Press Releases

Five Graceland juniors have been recognized as 2005 Daktronics-NAIA Women's Soccer All-America Scholar-Athletes.

Defender Calea Bourne, from Tilbury, Ont., is studying physical education and health at Graceland. She has been recognized for the president’s list three times and the dean’s list twice in her three years as a Yellowjacket.

Fellow Canadian Lara Guscott, from Grande Prairie, Alb., is enrolled in sociology and English cinema courses. She is a member of the Alpha Chi Honor Society and is a four-time president’s list honoree.

Sabine Schwittay is a forward from Negast Germany. She is a two-time dean’s list recipient and was once on the president’s list while majoring in pre-professional biology.

Ogden, Utah, native Angela Sanchez is enrolled in the athletic training program and is a member of the Alpha Chi Honor Society. She has been on the honors list five times and once on the dean’s list.

Forward Whitney Danner, from Raytown, Mo., is studying publications design at Graceland. She has been on the president’s list three times and the honors list twice.

The NAIA-WSCA has named Graceland’s Misako Inaba and Nav Boparai 2005 NAIA Women's Soccer All-Americans.

Junior Misako Inaba scored seven goals and made seven assists this season for the Yellowjackets. Inaba, from Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan, was a midfielder for the 15-3-2 Graceland team. Inaba was a third team All-American last season.

Nav Boparai, a senior from London, England, had four assists and played defender for a team that allowed just 13 goals in 20 games. Boparai was a first team All-American in 2004 and was the conference co-player of the year that same season.

Graceland’s women’s soccer team played in the Elite Eight game of the 2005 Women’s Soccer National Championships and won the Heart of America Athletic Conference this season. The ladies were ranked as high as second in the NAIA, but ended the year as the seventh best team in the country.

Director of Athletics Dan Hanton has promoted Fred Wagenaar to the role of head women’s soccer coach at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

“It is with great expectation that the department announces Fred Wagenaar as the women’s head soccer coach,” said Hanton. “I had the opportunity to work directly with Fred as he fulfilled the duties as the associate head women’s coach last season, and he had fantastic results. His rapport with the coaching staff and players is outstanding. He has a definite desire to keep the program at the championship level of competition.”

As the associate head coach of the women’s soccer team in 2005, Wagenaar led the team to a first round win at the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship in Olathe, Kan. During that season Wagenaar coached two All-Americans and seven all-conference players. The Jackets shared a piece of the Heart of America Athletic Conference championship and played in the Elite Eight of the NAIA tournament under the tutelage of Wagenaar.

In 2004 Wagenaar spent the season as the Graceland women’s and men’s goalkeeper coach. During that year his women goalkeepers did not allow a goal to be scored against the Yellowjackets in 10 games, which is more than 1000 minutes. In the same season, the ladies allowed just five goals to be scored in 18 regular season games, which ranks second in the NAIA national season record book. One of Wagenaar’s goalies is nationally ranked second in fewest goals allowed in a season, with four goals in 1390 minutes, and is fourth in goals against average at .27 per game.

“Fred is a dedicated professional whose soccer knowledge is second to none,” says Ivan Joseph, director of soccer operations and men’s soccer head coach at Graceland. “There is no doubt in my mind that he is the right individual for the job and will continue the benchmark of excellence established by our women's program. He has been a tremendous asset to the men's program and his collaboration will be missed.”

In 2005 Wagenaar became an accredited American Council on Exercise personal trainer, and he was the men’s soccer team strength trainer during their run to the national playoffs for the first time in Graceland’s men’s soccer history. He also completed the NSCAA’s national goalkeeping diploma and possesses a D coaching license.

Wagenaar has been coaching soccer since 1985 and has coached all levels of players, from ages 6-23. In his 20-year career, Fred has won more than 70 first or second place trophies for tournaments and winning seasons. His four children have won more than 30 trophies for most valuable player accomplishments, to whom Fred gives credit for playing a large role in his coaching success. Wagenaar also coached the St. Catherine’s Club Roma U-19 team, comprised of three of his four children, to the finals of the Ontario Cup, where they lost in a penalty shoot out.

Fred studied level one and level two national coaching theory at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario. He took level one and level two practical levels at Richmond Hill Soccer Club and at Brock University under Bill Millar, former national coach of the Canadian women’s soccer team.

In 2000, Wagenaar took some time off from team coaching in order to spend more hours working on goal keeping with his own son, who had been named to the U-15 Canadian National Team. Fred carried on this role until 2004 when he took the job of goal keeping coach at Graceland University.

Fred’s personal playing experience stems from his years as a defender for the Saltfleet Go-Ahead Soccer Club. He was selected as the team MVP, and was chosen to represent the Hamilton area in the annual CANUSA games. At Hamilton District Christian High School, Wagenaar was a varsity starter four years in soccer, basketball, track and field and cross country. He was also the team captain for his basketball and soccer teams. Fred also played rugby for the Saltfleet District Public High School, where he was the leading scorer and kicker, and continued to play for the Stoney Creek Rugby Club and the Hamilton Hornets after high school.

Fred and his wife Kathy are the proud parents of four boys: Mark, Jesse, Ben and Josh. In his spare time, he loves to read, lift weights, contemplate the eternal and watch soccer.

This winter the Graceland women’s and men’s soccer programs illuminated Lamoni’s Central Park for the holiday season. With more than 350 strands of Christmas lights in hand, the 46 Yellowjacket athletes lit up 14 of the park’s trees and the picnic shelter in the park located near City Hall.

“I’ve always envisioned a need for a display like this in Lamoni, and I thought Central Park would be a perfect place to light up,” said Ivan Joseph, head men’s soccer coach at Graceland.

Joseph coupled Graceland’s Bridge Endowment with some monies from the Rasmussen soccer scholarship to purchase $3000 worth of white Christmas lights and extension cords for the decoration of the park. The city of Lamoni helped by paying for the utilities and the Graceland physical plant donated electrical work to the project.

“This was a great community endeavor that was well worth our time and effort,” concluded Joseph. “We hope this Festival of Lights will become a Lamoni tradition in years to come.”

The Graceland University women’s soccer team received the 2005 College Team Academic Award, sponsored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Graceland, who holds a 3.47 team grade point average, was one of 26 women’s soccer teams across the nation to receive the award. The Jackets earned the eighth-best GPA in the nation, and were one of just four teams to both play at the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Tournament and earn at least a 3.0 GPA.

The award, first started in 1996, is open to college programs, including NAIA, NCAA I, II, III and junior college teams. Teams must be nominated by the head coach and must have a team GPA of 3.0 or higher to qualify. In addition, the head coach/institution must be a current member of the NSCAA in order to be recognized.

