Excellence

Excellence

14 Consistency

14 Consistency

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Crusader of the Week - Maggie Donnellan

 Capital University senior Maggie Donnellan is this week's Crusader of the Week after helping lead the women's soccer team to a pair of wins and helping the Crusaders move into a tie for first place in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
Donnellan, a goalkeeper from Cincinnati, Ohio, combined with Kim Leitch for a 5-0 shutout of Marietta on Tuesday to back up senior Hilary Ells' four-goal performance. Four days later, the two-time OAC Goalkeeper of the Year posted five saves, including a huge save down the stretch, in Capital's 2-1 come-from-behind overtime victory over Baldwin Wallace at Bernlohr Stadium.
Donnellan ranks in the top three in the OAC in saves (84), save percentage (.848) and goals against average (0.92). She has three solo shutouts for the season and has been a part of five others.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Pumpkin Patch Fun

Every year during mid-term week, Capital gives students a Friday off for "Fall Break". For most students this means going home or enjoying a 3 day weekend. However, for Fall student-athlete's it usually just means a day of hanging out, practice and no classes. This year we decided that not only did our team need that Fall break from class, but maybe they needed a little Fall Fun Day! So, the coaches and players packed up in 3 vans and headed to Leed's Farm in Marysville, OH. The farm included a small petting zoo, a zip line, hayrides, the big pumpkin jump, Tube Time! and delicious snacks and cider! Take a look at some of the fun the girls had!
(Pay no attention to Freshman Jenna Zuberi and her goofy face!)

Zip Line
As part of the day, almost every member of the team, Coaches included, took a turn at the Zip Line! Some people were a lot more worried than others! Including Freshmen Jackie Kelly and Cassaddie Roach. But no worries, they faced their fear head on and went for it anyway!



Snacks
Not only did the Farm have activities, but a snack stand with pumpkin break, pumpkin whoopie pies, pumpkin cookies, warm apple cider, soft pretzels and much more! 
 
  Freshmen (Left to Right): Melissa Spurbeck, Cassaddie Roach, Claire Quinn, Kylie Tritt & Jenna Zuberi enjoy some snacks after the zip line.

The Pumpkin Jump
Fun for the whole team! The pumpkin jump is a big bouncy trampoline like activity. The team had to go in their own group - I don't think the workers trusted them on there with little kids...to be expected!


TUBE TIME!
This part of the Farm was taken up by mostly little kids and their parents. However, a group of players took it upon themselves to set up a race and torture each other a bit. (Fun torture of course!)
Freshman Melissa Spurbeck and Sophomore Allison Mervau roll their teammates in the Tube!

That group as having a little too much fun!

Classmates, Cassaddie Roach and Jackie Kelly push Kylie Tritt as she flops around inside the tube!



All in all, the day was a success! Keep visiting for an update with videos from the zip line, the pumpkin jump and tube time! 








Thursday, October 24, 2013

The Road to 11-4-1

vs. Kenyon

COLUMBUS – Capital University's women's soccer team capped off its non-conference regular schedule on Wednesday evening, with a 2-0 victory over Kenyon College.
In the first half of play, both teams established a very physical style of play, as a combined 15 fouls were recorded in the opening frame.
Pacing the Crusaders attack in the first half was seniorHilary Ells who tallied two shots, both on goal, while freshman Monique Hanayik substituted in to help pressure the opposition on on the offensive side of the ball.
Heading into halftime, the game was scoreless despite Capital recording four of its six shots on goal, while the Ladies tallied seven of their nine shots on goal.
"Kenyon came at us hard and had us a bit unbalanced in the first half," said head coach Chris Kouns. "But, once we got our footing and began to keep possession and play it around on the ground, then we began to find the game and the attacking success that came with it."
Shortly into the second half, the Crusaders took a 1-0 advantage in the 54th minute following a goal by Ells on a rebound that she corralled from her previous shot, striking the ball over the Kenyon goalkeeper.
Just eight minutes later, the Ladies committed a foul in the box, giving the Capital a penalty kick.
Sophomore Maura Fortino took the penalty kick, extending the Crusaders lead to 2-0 in the 62nd minute...
vs. John Carroll

