Women's Soccer
Coach's Comments
For comments from Coach Sherry about each game, please click here2004-05 Recruits
Click here for information about Graceland's 2004-05 women's soccer recruits06-10-04 Yellowjacket Soccer Academy Kicks off the Summer of 2004
Click here for Soccer Academy photosGraceland coaches Ivan Joseph and Kevin Sherry taught technical and tactical concepts combined with team shape to 57 young soccer players at the Yellowjacket Soccer Academy held in Lamoni, Iowa, this week.
“Almost 60 players of all ages, all abilities and from many different walks of life came together to share in the love for soccer which we all have,” says Coach Sherry. “They all made tremendous improvements as players and we have high hopes for next year's camp.”
It was an amazing week, highlighted by the campers playing under the lights on Graceland’s varsity game field, futsal soccer and indoor pool activities.
Top instruction to improve technical, tactical and mental skills was taught by Coach Joseph, Coach Sherry, Randall Porter and Angel Monroy. Joseph and Sherry each hold a U.S. Soccer Federation “A” license and Sherry was a professional player in both England and Hong Kong. Porter played for the Sacramento Knights professional team and Monroy is an assistant coach for the Graceland Yellowjackets.
A parent of a camper who is also a vice president of a soccer club e-mailed the following to Coach Sherry during the academy: “My son really likes your camp. He says he is really having fun and learning some things. The kids are good that he is around and just wanted you to know that I have passed this information on to our club members.”
All ages and all abilities were catered for during the academy, due to the one to ten camper to coach ratio. Each camper also received a water bottle, T-shirt and ball.
The next Yellowjacket Soccer Academy will be held in June of 2005. Please contact Kevin Sherry at 641-784-5321 or Ivan Joseph at 641-784-5430 for more information about next year’s academy.
06-09-04 Martinez Continues Standout Soccer Play in College
Article courtesy of The Brownsville HeraldBy Roy Hess
To view this article in the Brownsville Herald, please visit: http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/sports_comments.php?id=59642_0_9_0
Adjusting to college competition can be quite a challenge for a high school athlete.
Zulema Martinez, 19, knows the feeling. The former Hanna standout received an opportunity to play soccer for Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, after graduating in 2003.
Even though Martinez knew it would be a big transition, her game never skipped a beat. A center midfielder and four-year varsity starter during her time at Hanna, the two-time District 32-5A MVP found herself switching to forward and earning a spot in the starting lineup as a freshman for Coach Kevin Sherry at Graceland.
Martinez led the team with 20 goals and added 11 assists as the Yellowjackets finished 16-2-3 with a No. 17 spot in the final NAIA national rankings.
Graceland’s season lasted from September to November and the Yellowjackets reached the Region V semifinals. Martinez was chosen to the Heart of America Athletic Conference’s first team. She also earned HAAC player of the week honors by recording four goals and three assists in two of Graceland’s victories early in the season.
"There was an extreme adjustment for me to play soccer in college," said Martinez, who last month returned to Brownsville for the summer. "Not only because of the (new) position that I was playing, but the style of coaching was different than what I was used to. (At the beginning of the season) there were so many freshmen on the team competing for the forward positions that I seriously doubted that I would start.
"The level of play was a lot higher (at Graceland) because the girls play a lot tougher and have just as much or more experience than me," she added. "The only reason I did well throughout the season was because my teammates were wonderful and helped me out a lot to succeed as much I did in scoring."
Martinez is the daughter of Raul and Norma Linda Martinez of Brownsville. She has five older brothers and sisters plus a younger brother who is 16. Her major at Graceland is secondary history and she hopes to teach after she graduates.
Joining Martinez as a freshman forward in the Yellowjackets’ soccer lineup last season was Jocelyn Jentsch of Harlingen. The former Harlingen High standout also enjoyed a successful season as she led the team with 14 assists and also had 14 goals, a total that was surpassed only by Martinez.
"A lot of responsibility was put on both of these players’ shoulders and they handled it extremely well," said Sherry, a native of Great Britain who coached soccer in Japan for eight years prior to becoming Graceland’s coach in 2001. "I am so very proud of them.
"They have three more years to develop and help take this team to the national championship," he added. "The potential is mind-bending. We have great hopes and plans for Zulema and Jocelyn. They work well together, and as they mature as players, the region and nation as a whole will see some of the best attacking soccer around.
"The biggest asset I see in both of them is their ability to listen to coaching and their deep desire to improve and succeed. I have complete trust and faith in them as people and as players. We are very lucky to have them."
Martinez said Graceland’s success last season was a pleasant surprise and added that the Yellowjackets are now intent upon recording better showings in the coming years.
"I was very pleased with the teammates I had because we had this chemistry that took us far beyond our goals for the (2003) season," she said. "We were a game away from nationals. In the future, I would like to see us make it there and win. I believe it is very possible with the fire we have and the direction that Coach Sherry has given us. Anything is possible."
Martinez plans to find a summer job and train in Brownsville with Daniel Reyna over the next two months before returning to Graceland for her sophomore season. She credits a number of influences for her soccer abilities.