Women's Teams
University of Saint Francis (Ind.) 3.60
*Indiana Wesleyan University 3.51
*Savannah College of Art & Design (Ga.) 3.51
Friends University (Kan.) 3.51
Dana College (Neb.) 3.50
Northwestern Oklahoma State University 3.50
*Graceland University (Iowa) 3.47
Goshen College (Ind.) 3.47
Indiana Institute of Technology 3.44
Tiffin University (Ohio) 3.42
Carroll College (Mont.) 3.41
Westminster College (Utah) 3.39
Cardinal Stritch University (Wis.) 3.37
Ashland University (Iowa) 3.34
Ursuline College (Ohio) 3.32
*Houghton College (N.Y.) 3.30
Quincy University (Ill.) 3.27
Embry-Riddle University (Ariz.) 3.22
Berry College (Ga.) 3.19
Embry-Riddle University (Fla.) 3.18
Ohio Dominican University 3.14
Tennessee Wesleyan College 3.14
Auburn University Montgomery (Ala.) 3.13
Rocky Mountain College (Mont.) 3.12
Urbana University (Ohio) 3.09
York College (Neb.) 3.06
* Played in the 2005 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Tournament

The Graceland University women’s soccer team finished a great 2005 campaign with a final record of 15-3-2 (7-0-2 HAAC), a trip to nationals and an Elite Eight appearance at the big dance in Olathe, Kan. For their efforts, seven members of the 2005 squad were honored with Heart of America Athletic Conference post-season all-conference nods.

First team members include senior defender Nav Boparai (London, England), junior midfielder Misako Inaba (Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan) and freshman forward Bethany Garcher (Concord, Calif.).

Second team members include senior goal keeper Maria Prieto (Caracas, Venezuela), senior defender Amanda Sundell (Cheyenne, Wyo.) and junior forward Jocelyn Jentch (Harlingen, Texas).

Senior defender Reily Madigan (Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada) was named honorable mention all-conference.

OLATHE, Kan. - Reily Madigan scored her second goal of the season just before halftime to advance second-seeded Graceland University (Iowa) to the quarterfinals with a 1-0 win against Bethel College (Tenn.). All games of the 2005 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship are being played at the College Boulevard Activity Center in Olathe, Kan.

Senior defender Madigan's goal came at the 44:09 mark after a Misako Inaba corner kick. It was Inaba's eighth assist of the season. Bethel out-shot Graceland 14-6 in the game, but Graceland senior goalkeeper Maria Prieto made seven saves in the game and has only allowed ten goals this season.

Bethel was making its third consecutive national championship appearance. The fifteenth-seeded team defeated John Brown University (Ark.) 3-1 in yesterday's first round and qualified for the national championship by defeating Covenant College (Ga.) 2-0 in the Region XII championship match. Bethel concludes its season with a 14-6-2 record.

Graceland advances to Saturday's quarterfinal round at noon (CST). They will face the winner of tomorrow's match-up between seventh-seeded Lee University (Tenn.) (17-4-0) and tenth-seeded College of St. Mary (Neb.) (18-2-1).

Article courtesy of the NAIA

Graceland has earned the second seed in the 2005 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship that will be held November 16-22 in Olathe, Kan.

The Yellowjackets receive a first-round bye, so Graceland's first national tournament game will be Thursday, November 17 at 2:15 p.m. against either Bethel (Tenn.) or John Brown (Ark.). Those teams each have 13-5-2 records and will play Wednesday, November 16 at 2:15 p.m. in the College Boulevard Activity Center.

As long as the Yellowjackets continue to win in the single-elimination tournament, Graceland has the opportunity to play at the following times: Second Round - Thursday 2:15 p.m. Quarterfinals - Saturday noon Semifinals - Monday 8 p.m. Championship - Tuesday 7 p.m.

Tournament Information
For more information and a complete tournament bracket for the 2005 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship, go to www.olathe.org/sports/naia/soccer/ .

Listen to the Game
Listen to the games online on the Graceland radio station at radio.graceland.edu.

Stats
Live stats will be available on the NAIA's main women's soccer bracket page at www.naia.org .

The Graceland women’s soccer team lost 0-2 to Lindenwood University in a Region V playoff game Monday night in Lamoni, Iowa.

Graceland is now 14-2-2 overall and awaits the outcome of region tournaments across the nation to see if the Jackets will earn a bid to the NAIA National Tournament.

The Graceland women’s soccer team, with a 7-0-2 conference record, has won the Heart of America Athletic Conference for the second year in a row. The Jackets are co-champions with William Jewell College from Liberty, Mo.

Graceland tied Benedictine 1-1 last Friday afternoon in Atchison, Kan., but had to wait for the results of the Lindenwood at William Jewell game to see who would be crowned the 2005 HAAC Champion. Lindenwood lost the game 1-2 allowing Graceland to be crowned the co-champion with William Jewell.

The Jackets are now 14-1-2 overall and sixth in the nation. Graceland will now await the results of the region playoff game between Missouri Valley and Lindenwood that is to be played this Saturday. Graceland will play the winner of that game at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 7 in Lamoni.

Because the game is a national playoff event, ticket prices for the game will be as follows:
First 150 Graceland students with ID are free
All other students with ID $2
Seniors $3
Adults $5

Watch the Graceland website at www.gojackets.graceland.edu for more information about the upcoming women’s soccer playoff games.

The Graceland women’s soccer team tied 1-1 with Benedictine College Friday afternoon in Atchison, Kan. The women now await the outcome of tomorrow’s Lindenwood at William Jewell game in order to see who is the champion of the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

Both Graceland and Lindenwood were atop the Heart of America Athletic Conference standings prior to their last game of the season. The Jackets end their 2005 conference campaign 7-0-2 and Lindenwood holds a 7-0-1 HAAC record before their final game on Saturday, October 29 at 5:30 p.m. in Liberty, Mo.

Graceland ends the season 14-1-2 overall and ranked fourth in the NAIA.

This weekend the Graceland women’s and men’s soccer teams will both play for rights to their conference championship titles.

The Graceland women’s team plays Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. today (Friday) at 4 p.m. for the conference title. The Jackets are tied with Lindenwood for the conference lead prior to this weekend’s games. Both teams are 7-0-1, with the tie coming from the October 18 game when the Jackets hosted the Lions at The Razz. The Jackets could hold the 2005 championship title, pending the outcome of both their own game and Lindenwood’s game against William Jewell College at 5:30 p.m. in Liberty, Mo. on Saturday.

The Graceland University women’s soccer team played their final regular season home game at the Razz in Lamoni on Friday, October 21. The match up featured the #2 Yellowjackets hosting the #10 College of St. Mary, (Omaha, Neb.). The College of St. Mary defeated the Jackets 2-1 in the contest.

The undefeated Yellowjackets came out sluggish and the Flames capitalized in the first half by scoring the only goal of the first frame. The Jackets went into the locker room behind 1-0 which was unfamiliar territory. Graceland came out of the locker room at the break with some spring in their step and it paid off as Sabine Schwittay banged a goal home after beating a defender on a great one-on-one move.

The Yellowjackets scored their goal and continued to add pressure on the Flames, but during a scramble in front of the Graceland net a ball slipped past the Jacket goalie, Maria Prieto, and the College of St. Mary went ahead 2-1.

In the game’s final 15 minutes Graceland had a couple great scoring opportunities but the Flames kept extra players back and committed to a defense-only effort that proved to be successful.

The Friday night loss marked the first time the Graceland women’s soccer team has been beaten in 37 contests. This record ranks tied for third on the all-time unbeaten streak list of the NAIA women’s soccer records list. The streak began with the first game of the 2004 season, when the team won 18 games and tied five. In 2005 the streak continued with 13 wins and one tie.

The Yellowjackets have two games remaining in the regular season. The team will travel to Culver-Stockton College on Wednesday, Oct. 26, then wrap up the 2005 campaign at Benedictine College Friday, Oct 28. The two remaining games will be tough final contests for the Jackets as they look to return to the region championships and the national tournament.