COLUMBUS – The Capital University women's soccer team opened up its Ohio Athletic Conference regular season schedule with a 2-0 win over John Carroll on Saturday afternoon.
Last year, the Crusaders saw their season come to an end following the Blue Streaks advancing in the OAC Tournament quarterfinals after a 1-1 draw in double overtime, leading to John Carroll's 3-2 shootout victory.
As the first half began, both teams were limited to just two shots on goal apiece in the opening frame, as neither team managed to score through the first 45 minutes.
In the opening half, Capital recorded nine total shots as opposed to John Carroll's four, while neither team was able to earn a corner kick.
But, as the second half of play got underway, the Crusaders were able to unload scoring two goals in a span of 12 minutes.
The first goal came in the 52nd minute on an assist by sophomore Jamie Murray, in which freshman Monique Hanayik tapped into the left side of the net past the outstretched arms of the Blue Streaks goalkeeper.
On the second goal, it was Murray in the 64th minute who once again tallied an assist, crossing a shot from the far right side of the field to senior Hilary Ells, who netted a shot inside the box to the upper right corner of the goal.
From that point forward, the Crusaders were able to stifle the Blue Streaks offensive attack, limiting them to just four of their seven shots coming on goal for the game.
With the 2-0 victory, the Crusaders recorded their third straight shutout, fifth in their last six matches...
vs. Heidelberg

COLUMBUS – Capital University's women's soccer team defeated Heidelberg, 2-0, on Friday afternoon in the second Ohio Athletic Conference of the Crusaders' 2013 regular season.
Following a scoreless first half of play, in which both teams combined for nine shots, the Crusaders opened up the second half with a goal almost right away.
In the 49th minute, freshman Becca Cartmill scored the first goal of the match on an assist from freshman Claire Quinn, coming off a ball that rolled passed the Heidelberg goalkeeper, allowing for Cartmill to net the ball into the top left corner.
Then in the 67th minute, sophomore Jamie Murrayplaced a textbook cross off to Cartmill, who extended the Crusaders lead following a one touch shot for her second goal of the game.  
From that point forward, neither team managed to find the net, as the Crusaders capped off their fourth straight shutout with a 2-0 victory.
In total, the Crusaders tallied 15 shots with nine of them coming on goal, as opposed to five of six shots coming on goal for Heidelberg.
"For teams that want to be championship caliber and want to compete at the levels we hope to compete at, we need a much better effort and focus than we came with this evening," Kouns said.
Leading the way for the Crusaders was Cartmill, scoring her second and third goals of the season, while Quinn and Murray recorded their first and third assists, respectively.
Senior goalkeeper Maggie Donnellan once again locked down the net for the Crusaders, stopping all four shots on goal that she faced....
@Wilmington

WILMINGTON, Ohio – The Capital University women's soccer team had its four game win streak snapped on Wednesday night, falling 2-1 at Ohio Athletic Conference opponent Wilmington.
"Wilmington is an extremely tough place to play," head coach Chris Kouns said. "They play extremely hard at home and when you come here, you know you're going to be in for a battle and it will come down to who wants to win more than who has to win."
In the opening period, both teams managed to find the back of the net, scoring within a 13 minute span of one another.
Wilmington inked the scoreboard first on an assisted shot in the 27th minute, giving the Quakers a 1-0 advantage midway through the first half of play.
However, the Crusaders would answer with a score of their own, as senior Hilary Ells netted an unassisted goal in the 40th minute, just before halftime.
Heading into an evenly tied halftime, both teams managed to unload a fair amount of shots in the opening frame, as Capital totaled seven as opposed to Wilmington's nine.
As the second half unfolded, neither team could break the tie for over 30 minutes, until the Quakers managed to find the back of the net in the 39th minute, giving them a 2-1 lead.
The Quakers goal came on a penalty kick in the 39thminute, a shot which was initially saved by senior goalkeeper Maggie Donnellan, but was still a live ball to which Wilmington tapped in for the decisive goal.
"Maggie (Donnellan) did a tremendous job saving that penalty kick," Kouns said. "But we just stood there and watched the ball and Wilmington followed it up and finished it in.".....
@Mount Union

