Women's Soccer News - 2009-10

Game recaps written by Tim McNicholas or Brad Mohr

Goal in Final Minute Stuns Bees

Nov. 11, 2009

Grand View scored in the final minute to upset St. Ambrose 1-0 in the Midwest Collegiate Conference tournament championship Wednesday afternoon at the Davenport Soccer Complex.

The Queen Bees entered the match as the tournament's top-seed and ranked 25th nationally in the recent NAIA poll, but Grand View (10-9-2) packed it in defensively. SAU outshot the Vikings 12-7 and had a handful of good scoring opportunities, including a shot from Ashley Dexter that was deflected off the crossbar late in the second half.

In the closing minute, Grand View was able to sneak one past SAU goalkeeper Lauren Gunawan, who came up with four big saves to get the win.

The Vikings earn the conference's automatic berth into the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championships while the Bees hold a slim chance to receive an at-large berth. Otherwise, SAU finishes the year with an 18-2-1 mark.

Bees Receive Several MCC Postseason Honors
- Cohen, Dexter, Mannall recognized by conference

Nov. 9, 2009

After winning the Midwest Collegiate Conference regular-season title with a 7-0-1 record, the St. Ambrose women's soccer team rightfully took home several conference postseason awards.

Senior midfielder Sam Cohen (pictured, right) was named the MCC Player of the Year, freshman forward Ashley Dexter was picked as the MCC Newcomer of the Year and seventh-year SAU head coach Jon Mannall was selected as the MCC Coach of the Year. St. Ambrose also led the conference with four first team all-MCC picks and four honorable mention selections.

Cohen, from Dunlap, Ill., was one of the leaders both ways for the Queen Bees this season. She is third on the team in goals (seven), assists (five) and points (19) and tied for eighth in the conference in assists. She has helped the SAU defense lead the league in fewest goals allowed (15), goals against average (0.74) and shutouts (11).

“Sam has had a tremendous senior season, and I am so happy that her impact on the season that we have had here at SAU has been acknowledged,” said Mannall. “She is thoroughly deserving of the award. Sam is a team captain and has the competitive edge and drive that has been pivotal in taking this program to the next level. She has the utmost respect from her teammates and coaching staff alike. She has worked her socks off in her four years here in the program and this award is a credit to the work she has put in.”

Dexter (pictured, right), from Eldridge, Iowa, has dominated the MCC offensive statistical categories as a freshman, leading the conference in goals (19), goals/game (0.95), assists (12), assists/game (0.60), points (50), points/game (2.50) and game-winning goals (five).

Mannall won the coaching honor for the third year in a row after leading the Queen Bees to their third straight MCC regular season championship that included a perfect regular season record in conference play.

“Jon has done an outstanding job taking our women’s soccer program to the next level,” said St. Ambrose Athletic Director Ray Shovlain. “The effort Jon, his coaching staff and the players have put in is reflected in their tremendous season.”

Along with Cohen and Dexter, freshman Allison Bevenue and junior Kari Lyphout were named to the all-conference first team. Bevenue, a midfielder from Millstadt, Ill., has scored two goals and is second on the team with nine assists while maintaining a strong defensive presence for SAU. Lyphout, a forward from East Moline, Ill., has scored 15 goals and added four assists to form a solid one-two attack with Dexter.

With 16 wins already to her credit, junior goalkeeper Lauren Gunawan, from Neponset, Ill., earned all-conference honorable mention. She has allowed only 13 goals and been a big part of SAU's 11 total shutouts. Junior Alex Hemmen, senior Kirstin Perkins and freshman Kelly Schroeder also received honorable mention.

Hemmen, from Rock Island, Ill., knocked in six goals, including five on penalty kicks, and added four assists. Perkins, from Davenport, Iowa, finished with a pair of goals and five assists. Schroeder, from Plainfield, Ill., scored one goal while starting 19 games this season on defense for SAU.

The Queen Bees will look to win the MCC Championship Wednesday afternoon against Grand View. The match, scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Davenport Soccer Complex, will determine who receives the conference's automatic berth into the NAIA National Championships.