GRACELAND UNIVERSITY 1 ST. MARY UNIVERSTIY 2
by Julia Prohaska

A cool fall break Friday with the Yellowjackets geared up to play some competitive soccer against St. Mary's ranked number 10 in the nation.

Graceland starts with the kickoff though St. Mary's was the first team to get a shot off on net from the 18-yard box in the 2nd minute of play. This did not faze the Jackets as Calea Bourne attempts a shot from the far side of the pitch in St. Mary's final third to test the keeper. In the 6th minute Misako Inaba crossed the ball in from the corner kick to Reily Madigan who had a double shot off that hit the side netting. Wingers Whitney Danner and Lara Guscott dribbled by defenders to get some shots off. Graceland displayed some lovely give and go plays with Bethany Garchar and Inaba to work the ball up the pitch.

Substitution in the 15th minute with Sabine Schwittay coming into the game for Jocelyn Jentsch. Schwittay was in the hospital last night after suffering from blood poisoning in her foot. Schwittay took her medication and was attacking St. Mary's goal by dribbling past defenders to place the ball across the goal for oncoming Danner who slid in to hit the ball wide of the goal.

Graceland had a couple of corner kick opportunities, one deflecting off the head of Meghan Dunagan and another one that was called by the referee after a foul in the box. In the 23rd minute power thrower Colleen DeMartini came into the game replacing Danner. Amanda Sundell who continued to impress fans winning balls by out muscling and out running opponents creating a frustrated St. Mary's forward who performed an illegal tackle from behind. In the 27th minute of play Inaba played an outstanding through ball into Schwittay who was quick to stop, turn, and shoot the ball on target to beat the keeper and make it a 1-0 game.

Substitution a couple minutes later with Nicole Cummins entering the game for Schwittay. Inaba receives the ball from DeMartini and crosses it to goal towards the far poll and Cummins gets a head on it hitting the ball just over the bar. Another substitution with seven minutes to go with DeMartini coming out of the game for Tina Cook. Cook showed her athleticism by running up and down the flank with speed. With four minutes remaining in the half Guscott came off and Angela Sanchez entered the game. Graceland was under a lot of pressure in the last couple of minutes but Prieto used her foot skill and ball handling ability saving any opportunities St. Mary's got to end the first half.

Graceland came out flat in the second half and Prieto was tested once again. Prieto was quick to punch the ball away from the goal. Graceland was penalized by the referee numerous times for aggressive play at the beginning of the second half. Jentsch used her body as a shield to protect the ball from the St. Mary's defender unfortunately receiving a questionable call against her. After the St. Mary's free kick Prieto came up big again stealing the ball in the crowded goal area to make the save. Nav Boparai took a shot to the face to make the clearance. However the solid play from Graceland defenders was not enough to keep St. Mary's off the scoreboard.

In the 54th minute St. Mary's sent in a long range cross just in front of the six-yard box that was headed into the goal beating Graceland's defense to make it a 1-1 game.

Schwittay would return into the game for Danner. Graceland were on the attack again with Sundell sending a great long ball to Guscott who was wide open for the header ball that deflected off the far post. St. Mary's was quick to counterattack receiving a corner kick that was deflected numerous times in Graceland's goal area and finally cleared out for a St. Mary's corner kick. St. Mary's took a second corner kick this time finding an open player inside the area for a clear shot on goal putting them in the lead 2-1.

Graceland continued to battle for every ball working hard to put pressure on St. Mary's defensive line. Bourne with a lovely ball to Garchar who's shot was just off the mark. Cummins and Sanchez would return into the game for Schwittay and Guscott. Sanchez found Inaba who played it off a St. Mary's player to get a corner kick. Inaba took the corner crossing it into Cummins who's shot was directed at the keeper. Substitution in the 65th minute with Guscott coming into the game for Jentsch. Prieto again with the save from a shot at the top of the 18 from a St. Mary's attacker. Ryoko Fukasawa entering the game for Dunagan rotating Cummins into the back line.

Graceland was still applying pressure in search for an equalizer. Sundell's free kick bounced off the St. Mary's wall to Inaba who rocketed a shot just over the crossbar. At the other end Cummins making many direct clearances to relieve pressure from Graceland's backline. After making some great runs Fukasawa exited the game for Schwittay.

In Graceland's final third again Prieto shows her strength going up hard against an incoming St. Mary's defender to grab hold of the ball and clear it out of harms way. With six minutes remaining Sanchez would come off for Jentsch. Boparai coming out of the woodwork with some great dribbling up the far flank to cross the ball into the goal area to Bourne hitting another crossbar with a header attempt.

In the 85th minute Cummins and Schwittay would exit the game for Danner and Dunagan. Dunagan joined the forward line throwing her body in front of the ball for a desperation goal. Dunagan was joined by her teammate Garchar who continued to pressure the St. Mary's defense even sliding into the goalkeeper in search for a goal.

The final substitution would come in the final minute of play with DeMartini coming into the game, replacing Bourne. DeMartini again demonstrating her power throw in, getting the ball to Dunagan who got a shot on target unfortunately not strong enough to beat the keeper. Graceland was unable to score in the second half making it the first loss of the season. The Jackets worked hard until the final whistle of play and will continue to work hard in practice in preparation for the next game of the season against Culver-Stockton College.

Graceland University 1 Lindenwood University 1
by Amanda Precht

On a beautiful fall evening, October 18, 2005, Graceland University Yellowjackets took on Lindenwood University.

Hiroko Yamauchi is still out due to a knee injury. To begin the game the Graceland Yellowjackets started off with the kickoff. The first shot of the game for Graceland came from number 2, freshman Bethany Garchar, in the 4th minute, the shot was blocked by Lindenwood's goalkeeper.

Throughout the game Garchar had many scoring opportunities but couldn't seem to put any of them away. Instead she contributed to setting up her teammates. In the 10th minute Lindenwood snuck past Graceland's defense, with a pass to the unprotected back side, where their player stood and placed the ball into the back right corner of the net. Even Maria Pieto's outstanding effort couldn't stop this one. This put Lindenwood up by one, as the Yellowjackets restarted.

Lindenwood had many corner kick opportunities but due to the strong Graceland defense very few chances on goal occurred. Nav Boparai and Meghan Dunagan with their outstanding headers and defensive clearances kept the offense from taking advantage of scoring opportunities. Calea Bourne and Amanda Sundell also kept the pressure up with their runs up and down the flanks, and patience on the ball. Sundell had many crosses into the box on the offensive half that allowed the forwards to test the Lindenwood keeper. She also had a few shots on net from far out that caused the goalie some panic when she had to dive to retrieve them. Bourne took restart after restart trying to get the ball positioned correctly for the forwards to finish.

In the 19th minute of the game Nicole Cummins entered the game for the Yellowjackets. She substituted for Sabine Schwittay at the forward position. On a restart, Ryoko Fukasawa, received a cross from Bourne and crossed a ball into the Lindenwood box. The ball floated across the six yard box where Cummins ran through for a header that was just shy of the goal. Later in the game Cummins replaced Dunagan in the back as a central defender.

