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Ristow named AD3I Student-Athlete of the Month OVERLAND PARK, Kan.—The post-season awards keep rolling in for Mount Mary, as sophomore soccer forward Emily Ristow (Sheboygan, Wis.) was named the league’s Student-Athlete of the Month for October 2012. In the final month of the season alone, Ristow scored in each of Mount Mary’s seven games and netted a total of 14 goals and three assists. She tied a season high with four goals scored in a 5-1 win over Lincoln Christian University and added a pair of hat tricks in wins over LCU and Robert Morris University-Peoria in the span of one weekend. Ristow, a fashion design major, has smashed school records for single-season and career scoring at Mount Mary, single-handedly scoring more goals this season than the program has since in inception four years ago. The Association of Division III Independents consists of nine Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions and to provide exempted postseason championship competition in nine sports in 2012-13. The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. The Association also provides statistical services for its members in seven sports. More information about the Association of Division III Independents is available at www.d3independents.org. Six earn All-AD3I honors; Ristow Offensive Player, Shokatz Coach of the Year OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The record-breaking soccer season continued weeks after the season ended, as an unprecedented six Blue Angels graced All-Association of Division III Independents teams, as announced by the AD3I Thursday. Also for the first time in school history, Mount Mary boasted the Association's Offensive Player of the Year. Sophomore forward Emily Ristow (Sheboygan, Wis.) torched the scoring record books this season with 33 goals scored and eight assists for an impressive 74 points scored through the team's 15-game schedule. Those statistics – both season-highs and career-highs among current and former Blue Angel soccer players – made Ristow a unanimous Offensive Player of the Year selection from the AD3I. Also gracing the First Team was junior forward Rasika Perera (Oak Creek, Wis.), junior midfielder Allison Appmann (Racine, Wis.) and junior defender Nina Her (Brown Deer, Wis.). Junior defender Ashley Leverenz and senior goalkeeper Kirby McMahon garnered Second Team honors, rounding out a Blue Angel-heavy pair of All-AD3I squads. Perera finished second on the team in scoring with 17 goals scored and 10 assists recorded on the season—also ranking second in school history. Appmann was tops among Association midfielders with three goals and seven assists recorded, while Her's pair of goals and stellar sweeping defense also earned top team honors. Leverenz's leadership as team captain while anchoring the defensive end of the field and McMahon's improved presence in goal also earned them their first ever post season accolades. Mount Mary head coach Joe Shokatz also took home unanimous Coach of the Year honors after recording the program's first-ever winning season. In 2011, the Blue Angels struggled to an 0-11 finish while this year's 8-7 mark was the Association's best turnaround. St. Joseph's College teammates Nicole Farinella and Pamela Chernyakhovsky rounded out the special awards, taking home Defensive Player and Rookie of the Year honors respectively. All-Association of Division III Independents Soccer Teams OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Emily Ristow, So., Mount Mary College DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nicole Farinella, Jr., St. Joseph's College ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Pamela Chernyakhovsky, Fr., St. Joseph's College COACH OF THE YEAR: Joe Shokatz, Mount Mary College FIRST TEAM SECOND TEAM The Association of Division III Independents consists of 10 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition. The Association also recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. The Association provides statistical services for its members in seven sports. In addition it will announce All-Independent teams at the conclusion of eight other sports this year. More information about the Association of Division III Independents is available at www.d3independents.org. Ristow named AD3I Player of the Week OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Sophomore forward Emily Ristow (Sheboygan, Wis.) was honored as the Association of Division III Independents women's soccer Player of the Week for the week of October 15-21. The sophomore forward scored seven goals on last weekend's road trip to central Illinois. Friday, Ristow scored four against Lincoln Christian University in a 6-2 win, and three more in a 7-0 shutout at Robert Morris University-Peoria on Saturday. The prolific weekend propelled Ristow into school history as Mount Mary's leading scorer, already with 