Dexter Named MCC Offensive Player of the Week

Nov. 9, 2009

Freshman Ashley Dexter was named the Midwest Collegiate Conference Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season today.

In her only game of the week, Dexter scored twice to lead the Bees past Ashford in the conference tournament semifinals. She scored just three minutes into the second half to give the Bees a 2-0 lead and added an insurance goal in the final minute to complete the 3-0 shutout.

Dexter leads the team in scoring with 19 goals and 12 assists in 20 matches this season. She will lead SAU into the conference tournament championship match against Grand View Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Davenport Soccer Complex.

Dexter was one of three Bees to be recognized by the conference, joining John Darmody (men's cross country) and Ryan Sergeant (men's golf).

Dexter Scores Twice to Lead Bees to Semifinal Win

Nov. 7, 2009

Ashley Dexter scored two goals and Lauren Gunawan turned away the three shots she faced as St. Ambrose shutout Ashford 3-0 in a Midwest Collegiate Conference championship semifinal match Saturday afternoon at the Davenport Soccer Complex. SAU is 18-1-1 overall this season.

The Bees will host Grand View Wednesday at 2 p.m. to determine the MCC championship.

SAU struck early in both halves against Ashford. Just eight minutes into the contest, Molly Rockrohr headed in a corner kick off the foot of Allison Bevenue for a 1-0 lead.

The score remained unchanged until three minutes into the second half. Alyssa Dressen found Dexter who found the back of the net for a 2-0 advantage. In the final minute, Dexter completed the scoring off a pass from Brittany Davies.

Gunawan was solid in goal with three saves, including one on a breakaway in the second half.

SAU out-shot Ashford 18-4 and controlled possession throughout most of the match.

In the championship match, the Bees will face a tough Grand View team. The two teams battled to a scoreless tie during the regular season. The winner receives an automatic berth into the NAIA National Tournament.

Bees Cruise Past Mustangs

Oct. 31, 2009

It didn't matter how cold it was or how hard the wind the blowing, the St. Ambrose women's soccer team continued to stay hot as the Bees defeated Mount Mercy 7-2 in a Midwest Collegiate Conference championship quarterfinal match.

The Bees didn't have to wait long as freshman sensation Ashley Dexter scored in the fourth minute to put the Bees up 1-0. Nikki Boland received a pass from Dexter at the 13th minute and knocked it in to make it 2-0. Shortly after that, senior Sam Cohen took another pass from Dexter at the 20th minute and put the bees up 3-0.

After SAU committed a foul in the box, Mount Mercy's Beth Samek was able to sneak a goal past goalkeeper Lauren Gunawan at the 43rd minute and make the score 3-1 at the half.

The Bees picked up right where they left the first half off as Dexter scored her second goal of the game off an assist from Abby Kent at the 53rd minute. Molly Rockrohr got in on the action next scoring at the 63rd minute off an assist from Allison Bevenue to make the score 5-1. In the 65th minute, Dexter completed the hat trick by heading in a unbelievable pass from Alex Hemmen to put the Bees up 6-1.

The Mustangs made the score 6-2 as Kandice Kiernan was able to get the ball by Sara Mainey at the 75th minute. Kelsey Carroll received another pass from Hemmen at the 81st minute and knocked it in to finish the scoring at a final of 7-2.

The Bees outshot the mustangs 29-6.

SAU will return to action Saturday, Nov. 7, by hosting Ashford in a tournament semifinal at the Davenport Soccer Complex at 2 p.m.

Bees Honor Seniors, Roll Past Central

Oct. 27, 2009

St. Ambrose scored early and often as the bees shut out Central 7-0 and finished the regular reason with an record of 16-1-1. It was Breast Cancer Awareness night as SAU wore pink warmups prior to the match.

The Bees scored early. Nikki Boland got on the board first off an assist from senior Kirstin Perkins at the 7th minute of the match to make it 1-0. Kari Lyphout came off the bench and made her presence felt fast as she knocked in another goal at the 22nd minute off an assist from Abby Kent to make it 2-0. Lyphout scored her second goal of the match at the 31st minute off an assist from Ashley Dexter to make it 3-0. At the 35th minute Katie Chambliss took an pass from Lyphout and made the score 4-0 at half.