Whitney Danner entered the game for Graceland in the 66th minute. In the 71st minute Danner had a break away going one on one with Lindenwood's keeper when out of no where Lindenwood's defense came back and tackled the ball, leaving it for their keeper to scoop up. In the 72nd minute Colleen DeMartini entered to game for the Yellowjackets.

With DeMartini's powerful throw in, she found Guscott who took the ball to goal and placed it with force into the back corner of the net, tying up the score 1-1.

Jocelyn Jentsch's outstanding effort and hustle put her into the right spot at the right time on several occurrences but she couldn't seem to finish her opportunities. However, her shots on the net gave Lindenwood's keeper reason for diving saves.

In the last 10 minutes the Graceland Yellowjackets pressured the Lindenwood defense with shot after shot. In the 86th minute, Reily Madigan crossed in a ball right to number 5 Misako Inaba. Shot on goal, just above the cross bar. Inaba again in the 90th minute surrounded by Lindenwood defense manages to get a shot off. Shot deflects off the inside of the right post and cleared out of the box. Ending the second half with a score of Graceland 1 and Lindenwood 1.

In attempt to break the tie the match was carried on to over time. To begin the first period of extra minutes, the Graceland Yellowjackets started off with the ball. In the 95th minute, Inaba with the ball crossed it to Schwittay, Schwittay with the shot that came back to her after bouncing off the Lindenwood keeper, Schwittay with the follow up shot going out of bounds hitting the left side of the goal.

On the other end of the field, Lindenwood's forward dribbles at the Graceland defense, in the 98th minute, Boparai, with strong pressure, allowed Prieto to come in with the save, and keep the score 1-1 at the end of the first over time period.

To start the second half of over time, the Graceland offense came off to strong start against the Lindenwood defense. Inaba with a powerful shot taken from the middle of Lindenwood territory, but just missed the net as it when over.

In the 104th minute of the game, Jentsch flicks it over to Inaba, to Dunagan with the pass to Guscott who had a shot just wide of the net. To end the second period of over time there was a foul against Lindenwood, the restart was a shot on goal but once again was just wide of the net.

This concluded the battle leaving game at a tie. Graceland University 1 and Lindenwood University 1, leaving the Yellowjackets to concentrate on their up coming game against St. Mary's College, Friday, October 20, 2005 at 2 p.m.

GRACELAND UNIVERSITY 5, AVILA UNIVERSITY 0
by Julia Prohaska

It was a warm, beautiful homecoming weekend with Graceland Yellowjackets gearing up to defend a 12-0 record against Avila on Saturday, October 15. Unfortunately more injuries for the squad with Hiroko Yamauchi unable to play because of a knee injury and Amanda Precht forced to red shirt after the doctors diagnosis of compartment syndrome in her calves.

The Jackets had first ball with neither team in clear possession of the game. Graceland was attacking from the flanks with Riley Madigan passing to Sabine Schwittay placing the first shot on target. Lara Guscott with her fancy footwork attempted a dummy but had an Avila defender run onto the ball. In the 18th minute Graceland substitution Whitney Danner and Angela Sanchez in for Schwittay and Guscott. 20th minute Misako Inaba and Sanchez take the corner kick to reach Bethany Garchar’s head soaring wide of the post. Meghan Dunagan was on her game winning balls in the back to deliver long balls to her teammates. A little confusion at the back when goalkeeper Maria Prieto was forced to make a contested save against an attacking Avila player after calling off defender Nav Boparai who let the ball go over her head to the keeper.

In the 27th minute Garchar was knocked off the ball giving Graceland the free kick that was taken by Inaba who shot the ball into the wall rebounding to Jocelyn Jentsch whose shot was rebounded off the keeper to Danner whose shot rocketed over the top bar. A substitution two minutes later as Ryoko Fukasawa entered the game for Sanchez. Graceland worked hard to get the ball up to the front line as Calea Bourne and Amanda Sundell were quick to take the ball up the flanks and cross in some great balls.

On the other end Boparai demonstrated her skill by beating an opponent and passing to Jentsch who flicks it to Fukasawa who deflects it off her opponent resulting in a corner kick. Corner kick taken by Inaba to Sundell who shoots the ball over the goal. With all the chances, finally with 4 minutes to go in the first half Inaba stepped up huge to win the ball from an Avila defender after an Avila goal kick to dribble just inside the 18 yard box and rip the shot into the left side of the goal to make it a 1-0 score to end the first half. Inaba continued to cause problems for Avila by sending accurate through balls to her teammates.

Prieto starts the second half with a save that she cleared to the halfway line. Graceland was penalized throughout the second half receiving an abundance of offside calls. In the 57th minute Inaba played a through ball to Guscott whose shot was deflected off the goalie’s leg to roll out of bounds for a corner kick. Corner kick was taken by Guscott to Inaba who crossed the ball into Dunagan’s head flying just wide of the post.

After all the offense from Graceland, Inaba slips a ball through to Schwittay who laces the ball into the right hand corner of the goal to put them up 2-0. A substitution was made after the goal with Jentsch out and Danner in. In the 64th minute Inaba took a free kick that bounced off the defensive wall with Boparai running in to take a long range shot that went wide of the target. Jentsch replaces Danner in the 66th minute. Jentsch is quick to get a shot off at the keeper.

Graceland continued to attack the goal having many chances bounce out and away from the goal. In the 73rd minute Garchar received a pass from Guscott to make a 30 yard run to place the ball into the back of Avila’s goal. Two minutes later the Jackets were at it again this time Guscott destroys four players with her skill shooting the ball in the back of the net. A substitution with Jentsch, Boparai, Bourne, Guscott coming out of the game for Nicole Cummins, Tina Cook, Fukasawa and Sanchez coming in. Schwittay went down hard in the box after an Avila tackle and were rewarded a penalty shot. Garchar would take the shot putting it just wide of the target.

Colleen DiMartini would make her first appearance with 10 minutes remaining for the varsity squad to help the Yellowjackets in the middle of the park. Cook was quick to run up the flank making passes with Sundell to Garchar getting a shot off. In the 83rd minute Inaba would get a rest and Danner would re-enter the game. Danner wasted no time to get on the score board when she received a pass from Madigan and took on the keeper to place the ball in the net to end the scoring for Graceland making it 5-0.

Prieto made sure to keep her shutout as Avila had one last attack with a free kick. Prieto with no hesitation to save the free kick and clear it up field ending the game for the Yellowjackets.

GRACELAND UNIVERSITY 2 CENTRAL METHODIST UNIVERSITY 1
by Julia Prohaska

Graceland Yellowjackets are pleased to add Colleen DeMartini to the varsity roster as they take on opponents Central Methodist University on a sunny Wednesday afternoon.

Graceland started the game off with possession of the ball and continued to keep possession, trying to break down the jam-packed Methodist defensive line. The Jackets were able to switch the ball from side to side and then look for the posting players up front who were outnumbered. HirokoYamautchi got the first shot on target after receiving a drop pass in the 15th minute of play testing the diving Methodist keeper.

Nav Boparai was outstanding for the Graceland defense challenging every ball that entered the area also shouting out commands to lead the squad, along with Meghan Dunagan who has perfected defensive headers. In the 19th minute of play Graceland was awarded a corner kick that Misako Inaba passed to Yamautchi back to Misako then dropped to Amanda Sundell for a shot just wide of the far post.