ALLIANCE, Ohio – The Capital University women's soccer team defeated Mount Union, 2-1, in comeback fashion on Saturday afternoon.
"Today was probably some of the best soccer we have played all season," said head coach Chris Kouns. "We really controlled the entire game outside about a ten minute span of counter attacking and our team showed some terrific character today."
After 35 minutes of play, the Purple Raiders broke the scoreless tie, netting the game's first goal in the 36thminute.
"We shouldn't have given up that goal," Kouns said. "But, you have to credit Mount Union for finishing the play into the net."
Heading into halftime, both teams managed to unload just four shots a piece, while the Crusaders surrendered the lone penalty kick of the opening frame to their opposition.
As the second half unfolded, neither team could find the net for quite some time, as both teams went without a goal for over 30 minutes of play.
Then in 79th minute, the Crusaders tied the game at 1-1 following an assist to the near post by sophomore Allison Mervau, where sophomore Jamie Murray was waiting for the score.
Three minutes later, the Crusaders took their first lead of the match as freshman Becca Cartmill scored the tiebreaking goal in the 82nd minute, this time Murray was on the assisting end of the score after winning a ball on their end of the field.
From that point forward, the Crusaders held the Purple Raiders offense at bay, eventually going on to win by a final score of 2-1....
@ Ohio Northern

ADA, Ohio - Capital University's women's soccer team suffered a 2-0 defeat at Ohio Northern on Sunday afternoon. 
The match was originally scheduled for Oct. 8, but was postponed due to inclement weather on the day of the game.
So as the Crusaders traveled to Ada for a rare Sunday regular season Ohio Athletic Conference matchup, they were also on the verge of competing in their third conference game in a span of five days. 
Ohio Northern got on the board first with a goal in the 15th minute of play, with the score coming on a ball that made its way into the box and was deflected into the net for a 1-0 lead.
Then in the 32nd minute, the Polar Bears doubled their lead following a cross into the box that was headed just past senior goalkeeper Maggie Donnellan, giving the Polar Bears a 2-0 halftime advantage.
After one half of play, the Polar Bears managed to unload 12 shots as opposed to the Crusaders total of four. 
As the second half unfolded, the Crusaders were able to manufacture a few opportunities, increasing their shot total to seven in the second half, 11 total for the match. 
"I'm really pleased with the effort of those who played in the second half," said head coach Chris Kouns. "We created some dangerous opportunities that their goalkeeper came up big on a few times."
However, Capital was unable to find the back of the net, as the Polar Bears went on to win, 2-0, in the Crusaders fifth OAC regular season match.
"Obviously we were very disappointed to lose," Kouns said. "Not sure if it was a result of yesterday's game, but we came out very flat in the first half and just did not play very well."
Kouns did point out though that the second half proved to be a potential building block for the remainder of the Crusaders regular season conference schedule....

vs. Marietta


COLUMBUS – The Capital University women's soccer team dominated in a 5-0 win over Marietta on Tuesday afternoon, improving to 4-2 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
Capital's first half was jump started by senior Hilary Ells, who scored four goals in the opening frame, giving the Crusaders a commanding 4-0 advantage at the half.
In addition, the Crusaders managed to unload 17 shots, 12 of them on goal, in the first half.
As the second half unfolded, the Crusaders unveiled a fresh set of 11 players on the field, who added to the team's lead in the 85th minute of play, as freshmanJackie Kelly put the finishing touches, from just outside the box, on an assist by senior Alyssa Goodnight.
"In the second half, I thought a couple of the players who came in did very well for themselves," said head coach Chris Kouns. "Madison (Palmer) really did a good job showing for the ball and playing short connecting balls to help us get forward."
In total, Capital manufactured 13 shots on goal out of a total of 22 shots.
"We had some individuals step forward today and turn up their sleeves to work on the little things," Kouns said. "That should benefit us in the coming week."
Leading the way for the Crusaders was Ells, recording four goals on the afternoon, the most scored in a Capital women's soccer match since Joey Hayes did so against Bluffton in 1999. Ells now sits atop the Crusaders list this season in both points (24) and goals (12).
"Obviously Hilary Ells really turned up her work rate today and that made the difference for us in the final third," Kouns said. "If she brings that work rate on a consistent basis down the stretch, we will be able to make a good run in the OAC Tournament.".....

