Women's Soccer Schedule Includes Trip To California
A pair of contests in California and a late-season four-match homestand highlight the 2015 schedule for the UW-Oshkosh women's soccer team.
The Titans, who made their third appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship a year ago, kick off their 23rd season with home matches at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium against Loras College (Iowa) on Sept. 1 and College of Saint Benedict (Minn.) on Sept. 6.
Following a road game at Marian University on Sept. 11, UW-Oshkosh visits the University of Chicago (Ill.) on Sept. 15. The Maroons (15-5-1) enter the 2015 season ranked 11th in the NCAA Division III by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America after advancing to the third round of last year's national tournament.
UW-Oshkosh commences WIAC play at home against UW-Platteville on Sept. 19. The Titans remain at home the following day (Sept. 20) for a non-conference match against Central College (Iowa).
UW-Oshkosh plays its next four matches on the road, including a two-game trip to Santa Cruz, Calif. The Titans, who also traveled to California for a pair of contests in 2007, will play University of California-Santa Cruz on Sept. 26 and Mills College (Calif.) on Sept. 27. UW-Oshkosh closes its string of road games against WIAC opponents UW-Stout on Oct. 3 and UW-Stevens Point on Oct. 6.
The Titans' next three matches are at home against Milwaukee School of Engineering on Oct. 10, at home against St. Norbert College on Oct. 14 and on the road at UW-River Falls on Oct. 17.
UW-Oshkosh then starts and finishes its longest homestand of the season against teams that appeared in last year's NCAA Division III Championship. The Titans will host University of Dubuque (Iowa) on Oct. 20 and five-time defending WIAC champion UW-Whitewater on Oct. 28. Both teams lost in the opening round of last year's championship, with the University of Dubuque concluding the season with a 16-5-1 record and 20th-ranked UW-Whitewater at 18-4. The homestand also includes games against UW-Eau Claire on Oct. 24 and Concordia University Wisconsin on Oct. 25.
The Titans wrap up their 18-match schedule at UW-La Crosse on Oct. 31.
UW-Oshkosh returns 18 letter winners from last year's squad that posted a 12-8-1 record and finished second in the WIAC with a 6-2 mark. The Titans, who have suffered just one losing season since 2000, qualified for last year's NCAA Division III Championship by defeating UW-Whitewater, 1-0, in the WIAC Tournament title game.
UW-Oshkosh's list of returning players includes six starters from 2014. Junior midfielder Robyn Elliott, a two-time All-WIAC selection, has started all 42 matches the past two seasons, while senior defender Nikki Mann has started 60 of the team's last 61 contests. Mann, along with junior forward Rachel Elliott, was also an All-WIAC performer in 2014. Junior defender Ashley Siewert, an All-WIAC honoree in 2013, is back for the Titans as well.
UW-Oshkosh registered six shutouts last season and allowed just two goals during its eight WIAC matches. Senior goalkeeper Nina Muzi returns after leading the WIAC in goals-against average (.608) and save percentage (.898) a year ago.
Head coach Erin Coppernoll leads the Titans for her 12th season. She owns a 120-80-22 record at UW-Oshkosh and a 144-125-25 overall coaching mark (15 seasons).
The Titans held their first practice for the 2015 season on Aug. 19.