During the half, head coach Jon Mannall honored seniors Sam Cohen, Amelia Horras, Stephanie Kaput, Leigh Miller and Kirstin Perkins.

The Bees picked up right where they left off the first half as Dexter made the score 5-0 off an assist from senior Sam Cohen. Boland made her second goal of the game off assists from Dexter and Cohen to make the score 6-0. Kelsey Carroll wrapped up the rest of the scoring by taking an assist from Brittany Davies and making the final 7-0. As the game was starting to wrap up, Coach Mannall substituted out the seniors one-by-one to a round of applause from the fans for their commitment during their time playing soccer at St. Ambrose.

Prior to the match, both teams observed a moment of silence to honor Dr. Michael Orfitelli, who recently passed away unexpectedly. Dr. Orfitelli helped start the SAU women's soccer program and was the team's first coach from 1994-2000.

St. Ambrose will start the conference tournament by hosting the winner of the Mount Mercy/Iowa Wesleyan game on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m. at the Davenport Soccer Complex.

Dexter, Schroeder Named MCC Players of the Week

Oct. 26, 2009

Ashley Dexter and Kelly Schroeder were named the Midwest Collegiate Conference Women's Soccer Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, on Oct. 26.

Dexter (pictured, top), a freshman forward from Eldridge, Iowa, scored a pair of goals as St. Ambrose (15-1-1, 7-0-1 MCC) went 2-0 last week. She scored the game-winner, while adding an assist, in a 3-2 triumph at #21 Trinity Christian College on Monday. Dexter tallied her 13th goal of the year in a 4-0 win at Iowa Wesleyan Saturday that clinched the MCC regular season championship for the Bees.

Along with sharing the team lead with her 13 goals, Dexter also leads the Bees with eight assists.

This is the second time this season Dexter has won the weekly conference award. She also won the honor on Sept. 21.

Schroeder (pictured, bottom), a freshman defender/midfielder from Plainfield, Ill., led a strong defensive effort in the two SAU wins.

The Bees limited nationally-ranked Trinity Christian to only two goals before picking up the shutout win at Iowa Wesleyan. SAU has recorded nine shutouts in 17 matches so far this season.

Schroeder has started 16 games and has tallied one goal.

The Bees will conclude the regular season Tuesday against Central College. The non-conference match at the Davenport Soccer Complex is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.

SAU will then have home field throughout the MCC Championship and will play a quarterfinal match against either Mount Mercy or Iowa Wesleyan on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m. at the Davenport Soccer Complex.

St. Ambrose Wins MCC Regular Season Title

Oct. 24, 2009

The St. Ambrose women's soccer team faced several questions entering the 2009 season.

Gone were four all-conference performers who helped lead the Queen Bees to a conference title and a berth in the NAIA National Championships a year ago. In came a large and talented freshman class as nearly half of this year's SAU roster consists of freshmen.

The young players, along with a core of experienced juniors and seniors, put together a remarkable regular-season run to lead the Queen Bees to the 2009 Midwest Collegiate Conference regular season championship.

SAU clinched the title with a 4-0 shutout of Iowa Wesleyan Saturday. The Bees finished 7-0-1 in MCC play, settling for a scoreless tie with Grand View despite out-shooting the Vikings 20-6.

With a non-conference tilt against Central College still remaining on the slate, St. Ambrose has compiled a 15-1-1 mark, with the lone blemish a 3-1 loss to NCAA Division I opponent Western Illinois University.

"Winning the conference championship is always the first and biggest goal of the season," said head coach Jon Mannall. "And defending it with such a new team is a great accomplishment for the players. The competition within the conference presents a wide range of challenges for our very young team, which has been well led by the few experienced and talented upper-classmen we have."

Freshman forward Ashley Dexter and junior midfielder/forward Kari Lyphout share team-high honors with 13 goals each. Dexter leads the team with eights assists. Senior midfielder Sam Cohen has provided much of the leadership along with six goals this season. Junior defender/midfielder Alex Hemmen has also notched six goals.

