SOCCER STAFF. S e n i o r s. J u n i o r s. S o p h o m o r e s. F r e s h m e n. Panther Soccer: The OVC s Premier Program

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Panther Soccer: The OVC s Premier Program PROGRAM INFO Conference...Ohio Valley (14th year) 2008 Overall Record... 3-14-2 2008 OVC Record... 3-4-1 (5th) OVC Tournament Finish.

1 Panther Soccer: The OVC s Premier Program PROGRAM INFO Conference...Ohio Valley (14th year) 2008 Overall Record OVC Record (5th) OVC Tournament Finish... Lost in First Round Home Facility... Lakeside Field Capacity...1,000 Letterwinners Returning/Lost...15/4 Starters Returning/Lost...8/3 Newcomers...5 All-Time Records Overall (.574) At Lakeside Field (.713) Away (.493) Neutral (.360) Ohio Valley (1998-Present) (.730) OVC Tournament (.711) Missouri Valley ( ) (.656) MVC Tournament (.500) NCAA Tournament (.000) Postseason (.571) SOCCER STAFF Head Coach...Summer Perala (1st year) Alma Mater (Year)...Western Illinois (2002) EIU Record... First Year Career Record... Same ... sdperala@eiu.edu Office Phone...(217) Assistant Coach...Grant Williams (1st year) Alma Mater (Year)... Western Kentucky (2004) ...gtwilliams2@eiu.edu Office Phone...(217) Office Fax...(217) Athletic Trainer...Aaron Hasselhorst SID Contact...Ben Turner ... bwturner@eiu.edu Athletics Web site... CONTENTS Quick Facts & Roster...1 Head Coach Summer Perala...2 Assistant Coach Grant Williams...3 Women s Soccer Photo Gallery Returning Letter-Winner Profiles Sam Balek...6 Hillary Blake...7 Jessica Blake...8 Ashley Eck...9 Elise Farrelly...10 Danielle Flynn...11 Rachel Hamilton...12 Sam Kohen...13 Kaylin Lorbert...14 Alexis Miller...15 Erika Prazma...16 Laura Ridolfi...17 Sarah Rusk...18 Cassie Shear...19 Ashley Streid...20 Katilin Sullivan...21 Jenny Williams...22 Newcomer Profiles Caitlin Burke & Kayla Doran...23 Kristin Germann & Jessie Morgan...24 Jessica Taldone Statistics & Results Season Notes Opponent Info...28 All-Time Series History & OT Wins...29 Year-by-Year Results Record Book Yearly Leaders & All-Time Roster...34 Program Honor Roll...35 OVC History & Standings...36 Yearly Stats & Game Scoring Results Eastern Illinois ROSTER # Name Pos Ht Yr Hometown (High School/Previous) 0 Jenny Williams GK 5-5 Sr Quincy, IL (Quincy) 1 Jessica Taldone GK 5-7 Fr Crystal Lake, IL (Crystal Lake South) 2 Laura Ridolfi M 5-3 Sr Godfrey, IL (Marquette Catholic) 3 Ashley Streid F 5-5 RS-Fr Granite City, IL (Granite City) 4 Kayla Doran M 5-5 Fr St. Charles, MO (Incarnate Word) 5 Cassie Shear D 5-5 RS-Jr Clawson, MI (Clawson) 6 Sarah Rusk M 5-4 Jr Woodridge, IL (Downers Grove South) 7 Kaitlin Sullivan M/F 5-4 Jr Chatham, IL (Chatham-Glenwood) 8 Sam Kohen M/F 5-4 Sr Buffalo Grove, IL (Stevenson) 9 Hillary Blake D/M 5-2 So Naperville, IL (Waubonsie Valley) 10 Rachel Hamilton F 5-5 Sr Springfield, IL (Sacred Heart-Griffin) 11 Elise Farrelly M 5-5 So Geneva, IL (Geneva) 12 Alexis Miller M 5-1 Sr St. Peters, MO (Incarnate Word) 13 Jessica Blake F 5-2 So Naperville, IL (Waubonsie Valley) 14 Ashley Eck M/F 5-6 Sr Springfield, IL (Sacred Heart-Griffin) 15 Jessie Morgan M/F 5-4 Fr Aurora, IL (Waubonsie Valley) 16 Danielle Flynn D 6-0 Jr O Fallon, MO (St. Joseph s) 17 Caitlin Burke M/F 5-2 Fr Carbondale, IL (Carbondale) 18 Erika Prazma D 5-5 So Granite City, IL (Granite City) 22 Sam Balek D 5-9 So Palatine, IL (Fremd/Arizona State) 23 Kristin Germann M/F 5-4 Fr Carbondale, IL (Carbondale) 30 Kaylin Lorbert GK 5-5 Jr Wildwood, MO (St. Joseph s) Head Coach: Summer Perala (1st year) Assistant Coach: Grant Williams (1st year) Team Manager: Angela Ziemba (2nd year) Letters Earned Pronunciation Guide #1 Jessica TALDONE: Tal-doh-own... #11 Elise FARRELLY: Far-lee #2 Laura RIDOLFI: Rid-doll-fee... #18 Erika PRAZMA: Praz-muh #3 Ashley STREID: Stride.... #22 Sam BALEK: Bay-lick #4 Kayla DORAN: Door-an.... #23 Kristin GERMANN: Gerr-men #5 Cassie SHEAR: Sheer.... #30 Kaylin LORBERT: Lore-bert #8 Sam KOHEN: Co-in.... HC: Summer PERALA: Per-el-uh S e n i o r s S o p h o m o r e s J u n i o r s F r e s h m e n

