2008 News

Women's Soccer Team Lands 9 on Fall Honor Roll
URBANA, Ohio (February 17, 2009) - Urbana University Athletic Director Doug Young recently announced that 97 student-athletes have been named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll following the 2008 Fall Semester. In order to qualify for inclusion on the Honor Roll, student-athletes had to maintain a GPA of 3.25 or higher for the fall term. Nine Blue Knight women's soccer players were named to the Fall Honor Roll. The complete list, arranged by sport, can be viewed here: 2008 Fall Semester Athletic Director's Honor Roll

Nelson Scores Big on Senior Day
Blue Knights Wrap Up 2nd Place in ICAA
URBANA, Ohio (October 21, 2008) - In her final game as a Blue Knight, senior captain Abi Nelson stepped up big against the Ravens from Anderson University. Less than ten minutes into the game, Nelson found herself in the right spot at the right moment. Brooke Shultz's shot ricocheted off the Anderson goalkeeper right to the Nelson's foot. With no one between her and the back of the net, Nelson fired away to put Urbana up early. The goal was the 20th of Nelson's illustrious career. She is fifth on the all-time list.

Less than six minutes later, a similar situation netted the Blue Knights their second goal of the game. This time, Kayleen Roth's shot was deflected right to Nelson who got the ball to a wide open Celina Miller who scored her fifth goal of the season. Nelson, the all-time career leader in assists, added number 31 to her impressive total.

The Blue Knights added a third goal with just over ten minutes remaining in the first half when Kelsey Riviello sent a long, high crossing pass to Kara Waldon who had just checked in for Urbana. Waldon headed the ball home to put the Blue Knights up 3-0 at the half. The scoring onslaught continued as soon as the whistle blew to start the second half. Roth beat the Raven goalkeeper from 20 yards out for the fourth goal, and just minutes later, Nelson scored again thanks to a perfect corner kick pass from Abby Pearson. Nelson's header put the Blue Knights up five with over forty minutes remaining. Urbana tightened their defense and held on for the 5-0 victory. Goalkeeper Mel Johansing earned her second shutout of the season.

Today's win ended Urbana's first season in NCAA Division II with an even .500 record. After dropping their first four games, the Blue Knights came on strong, winning 8 of their final 12 to finish the season at 8-8. Urbana finished second, behind only North Greenville University, in the Independents Collegiate Athletic Association (ICAA). The ICAA is composed of seven NCAA D-II independent schools. These schools include North Greenville, Flagler, Columbia Union, Oakland City, Lake Erie, Palm Beach Atlantic and Urbana. Urbana defeated league opponent Lake Erie in their last game by a score of 2-1. [Game Stats]

Pearson Nets Game-Winner Against Lake Erie
PAINESVILLE, Ohio (October 18, 2008) - The Blue Knight women's soccer team got back on track on Saturday, defeating the Storm of Lake Erie College 2-1. Sophomore Randi Granat got the scoring started early with an unassisted goal in the 20th minute. Lake Erie stormed back with a goal of their own in the 38th minute. The score remained tied 1-1 at the half. Then, just 12 minutes into the second half, freshman Abby Pearson used her powerful kick to score the go-ahead goal on a penalty kick. Pearson has excelled as the Blue Knights' designated striker on free kicks and corner kicks all season long.

The Blue Knight defense held up for the remainder of the game to give the team its 7th win of the season. Urbana will try to even their season record with win number 8 in the final game of their 2008 season on Tuesday. The home game begins at 4:00 pm against Anderson. It will mark the final game of senior captain Abi Nelson's career. [Game Stats]

Scarlet Hawks Cool Down Urbana's Offense
CHICAGO, Ill. (October 11, 2008) - After breaking out of a scoring slump with 11 goals in their past two games, the Blue Knights' offense came back to earth today against Illinois Tech. Urbana was unable to get anything going against a tough Scarlet Hawk defense. The 1-0 shutout is the Blue Knights' third such result in the past five games, and the loss marks the first Urbana defeat on a weekend this season. The Blue Knights were 4-0 on Saturdays and Sundays coming into today's game.

Urbana looks to get back on track next Saturday as they travel to Lake Erie to take on the Storm. Game time is 1:00 pm. [Game Stats]

Blue Knights Quiet Thunder
Abi Nelson scores four goals in landslide victory
URBANA, Ohio (October 7, 2008) - The Blue Knights stayed hot at home today, beating the Trine University Thunder 8-1. Just ten minutes into the contest, senior captain Abi Nelson deflected a Brooke Shultz pass past the Thunder goalkeeper for the game's first goal. The Urbana rout was on soon after that. In the 20th minute, Abby Pearson bent a beautiful corner kick that was headed in by Kara Waldon for her first goal of the season. Five minutes later, Nelson headed in her second goal of the game. Kelsey Riviello picked up her first assist of the season with the crossing pass.