30 goals through the team's 13 games played. "I could not be prouder of Emily and all of her accomplishments this season," head coach Joe Shokatz said. "Scoring her 30th goal of the season in only 13 games is remarkable. At times this year, she has carried us, and really provided a constant scoring threat. She is dangerous to get a goal every time she touches the ball. In one season she already has scored the most goals in school history for a season and a career." Despite being a prolific scorer, Shokatz also commended the effort of Ristow's team-first mentality. "What is even more admiring is that she could have scored many more goals, but instead gives up chances to score to find an open teammate and constantly has been trying to get others involved," Shokatz said. "She also has received the most attention from other teams as they try to stop her with their best defender and even two at times. But her skill, heart and passion for the game are unmatched." Ristow has already led the Mount Mary College soccer team to its first winning season in school history, currently at 8-5 overall. Wednesday the Blue Angels host intracity rival Alverno and Sunday they wrap up the season against UW-Superior, also at home. Ristow is the second Blue Angel to be awarded this honor, as teammate Rasika Perera (Oak Creek, Wis.) was also distinguished as the AD3I women's soccer Player of the Week back in September. Mount Mary Tames Lions, Picks up Sixth Win of the Year MILWAUKEE – The momentum earned from last weekend's road trip carried over into Tuesday's game, as Mount Mary picked up a resounding win over Lincoln Christian University in Milwaukee, 5-1. "The mood was good after the very physical play over the weekend," head coach Joe Shokatz said. "We had a good practice yesterday where we really tried to let our bodies recover and just get physically ready to play. Getting several players back really provided the difference as we came out with the same effort from Saturday." It took less than two minutes before Mount Mary dented the scoreboard, as junior Emily Ristow kept her outstanding offensive run intact, scoring two goals in the first 17 minutes of the first half. Lincoln Christian answered however at the 22-minute mark to pull to within one goal, but Ristow and Perera answered with two more goals less than two minutes apart to essentially put the game away. Junior Allison Appmann (Racine, Wis.) tacked on her second goal of the season as well, midway through the second half to finish off all scoring. "I thought Ashley (Leverenz) played well in the back and our team is really starting to work well together and are able to possess for more than three or four passes," Shokatz said. "We scored our best goal of the year where we are able to connect several passes out of the back, work it up the sideline and then back to the other side for a wide open shot. We now have 11 days to recover and really work on our communication and possession." Mount Mary, which is just two wins away from clinching its first ever winning season, will enjoy an 11-day hiatus as it recovers for its final push of the season. The Blue Angels will host Grace Bible College, who they beat 4-3 last Saturday in Michigan, for a 1 p.m. start Saturday, Oct. 13. Mount Mary College 5, Lincoln Christian 1 Goals: MMC – 5 (Ristow 3, Perera, Appmann); LCU – 1 Team Records: Mount Mary College 6-4; Lincoln Christian 3-3 Blue Angels Split Hard-Fought Road Trip BARRIEN SPRINGS, Mich./GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Mount Mary College soccer squad kept up its most prolific season in school history, winning two of three on last week's schedule. In the team's first overnight trip of the year to central Michigan, Mount Mary fell at Andrews University 4-1 Friday afternoon before posting a gritty 4-3 win against Grace Bible College on Saturday. "The long bus ride meant that we were not ready to play," head coach Joe Shokatz said. "It was our first real road test of the season and we just were not ready when the whistle blew. We had a few line-up changes at the last minute and I did not get the girls ready to play." Mount Mary's lone goal came from junior Emily Ristow (Sheboygan, Wis.) in the first half, but Andrews tacked on two in the opening stanza to own a 2-1 lead at the break. But the six-hour-plus drive was too much for the "We fought the whole game and Emily provided us with some chances on a few good setups from Cynthia, but we were down at the half and with no subs, our mood was not good. We gave up two quick goals in the second half and couldn't recover." Due to injuries sustained in the very physical loss to Andrews, Mount Mary opened Saturday's game against Grace Bible College with just 10 healthy bodies. Yet despite adversity, Shokatz was pleased with the way his team fought. "The girls regrouped the night before and the time together really paid off," Shokatz said. "We played our best all-around