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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Women’s soccer welcoms Broncos

By Brian Kelley | October 10, 2002

A battle will be waged at Huskie Soccer Field on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. as the NIU women’s soccer team will take on Western Michigan in a key MAC game. This game has important implications as the Huskies (5-6, 3-4) are tied with the Broncos (5-5, 3-2-1)...

Nowicki, Klaas lead Huskie resurgence

By Brian Kelley | October 9, 2002

Leaders. Every good team has them, but not all of them are as important or influential as the co-captains on the NIU women’s soccer team. Juniors Maggie Nowicki and Katie Klaas were selected by coach Frank Horvat at the beginning of this season to help...

NIU has full weekend

By Brian Kelley | October 3, 2002

They’re back and ready to show that the last game was no fluke. After shutting out Central Michigan on the road last weekend, the NIU women’s soccer team will play host to two MAC opponents this weekend at Huskie Soccer Field. First, the Huskies (3-6,...

Women’s soccer matches win total from last season

By Brian Kelley | September 29, 2002

Progress was made Sunday as the NIU women’s soccer team finally reached the board in a 1-0 victory over Central Michigan. The Huskies (3-6, 1-4) already have equaled their victory total from last year and have six home games in October to help aid their...

Soccer has full weekend

By Brian Kelley | September 26, 2002

Redemption. That is what the NIU women’s soccer team will be out for when it travels this weekend to face two MAC foes. After two lopsided losses last weekend, the Huskies took this week to fix their inconsistencies in their offense and defense. "We’re...

Taking the fall

By Frank Rusnak | September 23, 2002

As I sit on press row at the Convocation Center and watch the women’s volleyball games, I am amazed.

How do they put the players put their bodies through so much every game?

The answer to that isn’t a difficult one. It all comes down to dedication and mental toughness, which are needed in every sport.

"It takes toughness to play this sport," NIU libero Melissa Benson said. "You need that in any sport. Volleyball isn’t as easy as people think it is. Motivation from yourself and your teammates is what keeps you going."

In my opinion, Benson and other back row players put themselves through the most.

These players have a role on the team to basically save any ball by diving or lunging toward it with only the protection of a pair of kneepads.

And what do these players have to show for their hard work?

Floor burns, bumps and bruises.

"We get banged up and bruised a lot," Benson said. "The ankles, knees and shoulders are where most of the injuries affect."

Through her years of playing volleyball, Benson has hyperextended her wrist, pulled an occasional muscle, had shin splints and tendinitis in both knees.

She says the constant pressure takes a toll on the body and that front row players on the team usually suffer from injured shoulders and knees.

Outside hitter Tera Lobdell was forced to sit out four matches this season after she landed on a teammate’s foot in practice and sprained her left knee.

An occasional concussion is also within the realm of possibility. Last season NIU lost one of its defensive specialist/back row players to numerous concussions. And this season Shara Parker and Jenny Rohren have experienced slight concussions of their own.

Now do these injuries seem different from any other sport? No. But did anyone actually think that volleyball players were susceptible to taking such a beating? I didn’t until I covered my first game last year.

"People have run into one another out there," NIU coach Ray Gooden said. "I’ve seen players get injured that way, but there are a lot of different aspects to setting up plays on a serve and on an attack that the players don’t really think about it when they are out there."

Volleyball is like any other sport. Injuries take place. And sometimes we as spectators sit back and wonder why athletes put themselves through so much.

Over the past two seasons I have seen players take the court with knee braces. I have seen some enter the gym with their wrists’ wrapped. I have even witnessed a player play days after suffering a concussion. Not to mention the handful of times I’ve seen the players walking around with their knees iced up.

It all comes down to dedication and winning. A little over a year after watching my first volleyball match, I have come to the conclusion that the players know that most injuries will heal, but pride sticks forever.

Long road ahead for women’s soccer

By Brian Kelley | September 19, 2002

After its first shutout victory in nearly three years, the NIU women’s soccer team will travel east this weekend to begin MAC play. The Huskies (2-3, 0-1) will first battle Ohio University on Friday in Athens, Ohio. The Bobcats (4-1, 1-0) who were picked...

NIU takes on Buffalo

By Brian Kelley | September 12, 2002

The NIU women’s soccer team has a chance to redeem themselves as they begin MAC play at 5 p.m. today at Huskie Soccer Field against Buffalo. After today’s game, the Huskies (1-2) continue the homestand, when they take on Southwest Missouri State University...

Soccer stays positive

By Brian Kelley | September 8, 2002

Battling the heat and inexperience as well as Illinois State, the NIU women’s soccer team came up short Sunday afternoon at Huskie Soccer Field, losing 0-2. Ty Winkelhake scored from 6-yards out 8:34 into the game, putting the Huskies down early. "On...

Women’s soccer sees youth movement

By Brian Kelley | September 4, 2002

With 14 freshmen and no seniors, the NIU women’s soccer team will have to step up and try to climb over the steep hill of inexperience that is before them. The Huskies will be returning 13 players from last year’s 3-14-1 team. With only 11 upper classmen,...

Soccer bids farewell to seniors

By Juan Marquez | November 6, 2001

Friday's 3-1 women's soccer loss to Illinois was the end for the seniors. They are a special group to assistant coach Joe McCauley. Becca Bleyer, Sarah Dickinson, Megan Anderson, Katy Boll and Maria Flores came to NIU in 1998, the same year McCauley did....

Huskies playing for pride

By Juan Marquez | October 31, 2001

After being eliminated from Mid-American Conference tournament contention last Friday, NIU women's soccer coach Frank Horvat said the team is playing for pure pride in the last week of the season. He also said the team's character, heart and determination...

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