Urbana did not let up yet. A few minutes later, Kayleen Roth got into the action, serving up an assist to Shultz for her team-leading 6th goal of the season. The score was 4-0 at the half, as Urbana outshot Trine 21-1.

The Blue Knights picked up right where they left off to start the second half, scoring their fifth goal in the first minute. Roth found Nelson in the goalie box for her hat trick. Shortly after that, Allison Arents sent a pass ahead of the Thunder defense. Shultz corralled the pass easily beat the Trine goalkeeper on the one-on-one breakaway. In the 73rd minute, Trine ended the shut out with a breakaway goal of their own, but the Blue Knights answered right back with an Arents goal in the 74th minute.

Two minutes later, Nelson picked up her fourth goal of the day on Roth's team-record fourth assist of the day. The goal proved to be the last of the day as the Blue Knight onslaught was finally over.

After four straight home games, the Blue Knights (6-7) finally hit the road on Saturday to face Illinois Tech at 12:00 pm. [Game Stats]

Urbana Ends Offensive Drought in 4-0 Win Over Charleston
URBANA, Ohio (October 5, 2008) - The Blue Knights' offense has had a difficult week. After back-to-back 1-0 shutouts, the team was locked in yet another scoreless game into the second half today against NCAA Division II University of Charleston. At last, after 244 scoreless minutes on the field, Urbana ended their scoring drought. Abi Nelson found teammate Brooke Shultz in the goalie box for her fourth goal of the season. For Nelson, it was her team-leading 8th assist. Playing with a lead for the first tie in three games, the Blue Knights stayed on the attack. It appeared as though Shultz had her second goal of the game just a couple minutes later until a late offsides call erased the goal.

Minutes later, Nelson had a powerful shot stonewalled by the Charleston goalkeeper, but the team's aggressive strategy paid off. Nelson hooked up with Shultz for the second goal of the game in the 78th minute, and Nelson re-directed a Leah Geuy pass into the back of the goal from about 30 yards out a minute later.

The icing on the cake was a fourth goal in the 82nd minute. On a corner kick, Abby Pearson found Sword who used her body to re-direct the ball to Allison Arents in the box. Arents booted the ball into the back of the net for her first goal of the season. The Golden Eagles (4-6) stayed defensive and were unable to threaten the Blue Knights. Urbana goalkeeper Melanie Johansing recorded her second shutout of the season.

The Blue Knights (5-7) are back at home on Tuesday to face Trine University at 4:00 pm. [Game Stats]

Blue Knights Fall in Another Defensive Struggle
URBANA, Ohio (October 2, 2008) - For the third game in a row, the Blue Knights were locked in a first half defensive battle. Today it was the Taylor Trojans who were proved to be their defensive equivalent in the first half, as both teams only managed to fire five shots apiece in the first 45 minutes. Goalkeeper Mel Johansing snuffed out a Trojan breakaway with nine minutes remaining in the first half, and Taylor goalkeeper Shawna Lane made a diving stop on a Kayleen Roth header with just over five minutes to keep the game knotted 0-0 at the half.

The defensive struggle carried over late into the second half as both defenses proved to be inpenetrable and the goalies turned away anything that came near them. At last, the Trojans broke the tie in the 79th minute when Yvette Rattray found teammate Marissa Ku in Urbana's box. Ku booted the ball straight at Johansing who dove and deflected the ball. Unfortunately for the Blue Knights, the ball had enough spin to trickle just past the goal line to put the Trojans up 1-0. The deflated Urbana team mounted a couple comeback attempts in the final 11 minutes, but the Trojan defense stonewalled every attempt.

Urbana (4-7) will look to get their offense going again this Sunday when they face the University of Charleston at UU's Ellis Field at 1:00 pm. [Game Stats]

Blue Knights Fall for First Time in Two Weeks Against Capital
URBANA, Ohio (September 30, 2008) - The Blue Knights played tough defense in the first half of today's game, holding Capital University scoreless through the first 45 minutes. The Crusaders fired 11 shots in the first half, but goalkeeper Mel Johansing turned them all away to keep the game tied at the half. The tide turned in the second half as the Capital's Katie Robinson beat a defender and Johansing for the team's go-ahead goal. The Crusaders stayed aggressive with the lead, keeping the Blue Knights defensive and unable to mount a serious offensive threat of their own.

