Ron Smith Assistant Women's Soccer Coach | Illinois Wesleyan Titans Website
Ron Smith Assistant Women's Soccer Coach | Illinois Wesleyan Titans Website
The Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team is set to begin its 2024 season with a two-game weekend. The Titans will first travel to Indianola, Iowa, for a nonconference match against Simpson College on Friday, August 30. The game will take place at Buxton Stadium and is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. Following this, the team will host Trine University on Sunday, September 1, marking the first home event of the season across all sports for IWU. This match is slated for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Neis Field.
This season, the Titans have introduced new uniforms and welcomed 11 new players to their roster. These additions include ten first-year students and one junior transfer who will join five sophomores, five juniors, and three seniors in the squad.
Head coach Oz Bakirdan is entering his third year leading the team and will be supported by assistant coach Chad Jones. Jones previously served as an assistant coach for the men's soccer team and will now work with both programs.
Senior Tegan Timerman from Peoria, Illinois, and junior Bree Cordray from Bloomington, Illinois, have been named captains for the upcoming season. Both played significant roles last year in the front line and midfield positions.
Sophomore Ava Mapes from Golden, Colorado returns as the team's lead scorer from last year. She participated in all 18 games during the previous season, scoring two goals and providing an assist. Sophomore Sophie Lampert from Hudson, Illinois is also expected to contribute significantly after being the only player to start every game last season.
In goalkeeping duties, sophomore Adriana Ruffolo from Bloomingdale, Illinois returns after starting five games last year with 26 saves recorded. Freshmen Grace Kiewiet from Leawood, Kansas and Ella Randall from San Francisco are new additions to the goalkeeper lineup.
Historically against Simpson College since 2001, IWU holds a record of two wins, one loss, and one draw. In their most recent encounter on September 1st of last year, Simpson emerged victorious with a score of 2-0. Sunday's match against Trine University will be their first meeting ever.
Fans can access live streams and statistics for both matches through the women's soccer schedule page on iwusports.com.
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