In goal, junior Lauren Gunawan has compiled a 13-1-1 record and helped SAU record nine shutouts.

The Bees now have to gear up for the MCC Women's Soccer Championship starting this week with an NAIA National Championship bid on the line. SAU will face the winner of Wednesday's Mount Mercy-Iowa Wesleyan play-in game on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m. at the Davenport Soccer Complex.

Clarke (5-1-2 MCC) earned the tournament's second seed and will host William Penn on Saturday. Third-seed Grand View will welcome Waldorf and fourth-seed Viterbo will host Ashford in the other quarterfinal matches.

2009 MCC Women's Soccer Championship bracket

Bees Knock Off Iowa Wesleyan to Win MCC Regular Season Title

Oct. 24, 2009

The St. Ambrose women's soccer team just needed to win to clinch their second straight conference championship and the Bees did so in convincing fashion with a 4-0 win at Iowa Wesleyan Saturday.

It took until the 23:20 mark but St. Ambrose got on the board with a successful penalty kick by Ashley Dexter to make the score 1-0. Right before the first half ended, Allison Bevenue gave a perfect pass to Kari Lyphout at the 44:14 mark and Lyphout knocked it in to make the score 2-0 at the half. Lyphout knocked in her second goal of the game at the 80:43 mark off an assist from Brittany Davies to make the score 3-0. Right before the game ended Nikki Boland got in on the action with an goal at the 87:39 mark off an assist from Kirstin Perkins to make it a final of 4-0.

Lauren Gunawan recorded another shutout, the Bees' ninth shutout of the season.

The Bees return to action Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. for a non-conference matchup against Central. It is senior night for the women's soccer players so come out and support the seniors and the team.

Women Play with Heavy Hearts, Come Away with Win

Oct. 19, 2009

Before the start of the SAU women's soccer game against #21 Trinity Christian, Coach Jon Mannall and the rest of the women's soccer team dedicated the game in honor of Dr. Michael Orfitelli who passed away this last weekend. Dr. Orfitelli helped start the SAU women's soccer program and was the team's first coach from 1994-2000. The women needed to rally in the second half but the Bees came away with an 3-2 victory over the 21st-ranked team in the nation to improve to 14-1-1 overall.

The Bees fell behind early as Claire Comerouski scored the first goal of the game off a penalty kick in the 25th minute to put TCC up 1-0. The Bees answered as Kirstin Perkins knocked in a pass from Allision Bevenue at the 56:17 mark to tie the score at 1-1. TCC answered right back as KC Roller took an assist from Allison Doyle and put TCC back up 2-1.

Courtney Seffrood tied the game once again at the 72:21 mark as she took a pass from Ashley Dexter and made the score 2-2. Dexter must have fed off the momentum because a couple minutes later, Dexter knocked in the game-winning goal off an assist from Brittany Davies at the 74:29 mark to make the final 3-2. After the game, Coach Jon Mannall said the girls played their hearts out in Dr. Orfitelli's honor.

The Bees will return to action Saturday, Oct. 24, as they travel to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, to play Iowa Wesleyan at 3 p.m. WIth a win, St. Ambrose will clinch the regular season conference title and home field advantage throughout the MCC playoffs.

Bees Remain Undefeated in Conference

Oct. 17, 2009

The women's soccer team remained undefeated in conference by handling conference foe William Penn 4-0 to improve to 13-1-1 overall and 6-0-1 in the MCC.

Sam Cohen got things going for the Bees as she knocked in a crossing pass from Abby Kent at the 20:22 mark to put the bees up 1-0. Allison Bevenue laid up a perfect corner kick on the backside and Alex Hemmen knocked it at the 67:09 mark to make the score 2-0. Hemmen knocked in her second goal of the game a couple minutes later at the 70:51 mark on a penalty kick to make it 3-0. Alyssa Dressen knocked in the final goal of the game at the 82:52 mark on another cross pass from Kent.

The Bees outshot the Statesmen by a outstanding 47-5 mark.

St. Ambrose won't have much time to rest as the bees travel to Trinity Christian on Oct. 19.

