WVU's Speedy Forward
September 16, 2010 09:28 AM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia women’s soccer player Megan Mischler is a handful. And when the Pitt Panthers come to town this evening, they too will try to slow the speedy forward.
Being marked is nothing new for the senior Mountaineer. Opposing teams have made it a point this season to stop WVU’s active goal scorer.
“It’s been a little difficult to get used to but hopefully it allows my teammates to get better looks,” said Mischler, a two-time all-BIG EAST selection. “It’s something I have to work through and make sure I am making the most of the scoring chances that I do get.
“It’s nice that other teams are respecting my play. I’m just looking to help my team win games.”
Mischler and the Mountaineers have won plenty of matches during the past three seasons – a 42-15-14 record to be exact. The 2010 season, however, has not gone as planned through six contests into her final season.
“We have made some mistakes that have cost us a few wins,” said Mischler of her team’s 3-3 record. “The good thing is we can still achieve some of the goals that we set out at the beginning of the season. The BIG EAST regular season and tournament championships are still up for grabs.”
For the sixth straight year, West Virginia and Pitt will kick off conference play against each other. The Mountaineers are 11-2-1 all-time against the Panthers, including a 6-0 mark at home.
When Mischler steps onto the field for the BIG EAST opener tonight, the women’s soccer version of the Backyard Brawl will bring some added excitement for the one-time Panthers fan.
“I was not a West Virginia fan growing up,” laughed Mischler. “Both my parents went to Pitt and being from Pittsburgh, I was more of a Panther fan to be honest. That all changed after my visit to West Virginia.”
That visit almost didn’t happen. The closeness in proximity allowed the Mountaineers to bring in the Moon Township, Pa., native for a quick look at the program.
“It was close and we thought we might as well check it out,” noted Mischler. “And within 45 minutes on campus, I knew this was the place I wanted to attend. I fell in love with the school and the soccer program. I went ahead and made my decision my junior year.”
Where she lines up tonight will also add to the Mischler’s excitement. She will go head-to-head with a former teammate from Moon Area High.
“It’s a big game for me and I do know a lot of the girls on Pitt’s team,” said Mischler. “They have a player (Caroline Keefer) from my high school team that is now their starting outside back. With me being a forward, it will be fun to go against her.”
Mischler hopes to duplicate her success from the last home match at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. Her finish in front of the goal in the 85th minute gave WVU a 2-1 comeback victory over Central Michigan on Sept. 4.
“Megan knows what her roll is on this team and that is to create opportunities and finish scoring chances,” said coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “Getting that first goal against Central Michigan was good for her confidence. She needs to keep working hard, even when teams are putting two players on her.”
Mischler’s efforts will continue to play a key role in the success of the Mountaineer women’s soccer team. She and her teammates have their sites on reclaiming the BIG EAST division crown and making a postseason run in the NCAA tournament.
“The BIG EAST season is essentially a new season for everyone,” said Mischler. “It’s important for us to be ready to play each time out. You can’t overlook anybody in the BIG EAST. It’s very important to stay focused for 90 minutes and it starts with beating Pitt.”
Being marked is nothing new for the senior Mountaineer. Opposing teams have made it a point this season to stop WVU’s active goal scorer.
“It’s been a little difficult to get used to but hopefully it allows my teammates to get better looks,” said Mischler, a two-time all-BIG EAST selection. “It’s something I have to work through and make sure I am making the most of the scoring chances that I do get.
“It’s nice that other teams are respecting my play. I’m just looking to help my team win games.”
Mischler and the Mountaineers have won plenty of matches during the past three seasons – a 42-15-14 record to be exact. The 2010 season, however, has not gone as planned through six contests into her final season.
“We have made some mistakes that have cost us a few wins,” said Mischler of her team’s 3-3 record. “The good thing is we can still achieve some of the goals that we set out at the beginning of the season. The BIG EAST regular season and tournament championships are still up for grabs.”
For the sixth straight year, West Virginia and Pitt will kick off conference play against each other. The Mountaineers are 11-2-1 all-time against the Panthers, including a 6-0 mark at home.
When Mischler steps onto the field for the BIG EAST opener tonight, the women’s soccer version of the Backyard Brawl will bring some added excitement for the one-time Panthers fan.
“I was not a West Virginia fan growing up,” laughed Mischler. “Both my parents went to Pitt and being from Pittsburgh, I was more of a Panther fan to be honest. That all changed after my visit to West Virginia.”
That visit almost didn’t happen. The closeness in proximity allowed the Mountaineers to bring in the Moon Township, Pa., native for a quick look at the program.
“It was close and we thought we might as well check it out,” noted Mischler. “And within 45 minutes on campus, I knew this was the place I wanted to attend. I fell in love with the school and the soccer program. I went ahead and made my decision my junior year.”
Where she lines up tonight will also add to the Mischler’s excitement. She will go head-to-head with a former teammate from Moon Area High.
“It’s a big game for me and I do know a lot of the girls on Pitt’s team,” said Mischler. “They have a player (Caroline Keefer) from my high school team that is now their starting outside back. With me being a forward, it will be fun to go against her.”
Mischler hopes to duplicate her success from the last home match at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. Her finish in front of the goal in the 85th minute gave WVU a 2-1 comeback victory over Central Michigan on Sept. 4.
“Megan knows what her roll is on this team and that is to create opportunities and finish scoring chances,” said coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “Getting that first goal against Central Michigan was good for her confidence. She needs to keep working hard, even when teams are putting two players on her.”
Mischler’s efforts will continue to play a key role in the success of the Mountaineer women’s soccer team. She and her teammates have their sites on reclaiming the BIG EAST division crown and making a postseason run in the NCAA tournament.
“The BIG EAST season is essentially a new season for everyone,” said Mischler. “It’s important for us to be ready to play each time out. You can’t overlook anybody in the BIG EAST. It’s very important to stay focused for 90 minutes and it starts with beating Pitt.”
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