UW-Oshkosh Celebrates 20 Years Of Women’s Soccer

UW-Oshkosh will commemorate the 20th anniversary of its women's soccer program on Saturday (Oct. 12). The Titans host UW-Eau Claire at 6 p.m. at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

Head Coach Erin Coppernoll invites all former players to attend – whether they played four years or one for the Titans. Players will be honored at halftime and receive a 20th anniversary shirt. Following the game, UW-Oshkosh will host an alumni reception at Fratellos Fieldhouse.

The Titans (7-5-1) are currently on a hot streak, winning seven of their last eight matches. UW-Oshkosh is striving for the 200th victory in program history.

UW-Oshkosh's first match was at Lawrence University on Sept. 8, 1993. The Titans came away with a 1-0 win after Kim Sorensen's second-half goal. Later that season, forward Corrie Brunner became the school's first All-WIAC selection.

Bruce Coleman coached UW-Oshkosh for the first two years, and he was followed by Dave Farin (1995-98), Scott Haywood (1999-2003), Erin O'Driscoll (2003) and Erin Coppernoll (2004-present). Coppernoll is the school's victory leader with 104.

The Titans made a magical run to capture the 2011 WIAC Tournament title. UW-Oshkosh won a shootout against UW-Eau Claire in the opening round. Following a 3-1 triumph at UW-La Crosse, the Titans went to Whitewater and prevailed in another shootout over the defending league champion Warhawks. UW-Oshkosh then won a shootout against Ohio Wesleyan University to advance to the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship.

UW-Oshkosh's other NCAA Division III postseason appearance came in 2006.The Titans finished second in the league standings and received an at-large bid. Loras College (Iowa) earned a 1-0 victory in the first round to end the Titans' run.

Other impressive seasons for UW-Oshkosh include records of 15-4 in 2000, 15-4-3 in 2004, 14-5-2 in 2003 and 13-3-1 in 2001. The Titans finished second in the WIAC during 2001, 2005 and 2006.

Nicole Kunick (2002-05) is the leading scorer in program history, totaling 77 points on 33 goals and 11 assists. UW-Oshkosh's top goalkeeper has been Sara Tomjanovich, who posted a 0.66 goals against average from 2000-03.

UW-Oshkosh defender Carrie Gilbert was named to the 2001 NCAA Division III All-America Second Team. Three Titans have been voted to the All-WIAC First Team three times: Gilbert (2000-02), Michelle John (2004-06) and Lindsay Rau (2001-03).

Jolanda Aalbers recorded the top statistical season in program history during 2000. She totaled 30 goals in 15 games, while scoring a league-record six goals in a victory at UW-River Falls.

The Titans entered the 2013 season with a 192-154-33 overall record. UW-Oshkosh met 68 different opponents, achieving its greatest success against UW-Superior (20-0 record) and UW-Platteville (18-1-1).

UW-Oshkosh has visited several parts of the United States and the world under Coach Coppernoll. The Titans have made team trips to Costa Rica, Italy, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York and Washington D.C. A journey to the United Kingdom is scheduled for 2014.

By Jon Feyen