Bees Play Vikings to Scoreless Tie

Oct. 14, 2009

In an afternoon contest where the wind was blowing and the temperatures were in the 30s, St. Ambrose came out firing throughout the whole game but some good defense and goalkeeping by Grand View prevented any goals as the two teams played to a 0-0 tie through a pair of 10-minute overtimes.

Despite outshooting the Vikings 20-6, SAU was stopped by Grand View goalkeeper Katie Zenz, who came up with 11 saves. But the two biggest saves didn't come from Zenz, they came from Deb Jenkins. Ashley Dexter had two point blank shots after Zenz had fallen to the ground, but Jenkins deflected the first shot right back to Dexter and she fired the second shot only to get stopped by Jenkins again. St. Ambrose only allowed one shot during the second half and both overtimes.

The bees remain undefeated in MCC play with an record of 5-0-1. The Bees will have a few days off and will travel to Oskaloosa, Iowa for a match up against William Penn Saturday, Oct. 17, at 5 p.m.

Bees Extend Win Streak to Six; Improve to 12-1 Overall

Oct. 10, 2009

The SAU women's soccer team improved to 12-1 on the season with a 3-1 win over Bellevue over the weekend.

The game started out slow but right before the halftime whistle, Allison Bevenue gave a perfect corner kick pass to Molly Rockrohr to make it 1-0. Alex Hemmen made the score 2-0 with a penalty kick in the 66th minute. Bellevue tried to keep it close with a score off a corner kick by Jenna Pendley to cut the lead to 2-1. The Bees ended up being too much for Bellevue as Alyssa Dresen made the score 3-1 off an assist from Ashley Dexter in the 86th minute.

St. Ambrose looks to remain undefeated in conference at Grand Vew travels to the Davenport Soccer Complex for an 4 p.m. matchup Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Bees Win a Tough One, Improve to 5-0 in MCC

Oct. 6, 2009

St. Ambrose improved to 11-1, 5-0 in MCC play after a 2-1 win over Ashford University Tuesday.

Ashley Dexter didn't waste any time by taking a pass from Allison Bevenue and punching it into the back of the net at the nine-minute mark. Ashford stormed right back in the 22nd minute as Cassandra Broderick scored with an assist from Amanda Campos to tie the score at 1-1. Just like the last few games, the Bees stormed the net in the last 10 minutes and Kari Lyphout scored at the 83rd minute to give the bees an 2-1 lead and the win.

St. Ambrose outshot Ashford 17-7.

The Bees' next game against Trinity Christian has been postponed so SAU will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. against Bellevue. That game will be played at Cownie, Des Moines at the Hidden Valley Soccer Complex.

Lyphout Named MCC Offensive Player of the Week

Oct. 5, 2009

Junior midfielder/forward Kari Lyphout was named the Midwest Collegiate Conference Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week today after her strong performance in two matches last week.

Lyphout, from East Moline, Ill., had three goals and two assists in two SAU shutout wins last week. She started the week by scoring three goals and adding an assist in the Queen Bees' 6-0 win over Mount Mercy. It was Lyphout's second hat trick of the year.

Sunday, she added an assist as part of a 3-0 St. Ambrose win over Clarke.

So far this season, Lyphout shares the team lead in goals with 10 and is second on the team in assists (3) and points (23). The Bees are off to a 10-1 start, including a 4-0 mark in conference play.

SAU will look to improve on a four-game winning streak when the team visits Ashford Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Bees Improve to 10-1, 4-0 in MCC

Oct. 4, 2009

After a day of waiting for better weather and field conditions, St. Ambrose took the field and came out victorious with a 3-0 decision over Clarke to improve to 10-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play.

Allison Bevenue got things going at the 38th minute mark by taking a pass from Ashley Dexter and knocking it in from about 15 yards out to make the score 1-0. The Bees continued to battle and controlled the second half and got back on the scoreboard at the 86th minute mark with a goal by Sara Kulaga assisted by Kari Lyphout. The Bees wrapped up the game by scoring again at the 89th minute with a goal by Alyssa Dresen assisted by Kirstin Perkins.