For more information including the full stories, box scores and the remainder of our schedule please check out our website: http://athletics.capital.edu/sports/wsoc/index

Monday, October 7, 2013

Donnellan Earns OAC Player of the Week Honors

Senior goalkeeper Maggie Donnellan, of the Capital University women's soccer team, has earned Ohio Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Player of the Week honors.
Donnellan, a two-time OAC Goalkeeper of the Year, earned Player of the Week after back-to-back 2-0 shutout victories by the Crusaders over Kenyon this past Wednesday, and conference opponent John Carroll this past Saturday.
In those two matches, Donnellan started both games, posting a 0.00 goals against average, while saving 13 shots for a 1.000 save percentage.
She also improved to 8-2-1 as a starter this season, while helping lock down the net, extending the Crusaders' shutout streak to three with five of their last six matches having ended in shutout victories.
On the season, Donnellan has started all 11 games in net for the Crusaders, en route to recording 52 saves with a 0.83 goals against average and .852 save percentage so far this season.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Breast Cancer Awareness Game

For more information on Courage, Conquer & Cure, visit: CourageConquerCure.com (Jodi Brown photo)
This Saturday marks the Capital University men's and women's soccer teams Breast Cancer Awareness games at Bernlohr Stadium.
Capital's afternoon matchup against  John Carroll will not only begin Ohio Athletic Conference play, but will also conclude an entire day of the women's soccer team helping the cause and marshaling the kids race at the Courage, Conquer & Cure 5K in Canal Winchester.
The Courage, Conquer & Cure 5K was founded by Jodi Brown, an alumni of Capital and former women's soccer player for the Crusaders (1996-2000).
During her Career at Capital, Brown earned honorable mention, as well as first and second team All-OAC honors, while also playing on two OAC regular season and tournament championship teams, and a Crusaders team that made an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1999.   
Brown, a stage three breast cancer survivor, was able to overcome this major obstacle with the help of The James Cancer Hospital and the overwhelming support of both family and friends.
"Being such a competitor, I chose that I was not going to let this cancer ruin my life," Brown said. "So I decided to fight back and give back."
That she did, as Brown found that helping support fellow breast cancer patients was key in the creation of the event.
"About a year after my treatment I was helping other newly diagnosed women, telling them about my cancer and my treatment, but it wasn't enough," Brown said. "I wanted to do more, something that would really change lives. So I decided that was giving money to Chris Spielman and his late wife Stefanie."
The Stefanie Spielman fund for Breast Cancer Research is the source through which Brown's event was established for, as proceeds from the race directly go to the Spielman fund.
"By raising money that goes directly to the Stefanie Spielman Fund, it means that myself and all women have a chance of being long term survivors," Brown said. "It means that our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers could have a vaccine someday that will prevent this dreaded disease."
Last year marked the inaugural year of the event, as over 800 people participated in the race.
For the Full story visit our Website

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

CAPITAL CRUSADER OF THE WEEK:

Each week a Capital Student-Athlete is chosen as Crusader of the Week. We have now had two of our very own elected as the Crusader of the Week: Including Hilary Ells 


September 9-15 Crusader of the Week: Hilary Ells



Capital University senior Hilary Ells of the women's soccer team is this week's Crusader of the Week after a pair of superb offensive performances helped Capital post a 2-0 record over the weekend.


Ells, a forward from Grandview Heights, Ohio, scored in each of the Crusaders' victories in the Fort Rapids Invitational at Bernlohr Stadium.


In Capital's 3-1 triumph over Berry (Ga.) on Friday, Ells padded the Crusaders' lead with a goal in the 83rd minute, taking a pass from freshman Monique Hanayik and finishing from 18 yards out.


Ells tallied what proved to be the game-winning goal in Capital's 3-0 victory over Shenandoah (Va.) on Sunday. In the 13th minute, Ells took advantage of the Shenandoah keeper's position in the box and found the upper left corner of the net from 20 yards out. It was her third goal just four matches into the 2013 season.



Read Ells' full bio here.


