Women's Soccer Blog: WVU Controls Destiny
October 22, 2014 06:27 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – There are certain perks to riding a 12-match unbeaten streak. National respect. Better rankings. Weekly player awards. Controlling your own destiny.
The No. 8-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team knows it’s in an ideal position. Boasting a 4-0-1 mark in Big 12 Conference play, the Mountaineers close out their regular season with three straight league matches at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. Win, and WVU claims its third straight Big 12 regular-season title.
The Mountaineers (11-2-2, 4-0-1) open their homestand against Oklahoma State (9-7-1, 4-1-1) on Friday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m.
“This is an ideal position for us. Playing at home gives us an advantage, and we’re very confident going into this weekend,” explained senior forward Kate Schwindel. “We’re up for it, and it’s going to be two huge games. It’s a good feeling knowing we control our own destiny.”
Friday’s contest is a rematch of the 2013 Big 12 Soccer Tournament final, as the Mountaineers defeated the Cowgirls, 1-0, last November to secure their first Big 12 tournament title.
“I think they’re going to be a hard-nosed team,” Schwindel said of OSU. “They’re very technical, and they’re going to throw more at us than we’ve seen so far in the Big 12. It’s going to be a huge game Friday.”
Following Friday’s match, the Mountaineers will play host to Oklahoma (8-5-3, 2-2-1) on Sunday. WVU clinched its 2013 Big 12 regular-season title with a 2-1 double-overtime win at OU last year.
WVU is a combined 5-0 against OSU and OU.
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It’s been a busy week for Schwindel, as the team captain picked up no less than four weekly honors – espnW National Player of the Week, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, College Sports Madness National Offensive Player of the Week and a spot on the TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Week.
As if that weren’t enough, news arrived Tuesday afternoon that Schwindel made the top-10 cut for the 2014 Senior CLASS Award. She is the WVU women’s soccer program’s first finalist.
“That is a huge honor for me, especially since it recognizes what I do on and off the field,” said Schwindel. “That shows that my hard work has been noticed.”
The accolades come on the heels of a productive weekend for Schwindel, as the Livingston, New Jersey, native doubled her season-goal output with three scores, including both game-winners, in wins at Iowa State (3-0, Oct. 17) and at then-No. 9 Kansas (2-0, Oct. 19). Her two-goal showing against the Jayhawks marked the first time in 2014 KU gave up two goals to one opponent.
With three regular-season matches remaining, Schwindel paces the Mountaineers with 13 points (6 G, 1 A). She ranks No. 3 in the Big 12 Conference in game-winning goals (3), No. 5 in goals and No. 9 in points.
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Schwindel isn’t the only Mountaineer to make the finalist cut for the Senior CLASS Award, as Andy Bevin of the men’s soccer team also made the finalist list. WVU is the only school to have both a men’s and women’s finalist.
Fan voting will help determine this year’s winners. Fans are encouraged to vote HERE through November 24. Fans may vote once a day on each of their devices.
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Sunday’s contest against Oklahoma is the Mountaineers’ “Pink Match,” a day dedicated to pushing awareness about breast cancer research. Tickets for Sunday are available for $1 each, and the first 500 fans will receive a pink rally towel, both courtesy of WVU Healthcare. Additionally, the first 200 fans will receive a women’s soccer wristband. All fans are encouraged to wear pink Sunday.
The Mountaineers will present a check for $10,374 to Dr. Ginger Layne of Morgantown’s Betty Puskar Breast Care Center at halftime. WVU has raised more than $100,000 over the last 11 years. The squad will welcome a special guest on Sunday, as Stephanie Henson, a cancer survivor and the wife of WVU wrestling coach Sammie Henson, will be on hand to help present the check to Dr. Layne. Her daughters, Ruby and Georgia-Kate, will serve as honorary game captains.
Additionally, the Mountaineers have partnered with the American Cancer Society this year. On Saturday, members of the squad will attend the 2014 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of North Central West Virginia walk. The event, held at the Hazel Ruby McQuain Waterfront Park, opens with registration at 8 a.m., with the 5K to follow at 9 a.m. Student-athletes will be there to help with the Kids Corner activities.
On Sunday, representatives from the American Cancer Society will be on hand at the Kids Corner at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, and young Mountaineer fans will have the opportunity to get a coloring sheet, a temporary face tattoo and pink hair extensions.
“I’ve participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event before, and I thought this was a no-brainer partnership,” said Mountaineer coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “Both parties are really happy with this new partnership. We’re going to work together to raise funds for breast cancer research.”
Morgantown will certainly be awash in pink this weekend!
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Maniacs! The Mountaineers need your support this weekend. In addition to all the festivities planned for Sunday, the first 100 Mountaineer Maniacs in attendance Friday evening will receive a special Maniac Pom-Pom to help cheer on the Mountaineers.
Two great matches are lined up for this weekend. Come out to DDSS Friday night and Sunday afternoon and cheer on your Mountaineers in their quest for their third straight Big 12 Conference title!
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