team game, getting great contributions from everyone." Ristow put away two first half goals with assists from freshman Cynthia Covarrubias (Milwaukee, Wis.) and junior Lauren Renz (Jefferson, Wis.), and a beautiful free kick put the Blue Angels up 3-1 at the half. But competing one player short took its toll into the second half, as defensively Mount Mary started showing fatigue. Add in a brief injury to Ristow and the Tigers were able to storm back to tie the game at 3-3 with just minutes left in the game. Ristow returned to score what would be the game-winner with just eight minutes to go, and senior goalkeeper Kirby McMahon (Grayslake, Ill.) withstood some very physical play from Grace to snatch the hard-fought victory on the road. "I really credit our captains and their leadership to help keep the girls focused and involved," Shokatz said. "I am really happy with the growth of this team." Andrews University 4, Mount Mary College 1 Goals: AU – 4; MMC – 1 (Ristow) Team Records: Andrews University 2-8; Mount Mary College 4-4 Mount Mary College 4, Grace Bible College 3 Goals: MMC – 4 (Ristow 4); GBC – 3 Team Records: Mount Mary College 5-4; Grace Bible College 1-9 Blue Angels Pick Apart Robert Morris Pair WAUKEGAN, Ill./MILWAUKEE – The Mount Mary College soccer team clinched its winningest season in recent history with a pair of wins over Robert Morris University-Lake County and RMU-Peoria this week. Junior Emily Ristow (Sheboygan, Wis.) scored four goals to lead the attack for Mount Mary, while senior Rasika Perera (Oak Creek, Wis.) added three. "Not a bad effort for our first true road game of the year," head coach Joe Shokatz said. "It took us a while to get used to the environment, a very fast turf field and a very strong constant wind made playing conditions tricky—we had four throw-ins at midfield that Sophie (DeRosier) threw out for goal kicks." While the offense put up seven goals in the game, Shokatz praised his team's efforts on the defensive side of the ball as well, only giving up two shots all game. "I thought our defense was solid," Shokatz said. "We came out with more focus than our last game, and I really think that the players are starting to understand how I want to play the game. We had some very good practices in the last week with Sarah McVey really showing tremendous improvement. We have really started to come together as a team, feed off each other and have a good idea of what each person is capable of." Mount Mary kept up its winning ways Friday afternoon, as it welcomed another Robert Morris satellite, Peoria, to Milwaukee. And much like its Lake County affiliate, Peoria ran into a Mount Mary buzzsaw that saw 26 shots and five goals scored as the Blue Angels scored its second victory of the week, 5-0. Ristow again led the way with a hat-trick-plus-one, scoring her second straight four-goal game of the week. Perera added the other goal for Mount Mary, while also picking up an assist. Senior Kirby McMahon (Grayslake, Ill.) pitched two shutouts in goal, stopping one shot on goal from Peoria in the first half. Junior Nina Her (Milwaukee, Wis.) played the second half in goal against RMU-P, picking up two saves in 45 minutes. Mount Mary will next have its first overnight trip of the year as it travels to central Michigan to take on Andrews University Friday afternoon and Grace Bible College in a Saturday matinee. Mount Mary College 7, Robert Morris University-Lake County 0 Goals: MMC – 7 (Ristow 4, Perera 3); RMULC – 0 Team Records: Mount Mary College 3-3; Robert Morris University-Lake County 0-7 Mount Mary College 5, Robert Morris University-Peoria 0 Goals: MMC – 5 (Ristow 4, Perera 1); RMUP – 0 Team Records: Mount Mary College 4-3; Robert Morris University-Peoria 0-7 Golden Eagles Too Much for Blue Angels MILWAUKEE – The Mount Mary College soccer team ran into a buzzsaw Friday afternoon on its own soccer pitch, as visiting Spalding University dominated the Blue Angels in a 4-0 victory. It was a beautiful fall day weather-wise, but Mount Mary (2-3) experienced a storm of Spalding attacks as the Golden Eagles (5-1) held possession for much of the game. When the dust settled, Spalding outshot Mount Mary 41-9 and put 21 of those shots on goal. While Mount Mary's senior goalkeeper Kirby McMahon (Grayslake, Ill.) managed to save 17 of those attempts, Spalding's pressure on both sides of the ball was too much for the host Blue Angels to get anything going offensively. "The emotion was really lacking. And while we played hard, it was without much passion," head coach Joe Shokatz said. Spalding scored a pair of goals midway through the second half to take a 2-0 lead at the break. The Golden Eagles responded in the second half with another early goal from its starting left forward Heather Stillwell in the 52nd minute and she added another in the 75th minute to end the scoring at 4-0. Mount Mary did have a handful of opportunities, as junior Emily