Lauren Gunawan recorded her sixth shutout of the year and third in a row.

St. Ambrose doesn't have much time to rejoice in their victory as the Bees will travel to Ashford Oct. 6 for a 4 p.m. contest.

Success Continues at Home as Bees Sting Mustangs

Sept. 30, 2009

St. Ambrose improved to 9-1 overall and 3-0 in the MCC with a 6-0 shutout victory over Mount Mercy Wednesday.

From the sound of the first whistle, the Bees controlled the action. After a short period of defensive battling, SAU’s Sam Cohen started things off by capitalizing on Kari Lyphout’s assist at 31 minute mark. Three minutes later, Alex Hemmen scored the game’s second goal on a penalty kick. The first half would end with the Bees holding a 2-0 lead.

Lyphout got her first of three consecutive goals at the 59-minute mark with an unassisted goal and her second - coming at the 80-minute mark - was aided from a sweet pass from Allison Bevenue. At the 83 minute mark, Sam Cohen returned her teammates first half favor by providing an assist to Lyphout as she successfully completed her second hat trick of the season. Before the game ended, Ashley Dexter got in on the action by scoring off Bevenue's second assist in the 86th minute.

St. Ambrose out-shot Mount Mercy (5-7-1, 0-3 MCC) 30-2.

St. Ambrose's next matchup is at 1 p.m. on Oct. 3 against Clarke at home.

Bevenue Named MCC Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week

Sept. 28, 2009

Freshman Allison Bevenue was named the Midwest Collegiate Conference Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week today after her performance in two matches last week.

St. Ambrose picked up victories over Luther College and Waldorf and Bevenue, a midfielder from Millstadt, Ill., played a large role. The Queen Bees earned a 4-3 win over Luther before picking up a 2-0 win over Waldorf, SAU's fourth shutout this year. The Bees are 8-1 overall and 2-0 in MCC play.

This season, Bevenue has started all nine matches and has scored one goal. She is part of a defense that has allowed only nine goals all year.

Bevenue was one of four St. Ambrose student-athletes to win the weekly conference award, joining Lauren Aderman (volleyball setter), Dusty Drenth (men's golf) and Caiti Childers (women's golf).

SAU Moves to 8-1 Overall and 2-0 in MCC

Sept. 26, 2009

Coming off of a big victory against Luther, the Saint Ambrose women’s soccer team took on Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa Saturday.  Waldorf, who stood at 4-5-1 prior to the game, fought hard defensively against a talented Fighting Bees team. SAU, however, eventually broke Waldorf’s strong barriers and improved their record to 8-1.

After a scoreless first half, both teams battled aggressively for the game’s first goal, which did not come until the games 74:37 mark when SAU’s Allison Bevenue scored the game’s first goal. Minutes later, at the 76:58 mark, Sam Cohen doubled Ambrose’s lead with an unassisted goal. SAU finished the game with a 2-0 lead, picking up another victory and momentum as they head into the season’s second half.

The Fighting Bees will take on Mount Mercy at home on September 30 at 4 p.m.

Bees Hang on For 4-3 Win

Sept. 22, 2009

Kari Lyphout scored three goals and Courtney Seffrood added another to improve St. Ambrose to 7-1 overall after a 4-3 win over Luther College.

Seffrood got things going scoring on the 7th minute off an assist from Ashley Dexter. Less than a minute later, Lyphout got in on the action with her first of three goals off another assist from Dexter. Luther battled back with goals by Kelsey Balk at the 33rd minute and Dani Meirick at the 47th minute.

The Bees didn't let the tie game get them down as the buzzed back with Lyphout's second goal at the 58th minute off the assist from Nikki Boland and much like the first pair of goals, less than a minute later, Lyphout completed the hat trick at the 59th minute with the assist from Brittany Davies. Luther chipped in another goal at the 76th minute mark by Meirick but the Bees held on for the win.

Dexter extended her consecutive point streak to eight games with her pair of assists.

The Bees have a few days off before the travel the long trip to take on Midwest Collegiate Conference foe Waldorf at 2 p.m. on Sept. 26.