In the 29th minute was a substitution for the Jackets with Whitney Danner entering the game replacing Yamautchi. Two minutes later Calea Bourne had a high foot come at her, resulting in a free kick that was taken by Jocelyn Jentsch who kicked a perfect ball into Bethany Garchar's head for a beautiful goal making it a 1-0 game.

Graceland continued to press with Danner running through the ball passing to Jentsch who turned with a shot just over the top. Boparai was stellar on the defensive end acting as a brick wall to stop Methodist's attack. Goalkeeper Maria Prieto was hardly tested to end the first half.

Graceland came out flat in the second half with Prieto being tested early for her first goal kick of the game. Graceland still managed to attack Methodist with Garchar's shot stopped by the sliding keeper. In the 49th minute Methodist capitalized on a long ball played in behind the Graceland defense with Prieto slipping without a second chance to stop the ball that was placed in the back of the net to tie the game.

Graceland was quick to apply pressure once again with Inaba striking the ball from the middle of the park just outside the 18 to have the ball punched away and smack off the crossbar. Methodist with the counterattack that once again required focus from defender Boparai who sprinted 30 yards back to make the slide tackle resulting in a corner kick that Prieto made no mistake to punch away.

In the 53rd minute Danner and Bourne entered the game for Sundell and Jentsch. Inaba once again was rejected by the keeper who punched the ball away from goal. At the other end Prieto making a sliding save to keep Graceland from falling behind.

Danner would hit the third post of the game with a header sent in by Inaba. In the 60th minute Jentsch entered the game for Sabine Schwittay. It was like a battlefield as every ball was contested and fought for. Danner was an example of this as she was hip checked off the ball to receive a free kick on the left side of the pitch that would be taken by Inaba who kicked the ball to Guscott who was robbed by the keeper after heading the ball into the corner of the goal.

In the 66th minute Graceland substitution Bourne and Danner came out and Yamautchi and Sundell came in. Once again two minutes after a substitution a goal was scored for Graceland as Sundell took the ball up the right flank to crossing the ball on the ground to the far post runner Guscott who finished the ball putting the Yellowjackets in the lead 2-1.

Garchar continued to use her speed and determination up front getting shots off. The Methodist keeper made her mark again diving to push away another shot from Garchar with Jentsch following up to shoot the ball off the side netting. Graceland continued to attack with seven minutes remaining with combination play from Guscott to Garchar to Inaba who was denied by the keeper. Prieto made a lovely save running into the crowd to catch the highball.

In the 86th minute the final substitutions would be made after Yamautchi went down with an injury to her knee replaced by Danner and Nicole Cummins would enter the game for Jentsch. Central Methodist would have their last chance of the game with a corner kick that was headed over the goal. Graceland was on attack again as Danner was about to shoot the ball but she was stopped by the buzzer.

Graceland will now prepare for their homecoming game against Avila on Saturday October 15 at 5:30 p.m.

Both Graceland University soccer teams returned home Saturday night to take on the Pioneers of MidAmerica Nazarene University in Lamoni.

The Graceland women played game one of the twin bill and beat the Pioneers by a score of 4-0. Thirty seconds into the game freshman Bethany Garcher scored on the Jackets first rush down the field. Junior Lara Guscott was the second Yellowjacket to score while junior Jocelyn Jentsch scored the Jackets final two goals. Jentsch also assisted on the Guscott goal.

The Jackets played their usual solid defense and senior goalkeeper Maria Prieto had an easy night as she was only tested once all game as the Pioneers had their only good scoring chance late in the game. The Yellowjackets upped their record to 11-0 overall and 4-0 in conference play.

The Graceland men fought hard all night but ended up short on the scoreboard in their 2-3 loss. The Jackets had more good scoring opportunities than the visiting Pioneers but at the end senior Jesus Rodriguez’s two goals were not enough to get the much needed win.

The Graceland men will need to win most if not all of their remaining conference games if they wish to compete in the 2005 playoffs. The loss sets the Jackets record at 5-4-1 overall and 2-2 in the conference.

The men will return to the pitch Sunday night at 6 p.m. as they will host Hastings College at the RAZZ in Lamoni. Both teams will head to Fayette, Mo. on Wed. October 12 as they take on HAAC opponent Central Methodist University before returning home on Sat. October 15 to take on Avila University as part of the homecoming extravaganza. The games on the 15th are set for 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. starts.

GRACELAND UNIVERSITY 4 MIDAMERICA NAZARENE 0
by Julia Prohaska

On Saturday, October 8, the Yellowjackets would play for their 11th consecutive win of the season. Defender Amanda Precht would not dress for the Jackets due to injury. Goalkeeper April Due was cleared to play for the Jackets after recovering from a shoulder injury.

Graceland was quick to press scoring a goal in the first 40 seconds of the game as the ball was passed from the left flank to Jocelyn Jentsch who found attacker Bethany Garchar wide open in front of the goal to lace the ball into the left hand corner beating the keeper.

This goal encouraged the Jackets scoring another goal in the 3rd minute of play when Amanda Sundell sent a long ball into forward Lara Guscott who continues to impress fans with her skill dribbling past three defenders to strike the ball in the left hand corner of the goal making it a 2-0 game.

Jackets continued to press creating numerous goal scoring opportunities however the ball seemed to find itself high, wide, or slow in relation to hitting the target. Jentsch did a great job checking to the ball creating many chances for her and her teammates to shoot on goal. Misako Inaba and Hiroko Yamautchi’s corner kick attempt in the 13th minute went flying across the goal ending up wide for a goal kick. Graceland defenders Calea Bourne and Sundell used their speed and crossing ability to add to the Jackets offense. In the 22nd minute #22 Jentsch scored a goal after a control and turn from Inaba’s pass.

Defender Meghan Dunagan used patience and skill to clear a sliding ball away from a Nazarene attacker. Substitution in the 29th minute as Sabine Schwittay replaced Jentsch. Schwittay was quickly involved in the attack unfortunately ending up in an offside position. Graceland continued to control the ball with a shot just over the target from Reily Madigan. In the 33rd minute Whitney Danner came into the game for Yamauchi. Danner went down after a hard tackle but was quick to get on her feet and continue to attack for Graceland.

In the 38th minute the MidAmerica Nazarene coach received a yellow card from the referee. Inaba took the free kick shooting the ball towards the upper 90 of the goal ending up in the keeper’s hands. Goalkeeper Maria Prieto charged off her line in the last 5 minutes to clear an incoming ball out of harms way. Graceland denied a goal in the last minute of play as Schwittay was called offside. The free kick allowed Nazarene to get the ball up field but Graceland’s outstanding back four made no mistake to clear the ball away from danger.

Second half action was off to an aggressive start with Yamauchi colliding with a Nazarene player. Jentsch continued to perform up front receiving balls from Inaba and Madigan for opportunities on goal. In the 53rd minute Ryoko Fukasawa replaced Guscott. Fukasawa used her speed and intensity to win balls on the flank. Graceland got the final goal of the game in the 54th minute from another combo play between Jentsch and Inaba. Inaba played a through ball to Jentsch who made no mistake hammering the ball into the left hand side of the goal putting the Jackets up 4-0. In the 59th minute another ball from Inaba was played through to Garchar and the shot deflected off the far post.