Ristow (Sheboygan, Wis.) and senior Rasika Perera (Oak Creek, Wis.) had some breakaway attempts, but neither Mount Mary scoring threat found the back of the net. While the loss drops the season mark below .500 on the year, the roster continued to grow with the addition of freshman Mollee Ostrenga (Escanaba, Mich.) in Friday's matchup against Spalding. After what seemed like a struggle simply to field enough athletes—in fact finishing the first couple games with fewer than 11 players—the recent additions of Ostrenga, junior Vanessa Schellinger (West Bend, Wis.) and freshman Barwako Osman (Milwaukee, Wis.) have enabled head coach Joe Shokatz to utilize some much-needed substitutes. Yet despite a full roster on paper, things just didn't seem to "click" according to Shokatz. "We were hoping that it would be our first game with our entire roster available and helpful," Shokatz said. "A few players were late to the field and we never really got into the game." Mount Mary returns to action Wednesday for just its second road game of the season at Robert Morris University – Lake County. The Blue Angels have already beaten the Eagles this season—9-0 in the season opener for both squads—at Mount Mary's Blue Angel Invitational. Spalding University 4, Mount Mary College 0 Goals: SU – 4; MMC – 0 Perera honored by AD3I as first ever MMC Player of the Week "This award and recognition speaks volumes on how far the program has come in the last few seasons," head coach Joe Shokatz said after Thursday's announcement. "Awards that recognize scoring in soccer should also recognize the whole team who put our forwards in a position to be successful. But scoring goals is very difficult—not everyone can do it and Rasika has been very successful and good at her job this season." Perera scored three goals and added an assist in Mount Mary's 6-2 victory over Rockford last Saturday as the Blue Angels are off to their best start in school history. With the victory over the Regents, Mount Mary improved to 2-2 overall on the season and Perera and teammate Emily Ristow (Sheboygan, Wis.) have each tallied seven goals apiece. Among all NCAA Division III programs, Perera's efforts are getting noticed in several individual statistical categories. Averaging 1.33 goals and 3.33 points (goals and assists) per game, Perera ranks 30th and 20th nationally, respectively, in this young season. She also ranks in the top 100 in total goals, total assists, assists per game, total points and game-winning goals. And though she has played in only four games the season, Perera has already established herself as a major offensive threat for a much-improved Blue Angel soccer squad. "Not one person on the team has endured and overcome as many hardships both on the field and off that Rasika has faced this season," Shokatz said. "It is also an award for her determination to succeed not only in soccer, but also in life." Perera becomes Mount Mary's first ever AD3I Player of the Week honored in women's soccer and joins the College of New Rochelle's volleyball player Meghan King (New City, N.Y.) as the first 2012 recipients of the P.O.W. honors. Mount Mary storms Regents, ups record to 2-2 Juniors Emily Ristow (Sheboygan, Wis.) and Rasika Perera (Oak Creek, Wis.) combined to push the Blue Angels ahead 4-0, likely breaking school scoring records in the process. Perera's late goal in the second half gave her seven on the season, tying her teammate with stellar offensive prowess through just four games. "Having two players who are very strong, fast goal-scorers really helps," Shokatz said. "The two of them really change what the defense has to do. It's hard to key on just one because if you do, the other makes you pay." Ristow took just seven minutes to beat Rockford's defense, unintentionally taking out its starting goalkeeper in the process. The keeper collided with Ristow's knee after the shot was kicked and spent several minutes being tended to by the Mount Mary training staff. Yet the break in action didn't seem to affect the Blue Angels, who continued to pressure the Regents. Six minutes later, Perera added a goal on a breakaway up the left side, and a second goal at the 20-minute mark on a cross from Ristow to take command of the game. "We wanted to come out and play hard right away after losing our last two matches, and we were able to do that," head coach Joe Shokatz said. "We had a few chances early and Emily was able to get a breakaway and finish on a strong challenge by their keeper to give us the early lead." Rockford was able to score late in the first half to trail 4-1 at the break and took advantage of a misplayed ball by the Blue Angels to score again, but Mount Mary held the Regents offense in check for much of the game, playing good balls ahead to its very potent offense. Senior defender Ashley Leverenz (Mauston, Wis.) also notched her first-ever collegiate goal Saturday, beating the goalkeeper on a penalty