"I think what prepared me the most for college soccer was the club teams that I’ve played for," she said. "Club soccer has given me an opportunity to play all over Texas and gain lots of experience. I have shared precious memories with girls who have been my teammates like Anais Gonzalez of Lopez, Gaby Cardenas of Rivera, and of course, Claudia Sibaja and Cindy Rebollo of Hanna. Coach Reyes Prado (of Hanna) helped me obtain a different attitude toward soccer and I was lucky to have him as my coach.
"Also, I have the utter most respect for my trainer Daniel Reyna," Martinez added. "He has been a very important mentor to my soccer success both in high school and college. His guidance and patience for several years now has molded me into the player I am today."
02-02-04 Graceland Women’s Soccer Wins Iowa “Futsal” State Championship
The Graceland University women’s soccer team won the Iowa "Futsal" State Championship on Sunday night, winning the championship game 4-2 on penalty kicks against The Celtics after the game had finished 3-3 in regulation.Samantha Clark, in goal, saved two penalty kicks and Graceland was 100 percent with their kicks. The penalties were converted by Lara Guscott, Rie Sawai, Whitney Danner and Sabine Schwittay.
The ladies had traveled to Des Moines on the Saturday and Sunday to compete in this championship and it was a very happy bus which managed to find its way home through the snow on Sunday night.
The team Graceland beat in the final had past and present NCAA Division I players on the roster including the Iowa State University goalkeeper. She was very complimentary of our penalty kick takers and our team as a whole. A soccer alumni of Graceland was also on the opponents team, Melody Carroll (1999). Melody was full of praise towards our team and also stated how jealous she was saying, "I wish I could be part of this program right now!"
Head Coach Kevin Sherry was very proud of his ladies, too. "They now know what it takes to win,” said Coach Sherry. “They are confident in themselves and with each other, which is evident in the way they play on the field and support each other off it. I feel very honored that I am in a position to help these wonderful ladies. We may need a new trophy cabinet to hold all of these new awards.”
01-29-04 Women’s Soccer Recognized as 17th in the NAIA
Head Coach Kevin Sherry and player’s representative, Jocelyn Jentsch receive a plaque from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and Adidas in recognition of the wonderful season the women's soccer program had in 2003 finishing ranked 17 in the nation. The team had a 15 win, 1 loss regular season schedule and reached the Region V semi finals in post season, scoring 85 goals along the way and only conceding 12. The inscription reads as follows:"Graceland University, #17, has been recognized as one of the top twenty-five college soccer teams in America."
"This is an extremely proud day for all of us concerned with the women's soccer program,” says Coach Sherry. “This national recognition is a just reward for all of the hard work and self sacrifices made by so many. We have turned this program around in such a short space of time and we hope to take it to the next level if we are given the opportunity by the school to do so."
GU Soccer Coaches Offer Level D Coaching Certification
Graceland soccer coaches Ivan Joseph and Kevin Sherry are currently holding the US soccer federation level D coaching certification course on the Lamoni campus. Eighteen Graceland University students are taking the course which lasts from Jan 5th to 23rd.11-18-03 Sawai All-Region
The NAIA has named Graceland sophomore Rie Sawai to theRegion V first team women’s soccer squad for the 2003 season.Sawai, a midfielder from Nara, Japan, is also on the Heart of America Athletic Conference first team. She played in 17 regular season games this year, scoring three goals and kicking nine assists for a total of 15 points per game.
The Yellowjackets were 16-1-4 this season, ending the season to McKendree College in the second round of Regional playoffs.
Graceland Univeristy @ McKendree College
Region SemifinalsGraceland 1, McKendree 4
November 12, 2003
Graceland University vs Baker University
Region PlayoffsGraceland 2, Baker 1
November 10, 2003
11-06-03 Holm COSIDA Academic All-District
Graceland junior midfielder Jennifer Holm has been selected to the Second Team Academic All-District VII College Division Women’s Soccer Team, selected by CoSIDA.Holm, from Grain Valley, Mo., is majoring in elementary education and upholds a 4.0 GPA. She has played in 11 games for the Jackets, tallying six assists for the season. Holm helped the Lady Yellowjackets to be ranked 17th in the NAIA and tied for second in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Graceland will host a regional playoff on Monday, November 10 in Lamoni.
According to CoSIDA (Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America) nomination for the CoSIDA All-District team is based on the following criteria: The nominee must be a starter of important reserve with legitimate athletic credentials and at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average. She must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at your institution and must have completed at least one full academic year at your institution. Nominated athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team’s games.
For more information on CoSIDA go to www.cosida.com
Graceland University vs Lindenwood Univeristy
Graceland 1, Lindenwood 1October 31, 2003
Graceland University vs MidAmerica Nazarene University
Graceland 4, Mid America Nazarene 0October 28, 2003
10-27-03 Boparai Player of the Week
Nav Boparai, five-foot-four-inch sophomore defender from Graceland University, has been named both Region V and Heart of America Athletic Conference Player of the Week for the week ending October 26. Boparai tallied two goals and two assists in a 2-0 week for the Yellowjackets. The London, England native had a goal and assists in a 4-0 win over Baker and a goal and an assist in a 7-0 win over Central Methodist. The sophomore defender also played a major role in the two shutouts recorded by Graceland this week.The Jackets are currently third in the Region and third in the HAAC.