In the 60th minute Tina Cook and Angela Sanchez came into the game replacing Bourne and Yamauchi. In the 63rd minute Nav Boparai made an all out slide tackle with both her and the opposing player ending up off the pitch. A minute later Boparai exited the game and Nicole Cummins entered the game. Cummins was quick to fit into the back four with anticipation clearing ball after ball. At the other end Cook crossed the ball into the mix at the top of the 18 to keep the pressure in Nazarene’s end.

In the 73rd minute Garchar received a yellow card after a tackle with the Nazarene keeper. A minute later a substitution was made Garchar and Cook coming out and Danner and Schwittay coming in. Danner was quick to get a shot off from a pass by Inaba that was just wide of the mark.

Two more substitutions would take place before the end of the game Jentsch would come off for Guscott, and Sanchez off for Garchar. Keeper Prieto handled the ball with confidence to make sure it stayed a shutout game. Graceland continued to apply pressure against Nazarene until the last play with Schwittay getting a shot off that flew high and wide of the target. Graceland would add to a winning streak of 11-0 by defeating MidAmerica Nazarene by a score of 4-0.

Graceland soccer player Misako Inaba has earned Heart of America Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors for the week ending October 1.

Junior midfielder Misako Inaba finished the week with two goals, five assists and nine points. Against Missouri Valley, Inaba, from Osaka, Japan, had a goal and two assists in a 5-1 win. In a 6-1 win over William Jewell, Inaba scored a goal and added three assists. She averaged 1.00 goals, 2.50 assists and 4.50 points on the week.

Watch Graceland soccer in action this weekend as they host MidAmerica Nazarene University on Saturday, October 8. The women kick off at 5 p.m. followed by the men’s game at 7 p.m. at The Razz in Lamoni, Iowa.

The #2 Graceland University women’s soccer team returned home to Lamoni on Saturday to take on their HAAC rival #15 William Jewell College. The two teams had incredible battles in 2004 with Jackets taking the HAAC championship before losing the regional title to the Cardinals in a championship game that was decided on penalty kicks.

The 9-0 Yellowjackets would not allow this game to be decided on PK’s as they thrashed the Cardinals in a 6-1 rout.

Junior Lara Guscott had two goals in the game, the second on a great drive where she worked her way past three Cardinals one-by-one before banking the ball in off the out-stretched goaltender. Junior Sabine Schwittay also notched a pair of goals, one of which was similar to Guscott’s, as she burned multiple defenders before scoring on a tough angle.

The packed Graceland crowd had plenty to cheer about which included a great goal by junior Misako Inaba who had her back to the goal, quickly spun and kicked a high shot that fooled the Cardinal goaltender and amazed all in attendance.

Freshman scoring machine Bethany Garchar got into the act scoring the Jackets’ other goal as she continues to out-work every team she plays against.

The Jackets not only out-scored the Cardinals but they played a great all-around defensive effort. Seniors Nav Boparai, Reilly Madigan and Amanda Sundell along with junior Calea Borne appeared to read every play with ease as they were all over the field and thwarted almost every Cardinal scoring chance.

Senior goalkeeper Maria Prieto was tested on a couple of plays but as she was positioned perfectly every time she made all of her saves look routine and easy.

The Jackets have a brief rest as they do not play again until Saturday, Oct. 8 versus MidAmerica Nazarene University. The teams will hit the pitch in a 5 p.m. start at The Razz in Lamoni.

GRACELAND UNIVERSITY 5 WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE 1
by Julia Prohaska

The Graceland women’s soccer team continued to practice hard throughout the week in preparation for the game against rivals William Jewell in order to keep an undefeated record at home this Saturday at 5 p.m. Unfortunately freshmen goalkeeper April Due and defender Amanda Precht could not participate in today’s game due to injury.

First half action got under way with Graceland taking the kickoff. Jewell was quick to gain possession keeping the ball in Graceland’s defensive third however their offense failed to break down Graceland’s defense. In the 4th minute Jewell took a corner kick that was stopped and cleared at the far post by defender Meghan Dunagan. Dunagan went at it again this time with help from keeper Maria Prieto to stop the Jewell attackers who entered the box.

At the other end of the pitch it didn’t take Graceland attackers long to kick into gear so they would not get out muscled off the ball. Bethany Garchar started off the attack for Graceland taking on three players which resulted in a corner kick. Misako Inaba and Hiroko Yamauchi took the corner kick that was sent to defender Amanda Sundell who shot high and wide of the target.

Continuing to apply pressure Yamauchi put a through ball to Lara Guscott with a shot just missing the far post. The chances finally clicked for Graceland in the 14th minute with a brilliant corner kick from Inaba connecting with Joceyln Jentsch’s flick on header to on the run Garchar who laced the ball into the net with a ferocious volley to put Graceland in the lead 1-0.

Goaltender Prieto came up big for Graceland making a diving save to push the ball away from the net going out for a Jewell corner kick. Once again Prieto showed her athleticism with another fantastic save that came off the head of a Jewell player. Prieto then used her powerful leg to boot the ball to the posting forwards. Once the forwards received the ball they would continue to press Jewell and their defensive line.

In the 23rd minute William Jewell keeper made a huge diving save stopping Jentsch’s bullet of a shot. Graceland made a substitution: Whitney Danner and Sabine Schwittay replaced Garchar and Guscott to add to Graceland’s attack. In the 28th minute Inaba passed to Schwittay who used speed and power to strike the ball through Jewell’s keeper to end in goal.

Two more substitutions would be made in the first half with Jentsch coming off for Ryoko Fukasawa and Danner coming off for Tina Cook. Reily Madigan was a triple threat in the midfield as she continually won ball after ball by heading, sliding or kicking. Nav Boparai took it personally if any attacker came near Graceland’s goal as she out-muscled and hustled Jewell to clear balls up field. Sundell and Calea Bourne used speed and hustle to clean up in the defensive third. In the 40th minute Prieto once again made an outstanding diving save to shut out Jewell.

In the 42nd minute it was too good to be true as defender Boparai cleared the ball up field to attacker Schwittay who made a 50 yard run up the pitch flying by Jewell’s defense with determination and confidence, placing the ball hard and low in the corner to yet again beat the keeper for her second of the game. Schwittay was still on the prowl as she almost scored again from a combination play by the Japanese trio of Inaba, Yamautchi and Fukasawa. To end first half action Sundell took a free kick that was just over the mark.

Graceland gained possession to start the second half as Jentsch was quick to get off a shot hitting the side netting. In the 46th minute Inaba and Yamautchi took the corner kick ending up in a shot on goal from Yamautchi. Bourne was steady in the back preventing a cross from a Jewell attacker. Prieto made her mark again by performing her patented double save in the 50th minute.

Graceland was on the attack again with Jentcsh slipping the ball between a defender’s legs for a cross toward the goal with Yamauchi sliding into the keeper for the ball. In the 57th minute Garchar passed the ball to Inaba using her breath taking skill to pull the ball back and away from the defender leaving her open for a booming, well placed, shot that was over the keepers head smashing down off the bottom of the goal post bouncing in the net to make it a fantastic 4-0 score.