Gunawan and Dexter Named MCC Players of the Week

Sept. 21, 2009

Lauren Gunawan and Ashley Dexter were recognized for their strong play last week as the two were named the Midwest Collegiate Conference's Defensive and Offensive Players of the Week, respectively, today.

Gunawan picked up a pair of wins, including her second shutout of the season, last week. The junior from Neponset, Ill., made four saves as the Queen Bees defeated the College of St. Mary 3-1 last Wednesday. She saved a pair of shots as SAU opened MCC play with a 7-0 win over Viterbo on Saturday. Gunawan closed the week by making five saves in a 3-1 loss to NCAA Division I Western Illinois.

This season, Gunawan is 4-1 and has surrendered only five goals in more than 524 minutes of action in goal.

Dexter has had an outstanding start this season. The freshman forward from Eldridge, Iowa, continued her torrid scoring pace by scoring five goals in three matches last week.

She had single goals in the win over St. Mary and the loss to Western Illinois. Against Viterbo, she scored the team's first three goals of the game in picking up the hat trick.

Dexter leads the team with nine goals and three assists. She has recorded a point in every match this season and has scored a goal in six of the seven matches.

Gunawan and Dexter were two of four Bees to earn the weekly honor from the conference. John Darmody was named the MCC men's cross country harrier of the week and Lauren Aderman won the conference volleyball setter of the week award.

Early Goals Doom Bees; Team Loses First Game of Year

Sept. 20, 2009

As the rain trickled down slowly, Western Illinois didn’t allow that to stop them for scoring early. Western Illinois’ Jill Kevorkian got things going in the second minute of the game off an assist from Miranda Graham. WIU didn’t waste much more time as Courtney Bresnahan scored in the fifth minute and Kevorkian added another goal at the eighth minute.

As the rain went away and the sun started to shine, the Bees looked like a new team and started to control the game. The Bees had their chances, but the ball just wasn’t going into the net. Ashley Dexter finally got one to go in in the 86th minute off an assist from Sam Cohen.

Lauren Gunawan had five saves for the Bees.

The Bees out shot Western Illinois 15-8.

The Bees can’t dwell on this loss for long as they continue their home stand Tuesday as the play Luther at 4 p.m. at the Davenport soccer complex.

Bees Win Conference Opener

Sept. 19, 2009

The Queen Bees won their conference opener against Viterbo University by a score of 7-0. Ashley Dexter got things going by scoring off Courtney Seffrood’s assist in the first half to make it 1-0. The Bees opened up the flood gates in the second half as Dexter completed the hat trick, her second goal off an assist from Alex Hemmen and the third goal unassisted.

The scoring continued as Kari Lyphout, Sam Cohen, and Nikki Boland each contributed goals and Cohen capped it off by scoring her second goal of the match to make it 7-0.

The Bees out shot Viterbo 31-4.

The Fighting Bees’ next game is at home against Division I school Western Illinois.

Bees Keep Rolling with 3-1 Win

Sept. 16, 2009

With their record unblemished at 4-0, the St. Ambrose University Queen Bees women’s soccer team took on College of Saint Mary Wednesday. Although CSM is located in Omaha, Neb., the Bees were only required to travel to Des Moines, Iowa, where the game took place.

SAU, as they had in their first four games, continued to display their unbreakable defense throughout the matchup. Although all of their five attempted shots were recorded as shots on goal, CSM only managed to score once in the game. The goal stands as only the third point the Fighting Bees’ defense has let up so far this season.

SAU’s offense, however, attempted a total of 21 shots, successfully scoring on three of the 21. The goals came from Ashley Dexter in the 32^nd minute, Alyssa Dresen in the 64th, and Kirstin Perkins in the 71^st.

The Fighting Bees’ next game is Sept. 19 at 1 p.m., when they will take on Viterbo at home.

SAU Now 4-0 After Another Shutout Win

Sept. 10, 2009

St. Ambrose improved to 4-0 overall after a 3-0 win at Coe Thursday. The Bees have posted back-to-back shutout wins and have allowed only two goals all season.