Kayleen Roth and Abi Nelson's shots with about three minutes remaining sailed wide, and the Blue Knights fell short of a comeback, losing 1-0. Despite giving up the lone goal, Johansing played a great game in goal for the Blue Knights. She finished the game with 14 saves on 24 Capital shots. Urbana will look to rebound with another home game this Thursday against Taylor University. Game time is 4:00 pm. [Game Stats]

Blue Knights Score Four Times in Second Half to Run Away from Seton Hill
by Matt Netherly, Sports Information Intern
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (September 27, 2008) - On a day where it looked like to be a defensive battle from each team, the Blue Knights blew it open with four goals in the second half. Tied 0-0 at the half, Urbana stormed out of the gates to take the lead and put the game away by a score of 4-0.

Urbana broke a scoreless game in the 50th minute when Randi Granat's ball was deflected by Brooke Schultz right to Leah Geuy who was able to put it in for the score. At the 60th minute, Abby Pearson's corner kick was redirected in for a goal by Schultz, with Pearson picking up an assist. Granat scored an unassisted goal in the 64th minute to give Urbana a commanding 3-0 lead. Pearson picked up another assist when Geuy scored her second goal of the game off another Pearson corner kick in the 77th minute. The Blue Knights' fourth goal sealed the deal, giving Urbana a 4-0 win. Melanie Johansing added 9 saves to go with her first shut-out in goal this year. She has a 65 saves already this season.

Urbana has won four of their last five games. They look to continue their winning ways in their next game at home against Capital University on Tuesday. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.[Game Stats]

Miller Scores Game-Winner with 25 Seconds Left in Double-Overtime
HANOVER, Indiana (September 23, 2008) - Celina Miller came through in the clutch, scoring the game-winning goal with just 25.5 seconds remaining in the second overtime of Urbana's clash with Hanover. Abi Nelson continued her stellar passing, picking up the assist on the game-winner. For Miller, the goal was the fourth of her season, and first game-winner of her career.

Hanover got on the board first in the 22nd minute, but the Blue Knights answered right back with a goal of their own in the 30th minute. Brooke Shultz scored the unassisted goal for her second of the season. Then, seconds before the end of the first half, Leah Geuy found the back of the net to put Urbana on top 2-1 at the half.

The Blue Knights held a one goal advantage for the first 23 minutes of the second half before Hanover's Shelby Henderzahs tied the game again in the 68th minute. The game remained through the first overtime and most of the second overtime. Then, with just 25.5 seconds on the clock, Miller sent the Blue Knights home victorious.

Urbana hopes to keep their winning streak alive when they take the field again this Saturday at Seton Hill in Pennsylvania. Game time is scheduled for 3:00 pm. [Game Stats]

Urbana Ends Losing Streak with Impressive 5-1 Victory
URBANA, Ohio (September 20, 2008) - The Blue Knights erupted for five goals today, as they earned their first victory of the season on their home field by a score of 5-1 over visiting West Virginia Tech. Urbana scored early and often in the rout. Freshman Celina Miller started the Blue Knight onslaught in the game's fourth minute. Miller scored her second goal of the season after fellow freshman Brooke Shultz' shot ricocheted off the post for a near miss. Miller was quick to react, and she put the Blue Knights on the board first. [more] [Game Stats]

 

Blue Knights Drop Game in Closing Minutes Against Marian
URBANA, Ohio (September 16, 2008) - Urbana dropped its fifth decision of the season in the 81st minute of their game against Marian College on Tuesday night. The Blue Knights had a couple more opportunities to tie the game in the final nine minutes, but the Marian defense held on for the victory.

Marian jumped out early on a breakaway goal in the 4th minute. They held the lead through the end of the first half. On the strength of corner kicks, the Blue Knights fought back to tie the game at 1 in the 52nd minute. Freshman Abby Pearson's powerful corner kick was bent in for a goal before being deflected away by the Marian goalkeeper. The loose ball was corralled and scored by junior Brittany Sword for her first goal of the season. The game remained tied until the 81st minute when Marian surged back into the lead with a header off of a corner kick that found the back of the net. The Blue Knights threatened but could not score in the last minutes of the game.

Urbana's women soccer team returns to the field for a home game this Saturday against West Virginia Tech. Game time is scheduled for 2:00 pm. The men's game will follow at 4:00 pm. [Game Stats] [Photo Album]

Urbana Captures First Win of Season Via Forfeit
URBANA, Ohio (September 11, 2008) - Urbana Head Coach Crystal Dye learned today that her first win as a Blue Knight head coach will come via a forfeit. Salem International informed Dye and Urbana that their team will have to forfeit this Saturday's game. The game was originally scheduled to be played at Urbana's Ellis Field at 1:00 pm. The win improves the Blue Knights record to 1-4 on the season. Salem will drop to 0-3.