In the 59th minute Garchar received a yellow card as she jumped in the path of the ball during a free kick. In the 63rd minute Jewell was given a free kick just outside the 18-yard box that resulted in a goal for Jewell as the ball sailed over the wall and Prieto landing in the upper 90 of the goal to make it 4-1. In the 64th minute Schwittay replaces Yamautchi. Graceland held nothing back quick to make it a 5-1 game with Prieto sending a well placed goal kick to attacking player Guscott, who ran onto the ball brilliantly dribbling past defenders one by one slamming the ball to the far post for yet another well deserved goal.

Graceland continued to own the middle of the park making it a smooth progression from the defensive third to the attacking third. Graceland substitution in the 74th minute Angela Sanchez replaces Guscott. Sanchez was quick to outmuscle her opponent and have a strike at goal.

Schwittay continued to work even after getting sandwiched between two Jewell defenders to help create scoring opportunities. There were numerous substitutions nearing the end of the second half for Graceland as Nicole Cummins, Fukasawa, Danner and Tina Cook came into the game replacing Dunagan, Sundell, Garchar and Jentsch. Cummins stood her ground taking on two defenders for a lovely clearance up field. Bopari stayed strong with an all out tackle just outside the 18-yard box for a free kick that was saved by Prieto.

Schwittay was replaced by Garchar in the 82nd minute. Garchar came out fired up as she fired off a shot from a quick turn faking out her opponent. Graceland was fearless and continued to attack with Inaba sending a ball to Cook who reeled off a shot on net. Even with the triple threat, Madigan had her shot at goal without hesitation. With two minutes to go Graceland had a final substitution with Guscott, Dunagan and Yamautchi coming into the game for Bopari, Inaba and Madigan. Guscott surely left her mark on Jewell as she once again dribbled her way by the defensive line beating the keeper with a near post shot to end the scoring making it a 6-1 game.

The game however was still not over as defender Cummins received a yellow card making it Graceland’s second of the game because of a strong tackle to prevent a shot on goal. It was Jewell’s last chance to put one away with a free kick that left wall player Yamautchi “KO” as she fell flat on her back when the ball was smashed into her face leaving her lip cut up and bloody. That would end the game with Graceland defeating rivals Jewell with a score of 6-1. One of the best games yet for the Yellowjackets who made it well worthwhile for everyone who attended or logged on at home.

The Graceland Yellowjackets are scheduled to play MidAmerica Nazarene University on October 8 in Lamoni at 5 p.m.

The Graceland women’s soccer team won their 8th game of the season, as the Jackets beat the Baker University Wildcats 3-1 Saturday afternoon in Baldwin City, Kan. Graceland has now extended their unbeaten streak to 30 consecutive games.

Graceland, who is ranked third in the nation, travels to Marshall, Mo. on September 28 to play the Vikings at 2 p.m., then returns to The RAZZ to play William Jewell College on October 1 at 5 p.m.

GRACELAND UNIVERSITY 5 MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE 1
by Julia Prohaska

The Yellowjackets traveled three hours to play the Missouri Valley Vikings on a rainy, cold, windy day. Graceland came back once again defeating their opponents 5-1 after being down a goal in the first half Wednesday afternoon.

The game got under way with neither team really possessing the ball. The Vikings were quick to counterattack taking a shot on Maria Prieto who held a strong grip on the slippery ball. On a Graceland counterattack Misako Inaba passed to Bethany Garchar who passed to Jocelyn Jentsch who had a shot at Vikings keeper. It was like a pinball match as the ball was kicked up and down the field. Graceland had a miss cleared ball to the Vikings midfielder after a corner kick in the 11th minute and got punished by the Vikings from a strong shot from the 18 yard box deflecting off a Graceland defender’s head ending up in the back of the goal to make it a 1-0 game in favor of the Vikings.

Graceland continued to make turnovers to the Vikings midfield. Sabine Schwittay was substituted into the game replacing Hiroko Yamauchi in the 15th minute of play. Sabine’s hustle up front added to Graceland’s attacking line as Lara Guscott switched from a forward position to help out the midfield line. Graceland continued to press the Vikings resulting in a long shot from Inaba going over the keepers head ending up in the right hand corner of the net to make it a tie game.

Throughout the rest of the first half Graceland continued to take shots and press the Vikings. In the 24th minute Prieto made a double save as the ball slipped from her hands the first time but she was sure to pounce on it a second time to make the save. This resulted in a counterattack in the 30th minute as Reily Madigan received the ball from Jentsch to score an almost impossible angled goal striking the ball from the right side of the field going over the keepers head, hitting off the bottom of the crossbar to bounce in the goal putting the Jackets in the lead.

Three more substitutions would be made before the half was over. Ryoko Fukasawa replaced Calea Bourne, Whitney Danner replaced Jentsch, and Angela Sanchez replaced Sabine Schwittay. The aggressive play led to numerous free kick opportunities for both squads. In the 41st minute Guscott’s strike went off the post and was cleared by the Vikings. The dynamic duo were at it again with Inaba putting a lovely through ball to Garchar ending up in a shot that rocketed into the side netting of the goal. The Vikings had a corner kick with one minute left to play but Graceland made sure to clear the ball out of harms way ending the half leading 2-1 over the Vikings.

Graceland would not let up on the attacking side of things coming out strong hitting another crossbar in the 47th minute. The Vikings keeper did well to tip a strike from Guscott just over the bar. Guscott continued to impress fans with her skillful dribbling around Vikings opponents. In the 53rd minute Danner got taken out by a Viking player. Danner kept her hustle up and made sure to capitalize upfront stealing the ball from the keeper placing it in the goal after receiving a long cross from Sundell. Schwittay came into the game for Danner who is still recovering from hamstring injuries. The keeper still did not get a rest as Garchar’s shot found the goalie both feet in the air landing on her tailbone to make a superb save. Graceland’s defensive line picked up their game making no more mistakes in the back with Prieto grabbing ball after ball and Dunagan forcefully heading any ball that came in her path.

The Vikings showed their frustrations in the 73rd minute tackling Garchar in the box for a penalty shot that would be taken by Jentsch who didn’t think twice about placing the ball in the bottom right hand corner of the goal making it a 4-1 game. The game continued with free kicks galore. In the 79th minute, a Graceland attacker this time, Jentsch, had her jersey yanked, was thrown to the ground and then stepped on by a Viking defender resulting in a second penalty shot for Graceland that would be taken by Garchar who placed the ball in the bottom left hand corner of the goal beating the Vikings keeper.

Final substitutions for Graceland would take the field as Nicole Cummins replaced Madigan and Tina Cook replaced Jentsch. Graceland’s attack continued with Yamautchi playing a through ball to Jentsch who had the ball saved by the keeper. Cook passed the ball into the middle for Inaba who was running in to strike the ball resulting in a diving save from Vikings keeper. Garchar played a ball to Schwittay who shot the ball wide of the target. The last opportunity for the Jackets was by the dynamic duo with Inaba slamming the ball just over the cross bar. The Yellowjackets ended up defeating the Vikings 5-1.

It was a happy ride home for Graceland as both the women’s and men’s teams defeated the Vikings. The ride home was topped off by soul sister singers Prieto and Madigan who sang a mix of songs karaoke style and by muscular Coach Joseph fixing the locker room garage door as a wheel fell off the track.

Graceland will prepare for their next home game against rivals William Jewell College on Saturday October 1 with kick-off at 5 p.m. The Yellowjackets are working their way up the rankings as they hold the 2nd spot in the nation.