Sept 30 - Oct 6 Crusader of the Week: Jamie Murray

Capital University sophomore Jamie Murray is this week's Crusader of the Week after a stellar performance on Friday for the women's soccer team. 
Murray, a forward from West Palm Beach, Fla., tallied what proved to be the game-winning goal in the Crusaders' 2-0 victory over Mount St. Joseph at Bernlohr Stadium. She found the back of the net in the 24th minute off a pass from senior midfielder Livvy Hein. 
For the season, Murray is tied for the team lead with five goals and 10 points. She posted two goals against then-No. 5 Carnegie Mellon (Pa.) in Capital's season-opening contest at Penn State Behrend. 
The Crusaders were ranked fifth in the Great Lakes Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and have been ranked as high as No. 22 in the country by the NSCAA. 
Read Murray's full bio here.


GET CAUGHT UP ON OUR SEASON!

@ Wittenberg


Springfield, Ohio – The Capital University women's soccer team keeps its unbeaten streak alive with a 1-0 victory over Wittenberg on the road Wednesday evening.
Coming into the match, the Crusaders, who are currently ranked No. 22 in the latest NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division III National Poll, had not suffered defeat in over two weeks and were not planning on changing that course anytime soon.
"What is great about this team and this little run that we are on is that great teams find a way to win," said head coach Chris Kouns.
That they did once again coming up big in the clutch as senior Hilary Ells netted the lone goal of the game in the 85th minute, as the Crusaders edged the Tigers, 1-0.
Sophomore Maura Fortino, who logged just twelve minutes in the game due to injury, recorded the assist on a corner kick for the game-winner.

vs. Hanover

Columbus – The No. 22 ranked Capital University women's soccer team returned home on Saturday afternoon in hopes of keeping their six match unbeaten streak alive.
Capital came into the match fresh off a late game goal that sealed a 1-0 victory over Wittenberg on Sept. 18, while their opponent, Hanover College (Ind.), entered the match off a scoreless draw to Thomas More.
"When you have two teams like today that have the records we did and have shown some quality," said head coach Chris Kouns. "Games then come down to, do your go-to players play and do they show up."
As the first half unfolded, the Crusaders saw a few early opportunities to get on the board first, as sophomore Mariah Richards and senior Hilary Ells were able to attack their opposition with a pair of shots on goal.
However, both shots sliced high as early chances to score were thwarted by mere inches above the goalpost.
Late in the 23rd minute, the Panthers inked the scoreboard off a deflected shot that was rebounded and tapped into the low corner of the net, taking a 1-0 lead.
From that point forward, the Crusaders would manage to tally a pair of corner kicks, to go along with a blocked shot coming off the foot of senior Holly Phillips, while sophomore Jamie Murray attempted a header shortly after, but to no avail.
vs. Mount St. Joseph



COLUMBUS – The Capital University women's soccer team rekindled its winning ways on Friday, protecting home turf vs. Mount St. Joseph in a 2-0 victory.
In the first half, the Crusaders set the tone early with five shots in the first twelve minutes of play.
Another handful of shots on goal followed before Capital senior Hilary Ells nearly netted a shot with her back foot inside the box, but the Lions defense was able to clear the attack just before the ball entered the goal.
However, just three minutes later, sophomore Jamie Murray netted the team's first goal on a shot that came off an assist from senior Livvy Hein, giving the Crusaders an early 1-0 advantage.
Following Murray's goal, the Crusaders managed to keep the pressure on their opposition, striking four of their next six shots on goal, but none of them resulted in a score, leaving Capital leading 1-0 at halftime.
With the second half underway, the Crusaders looked to capitalize more often than they did in the opening frame, which eventually led to a textbook score to extend the lead.
In the 62nd minute, junior Jessie Cermelj initiated the attack, finding a seam to feed an excellent cross inside the twelve to sophomore Maura Fortino for a one touch shot into the net from the far right side.
"We were able to work the ball better out of the back than we had in past games," said head coach Chris Kouns. "That was one of our priorities this week, and Corey (McClellan), Lauren (Roy), Michelle (Geiger), Mariah (Richards) and Claire (Quinn) kept things moving and made good decisions with the ball at their feet."
The goal by Fortino proved to be the final goal of the game, as Capital shutout Mount St. Joseph, 2-0.
With the shutout victory, it is the fourth of the season for the Crusaders, and third in their last four games.
Check out the Goals from Sophomores Jamie Murray and Maura Fortino Below: