got underway, Wheaton found their consistency, clinching the AQ and moving into the third round. The 2012 Thunder squad mirrors last season's squad in most statistics, And like last year, they struggled through a bit of a mid-season slump. But the strong challenges from CCIW foes Augustana and Illinois Wesleyan as well as regional rivals Wash. U. and Chicago makes for a team that is storm-tested, and perhaps that fact as much as any other accounts for Wheaton's long-term success in the post-season.

Washington U. Season Review

Wash. U. has enjoyed a stellular season, moving through their schedule with consistent wins, and a draw with Emory, who was ranked No. 1 at the time. The only blemish in the season, and its an odd one, is the 0-4 loss to Wheaton. Perhaps it was just a mid-season blip, as the Bears continued past the loss and to to the top of the UAA.

The Bears offensive power depends to some extent on sophomore Anna Zambricki (14g, 6a), who has two hat tricks on the season, as well as six game winning goals. Lillie Toespern (7g, 7a) also adds to the assertive attack that produces shots and corner kicks. For the season, the Bears outshot their opponents by 55% and had 123 corners to their opponents 65.

Clara Jaques, the Bears senior keeper, has 53 saves on the season with 13 goals allowed. Adding to Jaques' experience are players like senior captain Nicole Martin (1g, 2a) and junior Katie Doyle 2g, 6a) on the back line. Martin was first team All-UAA in 2012.

Concordia-M'head Season Review

Over the past five years, Concordia has built a reputation based on the team's ability to compete with strong regional programs, and collect NCAA Tournament appearences. The current season started with a stumble as the Cobbers went 2-1-1 in their first four matches. The bright side of that streak was their strong performance against ranked Wartburg College. In fact, Concordia's three losses came against two ranked teams; in additional to the Knight's 3-2 win over the Cobbers, Concordia played Wheaton into the final minutes before falling 4-3. The only real surprise result was the 2-0 shutout loss to MIAC foe Carleton.

The final stretch of 10 matches following the Wheaton loss showed a 9-0-1 record, with the only draw to Augsburg in the MIAC Tourney final. The Cobbers are not a high scoring team, but has held opponents to under one goal per match. However, their goal differential is 1.1 goals per match, which is a smaller margin than their peers in the sectional. But Concordia has been consistent in their ability to win under pressure. They did so in the MIAC tournament, and in the first and second rounds of the NCAA post-season (held at Wartburg).

Sarah Rounds (13g, 12a) leads the team in offensive production, providing five game winning goals this season. Gina Weiss (9g, 4a) is in the mix in every match and has three game winners. Concordia outscores their opponents in the second period by scoring consistently in both periods: during the 2012 season, the Cobbers scored 23 goals vs. 13. In period 2, the stats read 19 vs. 4. The margin increased from 10 to 15, which demonstrates Concordia's ability to stay in the match to the final horn. Concordia also pressures via the corner kick, with a 123 vs. 52 season advantage. It is no surprise that corner kicks opportunities increase in the second half. So Concordia delivers pressure on the opponent's defense throughout the match and thus is able to convert on almost any defensive mistake.

Seniors' 4-year Record (through Nov. 11)

Hardin-Simmons: 82-4-3 (.938) overall | NCAA's ('09-'10-'11-'12): 9-2-2, Sweet 16 - '09-'12, Champion - '10

Wheaton (Ill.): 79-11-8 (.847) overall | NCAA's ('09-'10-'11'-'12): 11-1-2, Sweet 16 - '09 - '10, Final Four - '11

Washington U.: 64-18-6 (.761) overall | NCAA's ('09-'10-'11-'12): 9-3-2, Elite 8 - '11, Final Four - '09

Concordia-M'head: 60-13-14 (.770) overall | NCAA's ('09-'10-'11'-'12): 6-3-1, Sweet 16 - '09-'11-'12

Tournament Experience

Wheaton is participating in its 16th straight NCAA tournament and have the deepest NCAA Tournament experience of the sectional. The Thunder were the national Runners-Up in 2011, and their record in the post-season is 41-9-5 (.791), which is the second best winning percentage in DIII Tournament history. The Thunder have been in six Final Fours, winning the title in '04, '06, and '07, and falling in two title matches in '08 and '11. Hardin-Simmons also has strong NCAA post-season experience, winning the national championship in 2010 with an impressive 2-1 win over Messiah. This is the Cowgirl's 12th straight appearance and are 15-9-5 (.603). Concordia's squad is in their fourth straight NCAA tournament and sixth overall, as the Cobbers continue to build their post-season. Their record is 4-5-1 (.451). Host Washington U. is appearing in their 12th overall post-season, and seventh straight. The Bears are 19-10-5 (.632) in NCAA tournament play, and have appeared in two Final Fours, including their run to the national Runner-Up in 2009.

Why they will advance to the Final Four

Hardin-Simmons: If the Cowgirls can continue their goal production, they will be in every match. Katie Kykendall may be the best in the tournament at seeing the pitch and distributing the ball to the Cowgirl's advantage. Stinson's (and the entire team's) extensive shootout experience will come into play at some point and may be the difference between moving on and going home.

Wheaton (Ill.): Wheaton has deep play-off experience and their players understand the nature of post-tournament play. The Thunder has serious momentum going into the sectionals, having outscored their first and second round opponents 11-0. The solid play of All-America seniors Laura Karsten and Keri Shannon has been key thus far, and bring a high expecation of play to the sectionals based on their run to the title match in 2011.

Washington U.: The Bears faced a number of strong opponents during the season and thus will be ready for any test in the sectionals. The experience of playing the quality programs in the UAA as well regional powers like Illinois Wesleyan and Loras, prepares Washington U. for any of the three teams in the group. It will be difficult to stop Zambricki completely, and the experience of senior keeper Clara Jaques and the Washington back line can't be underestimated.

Concordia-M'head: Unlike the rest of the sectional, the Cobbers have not experienced a Final Four, and that gives Concordia as much drive to win as anyone in the group. Their consistent pressure style of play, and the desire to break through to the next level offers up enough reason.

Comments or feedback for the author?  Email James Matson.