Although SAU dominated play, outshooting the Kohawks 12-1 in the first half, the game remained scoreless until the 42nd minute. Kelsey Carroll took a pass from Kirstin Perkins and scored on an empty net to push the Bees in front.

Just 1:35 into the second half, SAU extended its lead to 2-0 when Ashley Dexter scored her team-high fourth goal of the season. Kari Lyphout was credited with the assist.

The scoring ended 12 minutes later when Dexter found Sam Cohen for her first goal of the year.

SAU finished with 20 total shots and put 12 on goal. Coe (1-2) managed a mere two shots.

Lauren Gunawan played the first 29:13 in goal before Sara Mainey finished by making one save.

SAU will play St. Mary (Neb.) in Des Moines on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Rockrohr Named MCC Defensive Player of the Week

Sept. 8, 2009

Molly Rockrohr was named the Midwest Collegiate Conference Defensive Player of the Week today after helping the Queen Bee soccer team open the season with three straight wins.

Rockrohr, a sophomore from Chicago Heights, Ill., has led a defense that has allowed only two goals through three matches this year. The Bees surrendered one goal in a 3-1 win over Loras and another goal in a 2-1 win over Ottawa. SAU closed the week with a 4-0 shutout over Robert Morris.

Rockrohr was one of four SAU student-athletes named conference player of the week. Lauren Aderman was named the MCC Volleyball Setter of the Week, Tori Bown was named the MCC Women's Golfer of the Week, and Jim Forner was named the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League Defensive Player of the Week.

Bees Move to 3-0 with Shutout Victory

Sept. 6, 2009

Kari Lyphout scored a pair of goals as St. Ambrose shut out Robert Morris 4-0 Sunday afternoon at the Davenport Soccer Complex. The Bees are a perfect 3-0 to start the season.

Ashley Dexter passed to Lyphout who got the scoring started in the match's 15th minute. One minute later, Dexter fired a shot that was saved by the Robert Morris goalkeeper but Lyphout buried the rebound into the back of the net for a two-goal advantage. Lyphout and Dexter each have three goals in the early going this season.

Early in the second half, a corner kick slipped through traffic and into the net for a 3-0 score. Kelly Schroeder was credited with the goal while Dexter and Sam Cohen had the assists.

Alex Hemmen completed the scoring by converting her second penalty kick of the year in the 77th minute.

Lauren Gunawan earned the shutout win by making seven saves in goal.

SAU will look to keep its unbeaten streak alive when the team visits Coe Thursday at 5 p.m.

SAU Hangs On to 2-1 Win

Sept. 4, 2009

Kari Lyphout and Ashley Dexter scored goals as St. Ambrose improved to 2-0 with a 2-1 win over Ottawa Friday afternoon at the Davenport Soccer Complex.

Lyphout scored just two minutes into the match to give the Bees an early lead. Early in the second half, Ottawa evened the score at 1-1. A little more than five minutes later, Alyssa Dresen found Dexter who scored her third goal of the season to give SAU a 2-1 lead.

Two SAU goalkeepers made the one-goal advantage hold up. Lauren Gunawan made four saves in goal in the first half before Sara Mainey came up with five saves in the second half to get the win.

St. Ambrose will host Robert Morris Sunday at 12 p.m.

Bees Start Season with 3-1 Win

Sept. 1, 2009

In her first collegiate match, freshman Ashley Dexter scored a pair of goals as St. Ambrose opened the 2009 season with a 3-1 win over Loras Tuesday afternoon at the Davenport Soccer Complex.

Dexter's first goal gave broke a 1-1 tie in the 77th minute. Amelia Horras had the assist. In the closing minute, Dexter added an unassisted insurance goal to secure the win.

The two teams battled through an even first half with St. Ambrose taking the lead on an Alex Hemmen penalty kick late in the half. The game remained 1-0 until the 71st minute when Loras scored the tying goal. But just six minutes later, Dexter found the back of the net to push the Bees back in front.

Lauren Gunawan was solid in goal, making four saves to earn the win.

The Bees will host the SAU Classic this weekend at the Davenport Soccer Complex. St. Ambrose will play Ottawa Friday and Robert Morris Sunday. Siena Heights is also playing this weekend.