GRACELAND UNIVERSITY 3, BAKER UNIVERSITY 1
By Julia Prohaska (red shirt senior)

The game for the Lady Yellowjackets was played on Rockhurst University’s turf field due to Baker’ss field being submerged in water. Graceland women’s soccer team fought back being a goal down to defeat Baker 3-1 Saturday afternoon in Baldwin City, Kan.

Graceland kept possession early in the game working the ball from the defensive third all the way up to the attacking third using combination play. Nav Boparai took a tooth to the head in a collision with a Baker attacker early in the first half. Graceland was unable to penetrate Baker’s defense despite constant pressure from forwards Lara Guscott, Jocelyn Jentsch and Bethany Garchar.

Whitney Danner’s entrance on the pitch was short lived after receiving a clearance ball to the head from teammate Calea Bourne. Danner was taken off the field for treatment of a minor concussion. Midfielder Misako Inaba was quick to counterattack placing the ball to the strikers who had opportunities on goal while Reily Madigan and Hiroko Yamauchi remained strong, winning ball after ball in the middle of the park. However in the 29th minute Baker was quick to capitalize on a giveaway from the back four by striking the ball past goal keeper Maria Prieto to put them in the lead 1-0.

The Jackets came back strong with an opportunity from Sabine Schwittay that was just off the mark. In the 35th minute the Jackets answered back when Garchar put a through ball into Schwittay who slipped the ball on the ground past Baker’s keeper making it a tie game. Just after Schwittay scored she was involved in a head to head collision with a Baker defender but was able to continue for the rest of the half.

Second half action was under way with Graceland once again in possession having two free kicks right off the bat resulting in shots on goal. Guscott broke through Baker’s defense after receiving a through ball from Jentch but was robbed by the keeper. On the other end goal keeper Maria Prieto made an over the top save to keep Graceland in the game.

Inaba and Garchar's offensive dynamic duo was pretty to watch as the two intertwined passes to beat the defense and cause problems for Baker’s keeper. Graceland continued to press winning balls in the back and putting pressure up front. The only thing holding Graceland back was poor distribution of the ball that led to Baker’s free kick just outside the 18-yard box in the 23rd minute. The free kick was blocked by Graceland’s five-man wall and then cleared up field.

Late in the second half defenders Meghan Dunagan and Bourne switched to forwards making run after run. This resulted in a goal in the 36th minute when Guscott beat two defenders striking the ball on net for Bourne who received the deflection from the keeper making no mistake to smash the ball in the left hand corner of the goal making it a 2-1 game. Graceland kept up the intensity as Inaba got a break away and placed the ball just wide of the target. With little under two minutes to go, the dynamic duo were at it again with a fine finish from Inaba chipping the ball over the goalie’s head to add to Graceland’s overall score. Graceland continued to press until the final whistle as right back Amanda Sundell made an exceptional run up the flank getting fouled at the end line before she could cross the ball to end the game.

The Yellowjackets will now prepare for their next game against Missouri Valley College on September 28 at 2 p.m. in Marshall, Mo.

by Julia Prohaska
Last year’s Final Four women’s soccer team is off to a booming start with an undefeated record so far 7-0-0 with 31 goals for and two against in the 2005 soccer season. After losing six starters and Head Coach Kevin Sherry, who resigned from Graceland and took the position as head coach at Western Illinois University, NCAA Division I. We send our warmest wishes to Sherry and hope he is successful in his future endeavors.

The Yellowjackets are now under the tutelage of Head Coach Ivan Joseph, Associate Head Coach Fred Wagenaar and assistants Ben Wagenaar and Mark Wagenaar. The ladies have prepared themselves for a long and hard season.

Both men’s and women’s teams traveled to camp Nauvoo to concentrate solely on soccer while sacrificing television, music and cell phones. The ladies carry many memories with them from camp and have excelled from the overall experience.

Camp Nauvoo is not a place for the light hearted. Blood, sweat and tears is the motto for entering camp. Only the strong survive the mosquitoes, spiders and humidity. On the first day of practice Nicole Cummins went to trap a long ball and unfortunately sprained her ankle in the process. After being examined by the athletic trainers, Cummins was unable to participate in practice for the rest of camp and was missed on the field by her teammates.

The team worked extremely hard each day pushing themselves to limits they never thought imaginable. The term “again, again, again” sticks out clearly in player’s minds as they continuously speak of the nightmare each has every night from sprinting in the pouring rain. In the end it was the thought of gourmet meals that pushed them to train. Both teams would like to thank the wonderful cooks Polly Joseph, Kathy Wagenaar, Sherry Tripp and Nancy Williams.

The ladies are thankful for the bonding experience and enjoyed learning Japanese songs and classical hits from Queen. Thankfully the ladies are alive and glad to be back at Graceland to defend their home turf.

The Graceland women’s soccer team beat Dordt College 6-0 Saturday afternoon in Sioux Center, Iowa.

The Yellowjacket women started the game with one goal in the first half from freshman Tina Cook. In the second half Misako Inaba was the second Graceland player to find the back of the net, then Bethany Garchar had back-to-back-to-back goals at 26:07, 25:16 and 17:45. Lara Guscott ended the scoring for the Jackets with one goal at 17:36.

The Graceland women are currently ranked fourth in the NAIA, which is one spot higher than last week.

Graceland travels to Sioux City, Iowa, tomorrow to play Morningside College. The women return to The Razz September 16 to host William Penn University at 7 p.m.

After jumping one spot to the fourth ranked team in the NAIA, Graceland defeated the 28th team in the nation, Bellevue University, 4-1 Wednesday afternoon in Lamoni, Iowa.

Junior Lara Guscott began the scoring for Graceland, followed by a breakaway goal from junior Jocelyn Jentsch. Guscott scored her second for the night at the end of the first half and freshman Bethany Garcher put in the final goal for the Jackets in the second period.

Graceland travels to Sioux Center, Iowa to play Dordt College on Saturday, then loads up for Sioux City, Iowa to play Morningside on Sunday afternoon. The women return to The Razz September 16 at 7 p.m. to host William Penn University.

The Graceland women’s soccer team scored six goals for the second game in a row, on their way to routing Hastings College 6-1 Friday night in Lamoni.

Freshman Bethany Garcher again scored three for her second hat trick of the season in as many games. Sophomore Meghan Dunagan scored two for the Jackets and junior Lara Guscott had one goal of her own.

Graceland is now 2-0 on the season, and ranked fifth in the nation. The Jackets host Bellevue University on Wednesday, September 7 at 4:00 p.m. followed by two road games to Dordt College and Morningside College before returning to The Razz September 16 to play William Penn University at 7:00 p.m.

The Graceland women’s soccer team will look to extend its 24-game unbeaten streak against Hastings College 7:00 Friday night at the Rasmussen Soccer Complex in Lamoni, Iowa.

To open the regular season, the Jackets beat Concordia University 6-0 in Seward, Neb. Freshman Bethany Garchar scored two goals for Graceland, one of which was a penalty kick, in the regular season opener. Calea Bourne, Lara Guscott, Whitney Danner and Amanda Sundell each had one goal in the game. Senior Maria Prieto recorded the shutout in goal, making four saves in the game.

Graceland is currently ranked fifth in the nation, behind Lindsey Wilson, Robert Morris, Simon Fraser and Lee University.