kick in the 73rd minute. "I'm really pleased with our effort and our ability to improve each game," Shokatz said. "[We're] looking forward to a good week of practice and having our whole roster available for our next match on Friday. We have yet to have our full complement of players and I really think having a few subs will help the girls keep their intensity for the whole game." Mount Mary will play its fourth home game this Friday, hosting Spalding University in a 4 p.m. matchup. Based out of Louisville, Ky., the Eagles will be making a brief Wisconsin tour, playing nearby Maranatha Baptist Bible College Thursday before traveling eastward to take on the Blue Angels Friday afternoon. Mount Mary College 6, Rockford College 2 Goals: MMC - Perera 3 (14', 20', 88'), Ristow 2 (8', 22'), Leverenz - 1 (73'); RC - 2 Team Records: Mount Mary College 2-2; Rockford College 0-3 Blue Angels battle Injuries, engulfed by Inferno "It was our first road game of the season and played well for the first half," head coach Joe Shokatz said. "The pressure was too much as we allowed five goals. Playing strong in the defeat were our freshmen Nina Her, Cynthia Covarrubias, and Vanessa Schellinger." Mount Mary did have a handful of chances early in the first half, as junior forward Rasika Perera (Oak Creek, Wis.) forged a shot against the Alverno goalkeeper, but it was the only shot on goal for the Blue Angels. Alverno, meanwhile, was able to blast two shots past senior goalkeeper Kirby McMahon (Grayslake, Ill.) in the first half before the defense broke down in the second en route to a 7-0 loss. Junior Emily Ristow, who left the game with asthma-related issues, sent three shots in-range but none of them found the back of the Alverno net. Mount Mary returns home for a Saturday afternoon matinee against Rockford College. The Regents are 0-2 on the season following a pair of losses last weekend in Northern Athletics Conference play. Alverno College 7, Mount Mary College 0 Goals: MMC – None; AC – 7 Team Records: Mount Mary College 1-2; Alverno College 1-0 Soccer splits home openers at MMC Invite The Blue Angels got on the scoreboard early and often against RMU-LC Friday afternoon, as junior midfielder Emily Ristow (Sheboygan, Wis.) scored all four of her game-high goals within the first 31 minutes of the game. "After two weeks of training, we were excited to get the games underway," head coach Joe Shokatz said. "We quickly scored two goals in the first eight minutes and never looked back." Senior forward Rasika Perera (Oak Creek, Wis.) got the scoring going for the Blue Angels, beating her defender in the seventh minute to take the early lead. Ristow then tallied the next four goals before Perera added two more in the 39th and 40th minutes to become the second Blue Angel to earn a hat trick. Junior midfielder Allison Appmann (Racine, Wis.) added a goal late in 40th minute to surge Mount Mary to a commanding 8-0 lead at the half. After some positional re-working in the second half, junior Nina Her added a goal in the 83rd minute on an assist from Appmann to round out the box score—a 9-0 victory for Mount Mary. While Mount Mary truly dictated Friday's matchup against Robert Morris, Saturday's matchup with Crown proved a bit more difficult. The Blue Angels found themselves on the defensive much more often than they did Friday, as a strong and physical Storm team scored the first two goals of the game in the 17th and 34th minute. Ristow stayed quick with her feet though, notching a late first-half goal just before halftime to cut the deficit in half. That deficit was pushed right back to two goals as Crown opened with a goal in the 52nd minute and put the game away with another in the 84th minute to go up 4-1. Another late half goal from Perera proved too little, too late for the Blue Angels, who fought hard but came up short, 4-2. "It was a hard fought game, but in the end, our lack of depth and playing back-to-back games really wore the girls out," Shokatz said. "With a few more healthy players, I believe the outcome may have been different." After pitching a shutout Friday, senior goalkeeper Kirby McMahon (Grayslake, Ill.) was bombarded with 18 Crown shots on goal, and had some unlucky bounces count against her. Though the 11 goals scored in the opening weekend was a great preview as to what this team can do offensively. Mount Mary will travel to crosstown rival Alverno to take on the Inferno at 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. Mount Mary College 9, Robert Morris University-Lake County 0 Goals: MMC - Ristow 4 (8', 13', 17', 31'), Perera 3 (7', 39', 40'), Appmann 1 (40'), Her 1 (83'); RMULC - 0 Team Records: Mount Mary College 1-0, RMU-Lake County 0-1. Crown College 4, Mount Mary College 2 Goals: MMC - Ristow 1 (44'), Perera 1 (87'); CC - 4 Team Records: Mount Mary College 1-1; Crown College 2-0 The Season Begins |
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