A tough season for Maverick women’s soccer

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November 7th, 2011

Omaha, NE – Wrapping up women’s soccer at the University of Nebraska Omaha: the Mavericks closed out with a 5-7-2 record. But Coach Don Klosterman said he’s proud of his team for pulling through a challenging season.

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The Mavericks had a tough schedule to endure.

Amber Bilodeau celebrates her game-winning goal over Washburn. (Photo credit UNO Athletics)

“It was grueling in a sense because we traveled over 6,000 miles in September,” Klosterman said. After another 4,000 miles in October, Klosterman said the team stayed positive. “Not one complaint,” he said. “They had a great attitude throughout… and I think that is the only thing we can ask for.”

After UNO moved to Division I in March, Coach Klosterman was forced to complete this year’s schedule quickly. A mix of both top tier division two teams and division one teams was scheduled, including four future Summit league opponents: UMKC (1-2), Western Illinois (1-0), South Dakota (3-2) and North Dakota State (1-3).

UNO held its own, winning two of the four. Klosterman said he was proud his team welcomed all challengers despite having little time to prepare. He’s most proud of beating a Division I team in South Dakota, he said, as the Mavericks battled back from a halftime deficit and scored two goals in the second half to claim victory.

Klosterman was also quick to point out areas in which his team can get better.

Katelyn Tschida had an impressive year according to Coach Klosterman. (Photo credit UNO Athletics)

“Well we need to figure out ways to score some goals,” he said. In soccer, “one or two goals can make a big, big difference in a game.”

Looking to next year, Klosterman said his team can use this year’s experience as a stepping stone.
“The fact that we’ve done this now, and we have a little bit of an idea,” he said. “There is going to be some of carryover going into next season in the sense that they know what to expect.”

Also, Klosterman said, next year’s schedule is marked in ink.

UNO will play against Iowa State at home. Creighton will also travel to UNO to play a match. Games against Boise State, Wyoming, Northern Colorado, Drake and Portland State round off the non-conference schedule.
Klosterman said UNO’s new status as Division I also benefits Creighton University, another D-I school. He said UNO’s coordinating with Creighton on future schedules, so schools traveling to Omaha can play both teams in a two- or three-day period.

“We’re fortunate things have fallen into place,” he said. “We are also fortunate because of our location. We are easy to get to, and teams want to come here.”

On the 2012 roster, Klosterman said his team will miss senior Haley Renshaw, who he called the best defender on the team this year. With three seniors moving on after the year, UNO will have plenty of room to grow in recruiting.

Klosterman said he already has commitments from a few players who have the ability to attack. “Now, are they going to come in here and score 20 goals? Probably not,” he said. But, he said, he’s satisfied with the class.

“I am happy because we’ve got players coming off some really good clubs experiences,” he said. “They’ve had good training; they’ve been in leagues, and with competition that is very, very high.”

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