Both soccer teams host MidAmerica Nazarene University Tuesday, October 28, with the women’s game at 5:00 p.m. and the men’s game at 7:00 p.m. Senior recognition will be held before each game.
Graceland University @ Baker University
Graceland 4, Baker 0October 25, 2003
Graceland Univeristy @ Central Methodist College
Graceland 7, Central Methodist 0October 22, 2003
Graceland University @ Dana College
Graceland wins by forfeitOctober 19, 2003
Graceland University @ College of St. Mary
Graceland 3, College of St. Mary 0October 18, 2003
Graceland University @ Missouri Valley College
Graceland 4, Missouri Valley 1,October 16, 2003
Graceland University vs William Jewell College
Graceland 1, William Jewell 6October 11, 2003
Graceland University JV vs Alumni
Graceland JV 4, Alumni 2October 11,2003
Graceland University @ Benedictine College
Graceland 0, Benedictine 0October 7, 2003
Graceland Univeristy vs Culver-Stockton College
Graceland 6, Culver-Stockton 0October 4, 2003
Graceland Univeristy vs Avila University
Graceland 6, Avila 0October 2, 2003
09-29-03 Guscott Soccer Player of the Week
Lara Guscott, freshman forward from Grand Prairie, Alberta, has been named Heart of America Athletic Conference Player of the Week for the week of September 22 to September 28. Guscott scored four goals in the first nine minutes in a 12-0 win over Harris Stowe State College. She finished the game with five goals and one assist in only 28 minutes played. Graceland is now 8-0-1 on the season.Guscott and the Yellowjackets next host Avila University Thursday, October 2 at 5:00 p.m.
Graceland VS Harris-Stowe
Graceland 12,Harris-Stowe State 0September 27, 2003
From the Coach
Click here for Coach Sherry's Comments about all of the soccer gamesGraceland AT Tabor
Graceland 6,Tabor College 0September 20, 2003
Graceland AT Newman
Graceland 1,Newman University 0September 19, 2003
Graceland AT Grand View
Graceland 1,Grand View 1September 17, 2003
09-16-03 Women’s Soccer Wins Again, Move Up in Rankings
The Graceland women’s soccer team continued their good run of results, recently going 5-0 with a 2-0 win away at Northwest Missouri University, and have been rewarded with an increase in their national ranking from # 20 to # 16. The Yellowjackets are also at the top of the Heart of America Conference poll.“It is good to prove to everyone that our national ranking in week # 1 was no fluke and it is a just reward for all the hard work the players have put into their season,” says Coach Kevin Sherry. “This team makes me feel so proud to be their coach.”
The ladies are also ranked in numerous conference statistical categories both as a team and individually. As a team, the ladies are first in team goals per game, averaging 5.8 on 90 shots and 29 goals in 5 games. The ladies are second in team goals allowed per game with the opposing team scoring just 3 goals on 50 shots in 5 games against Graceland.
The Yellowjackets are individually led by a group of young players, including five freshmen and one sophomore. Jocelyn Jentsch (Harlingen, TX) leads the conference in assists per game with 6 in 5 games, and is tied for sixth in total points per game with 14.
Goalkeepers Luisa DiBiagio (Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada) and sophomore Samantha Clark (Peculiar, MO) are ranked first and fourth, respectively, in the individual goals allowed per game category. Zulema Martinez (Brownsville, TX) is currently third in individual goals per game with 8, third in points per game with 20 and in assists per game with 4.
Sabine Schwittay (Negast, Germany) is seventh in goals per game with 6, and tied for sixth with teammate Jentsch in points per game with 14. Lara Guscott (Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada) is eighth in goals per game with 5 goals in 5 games.
The women travel to Des Moines, Iowa, to play Grand View College on September 17. The next home game for the Yellowjackets is September 27 against Harris-Stowe at 1:00 p.m.
Graceland AT Northwest Missouri State University
Graceland 2, Northwest Missouri 0September 14, 2003
Graceland AT Central College
Graceland 8, Central College 0September 10, 2003
Story
09-10-03 Martinez HAAC Player of the Week
Zulema Martinez, a freshman forward from Brownsville, Texas, earned Heart of America women’s soccer Player of the Week. Martinez tallied four goals and recorded three assists while leading the Yellowjackets to wins over #12 Park University (8-2) and #23 William Woods (5-0). Graceland is 2-0 on the season.The Yellowjackets travel to Pella, Iowa, to play Central College this afternoon, September 10. The next home game is September 27 against Harris-Stowe at 1:00 p.m.
Graceland AT Grinnell College
Graceland 6, Grinnell College 1September 8, 2003
GU vs William Woods University
Graceland VS William Woods UniversitySeptember 5, 2003
Story and Photos
GU vs Park University
Graceland VS Park UniversitySeptember 1, 2003
Story and Photos
