Sports : UCM
Jennies miss playoffs for first time in 3 seasons
Nov 13, 2009, 9:00 AM
By JOE KWANGLAE, The Muleskinner
WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The Jennies' soccer team defeated No. 23-ranked Nebraska-Omaha 1-0 at the South Recreation Complex this past Saturday in the final match of the regular season.
Even with a seven-match winning streak, it was not enough for the Jennies to earn a spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Jennies were left out of the South Central regional Monday night when the selection committee decided the Jennies were the ninth-best team in the region when only eight can make the postseason.
"I thought we played well. It was one of the best performances in this season," coach Lewis Theobald said of the Jennies win over the Mavericks. "We were really good defensively and created good opportunities and finished it."
The last time the Jennies came close to such a solid end to a season was 2001, when the Jennies reeled off six consecutive victories.
"We showed our quality, I thought we were good," Theobald said. "We played well down the stretch. I always thought that we were a good enough team."
Unfortunately for the Jennies, not everyone felt the same way.
"Honestly, I am disappointed," Theobald said. "But I thought we've done enough. I am just trying to make sure that we do it again next year."
The Jennies closed out the season 13-5-2 overall and a 12-3-1 in MIAA play.
"This season was just like a roller coaster," Theobald said. "I felt like we progressed, we got better and better. We finished a lot better achieving seven wins in a row. It was really good. If any college went 13-5-2, it means it is a good year."
One area that might have hurt the Jennies' chances at postseason play was their early record on the road. Although the Jennies were undefeated at home this season, starting the year losing five of the first six road matches might have been what dug the Jennies' hole too deep.
"We had a hard time at the beginning of the season on the road and we had a lot of away matches," Theobald said. "But as time went by, we played better and better. Eventually we achieved a seven-match win streak no matter if it is home or away."
Now, the Jennies are trying to approach the situation as a new beginning. There seems to be a lot of things the Jennies have to do to get ready for next season.
"Recover from the season is the first thing to do and then we are going to start talking about our program; feedback and so on," Theobald said. "Besides, we are going to make some changes, as well as we need to make sure that we get in better shape early. Next year, we will be stronger because we are going to fix up what we need to be better at."
Even with a seven-match winning streak, it was not enough for the Jennies to earn a spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Jennies were left out of the South Central regional Monday night when the selection committee decided the Jennies were the ninth-best team in the region when only eight can make the postseason.
"I thought we played well. It was one of the best performances in this season," coach Lewis Theobald said of the Jennies win over the Mavericks. "We were really good defensively and created good opportunities and finished it."
The last time the Jennies came close to such a solid end to a season was 2001, when the Jennies reeled off six consecutive victories.
"We showed our quality, I thought we were good," Theobald said. "We played well down the stretch. I always thought that we were a good enough team."
Unfortunately for the Jennies, not everyone felt the same way.
"Honestly, I am disappointed," Theobald said. "But I thought we've done enough. I am just trying to make sure that we do it again next year."
The Jennies closed out the season 13-5-2 overall and a 12-3-1 in MIAA play.
"This season was just like a roller coaster," Theobald said. "I felt like we progressed, we got better and better. We finished a lot better achieving seven wins in a row. It was really good. If any college went 13-5-2, it means it is a good year."
One area that might have hurt the Jennies' chances at postseason play was their early record on the road. Although the Jennies were undefeated at home this season, starting the year losing five of the first six road matches might have been what dug the Jennies' hole too deep.
"We had a hard time at the beginning of the season on the road and we had a lot of away matches," Theobald said. "But as time went by, we played better and better. Eventually we achieved a seven-match win streak no matter if it is home or away."
Now, the Jennies are trying to approach the situation as a new beginning. There seems to be a lot of things the Jennies have to do to get ready for next season.
"Recover from the season is the first thing to do and then we are going to start talking about our program; feedback and so on," Theobald said. "Besides, we are going to make some changes, as well as we need to make sure that we get in better shape early. Next year, we will be stronger because we are going to fix up what we need to be better at."