Blue Knights Falls to NCAA Division II Ashland
ASHLAND, Ohio (September 10, 2008) - Urbana dropped its fourth straight game this afternoon to NCAA Division II Ashland University by a score of 5-2. After 44 scoreless minutes, Ashland's Casey Snyder directed a ball past Urbana goalkeeper Mel Johansing to put the Eagles up 1-0 at halftime.

Snyder scored her second and third goals of the day in the first 13 minutes of the second half, putting the match away for Ashland. The Blue Knights managed to get on the board in the 80th minute when senior captain Abi Nelson found freshman Brooke Shultz for her first collegiate goal. Six minutes later, sophomore Randi Granat scored off a rebound to close the gap, but it proved to be too little too late.

The Blue Knights return home for a match-up with Marian on Tuesday, September 16th. Game time is 5:00 pm. Saturday's regularly scheduled game at home against Salem will not be played. Salem has informed Urbana that they will have to forfeit the game. [Game Stats]

Blue Knights Drop Third Straight to Open Season
EVANSVILLE, Indiana (September 5, 2008) - For the Urbana women's soccer team, the third time did not prove to be a charm, as they dropped their third straight game of the season to NCAA Division II opponent the University of Southern Indiana. Once again, the Blue Knights kept it close in the first half, trailing 1-0 at halftime, but three goals by Southern Indiana in a span of just six minutes put the game away for good in the second half. The final score was 4-0.

Urbana had plenty of opportunities to score, but the Southern Indiana goalkeepers stonewalled each of the 8 shots on goal by the Blue Knights. Urbana goalkeeper Mel Johansing had more saves (9) than her counterparts from Southern Indiana, but it was the four goals she couldn't stop that proved to be the difference.

The Blue Knights are back in action this Wednesday as they travel to Ashland for a 2:00 pm game. [Game Stats]

Urbana Scores First Goal of the Season, But Drops Game to Findlay
FINDLAY, Ohio (September 3, 2008) - Trailing 2-0 in the first half, the Blue Knights picked a good time to score their first goal of the season. Freshman Celina Miller scored the first goal of her career on a deflection by the Findlay goalkeeper. Senior captain Abi Nelson was credited with an assist. For Nelson, the assist was the 22nd of her career. She breaks a tie for the career lead in assists with Michelle Williams ('01-'04) and is now the all-time leader at Urbana.

Unfortunately for the Blue Knights, that was as close as they would get to the Oilers. Findlay scored the next six goals, winning by a score of 8-1. The Blue Knights will try for their first win this season on Friday, as they travel to Southern Indiana to take on their third consecutive NCAA Division II opponent. [Game Stats]

Blue Knights Held Scoreless by Bellarmine in Home Opener
URBANA, Ohio (August 29, 2008) - The Urbana women's soccer team began the 2008 campaign with a game they'd like to forget. Bellarmine University defeated the Blue Knights by a score of 4-0 at Ellis Field today.

The Knights of Bellarmine jumped on Urbana early with a goal in the 17th minute. Brittany Nakatani dribbled past two Blue Knight defenders for the unassisted goal. Urbana managed to keep the score close for the remainder of the half, but the Bellarmine Knights proved to be too much for Urbana in the second half.

Abagail Schuhmann started the scoring for Bellarmine in the second minute of the second half. Schuhmann stood at the back post during a corner kick by Nakatani. The ball made its way past the Blue Knight defense, and Schuhmann was all alone for the goal. Ten minutes later, Nakatani found the back of the net for her second goal of the day. The defecit proved to be too much for the Blue Knights.

Urbana looks to erase memories of this game next week, when they face off against the University of Findlay at their place on Wednesday, September 3rd. Game time is 4:00 PM. [Game Stats]

Dye Named Urbana Women's Head Soccer Coach
Former pro player takes over as second coach of Urbana program
URBANA, Ohio (March 31, 2008) - Urbana University Director of Athletics Doug Young is pleased to announce Crystal Dye as the Blue Knights' head women's soccer coach, the second head coach in the program's history. Dye comes to Urbana from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown where she was the head women's soccer coach, as well as the women's track and field coach. [more]

Blue Knight Women's Soccer Coach Resigns
After decade at Urbana, Wendling named coach at NCAA D-I Canisius
URBANA, Ohio (February 18, 2008) - Urbana University Director of Athletics Doug Young today announced the resignation of head women's soccer coach Jim Wendling. Wendling has accepted the position as head women's soccer coach at Canisius College, a private NCAA Division I university in Buffalo, N.Y.  [more]