2009 Eastern Illinois Women s Soccer 2 Head Coach Summer Perala Following a six-year stint at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, during which she transitioned from a graduate assistant to

Just the third head coach in program history, Perala played against the Panthers in each of her four years (1998-01) as the starting goalkeeper at cross-state rival Western Illinois.

2 2009 Eastern Illinois Women s Soccer 2 Head Coach Summer Perala Following a six-year stint at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, during which she transitioned from a graduate assistant to associate head coach, Rockford native Summer Perala has returned to the state where she grew up and attended college to become the head coach of Eastern Illinois women s soccer. Just the third head coach in program history, Perala played against the Panthers in each of her four years ( ) as the starting goalkeeper at cross-state rival Western Illinois. Perala joined Paul Harbin s coaching staff at UAB in June 2003 as a graduate assistant. The Blazers enjoyed quite a bit of success during her time with the program, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in 2004 and UAB was the Conference USA regular-season champion in 2003 to go along with its tournament titles in 04 and 06. The 2004 team won a school-record 16 games and defeated Wake Forest in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Perala made an immediate impact on UAB s goalkeeper corps, which was comprised of only a pair of freshman keepers when she arrived on campus. In 2003, the Blazers limited the opposition to 21 goals in 19 games and registered nine shutouts, both program records. The defensive excellence carried UAB to a 13-win season and its first C-USA title. 1st Year Perala completed a master s degree in the fall of 2005 and was invited to stay on as a full-time assistant coach, while also serving as the Director of UAB Girls Soccer Goalkeeper Camps. She was promoted to associate head coach after the 2006 season. Harbin also proved to be a valuable mentor during her six years in Birmingham. Paul was a fantastic mentor and allowed me to be involved in every aspect of the UAB program, Perala says. He was instrumental in helping me see the bigger picture in college athletics. As a coach, you are attempting to mold a student-athlete into a well-rounded, productive and successful individual. Paul instilled the value of doing the right thing, and doing it well. Although EIU and UAB have never squared off in women s soccer, Perala still got an opportunity to see the Panthers play regularly in Birmingham. From , a memorable rivalry developed between EIU and Birmingham s other Division I university, Samford. Eastern and Samford squared off in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament four times during the Bulldogs five years as a league member including three straight years ( ) in the title game. Perala says she always made a point of attending the EIU-Samford games in Birmingham whenever possible. Now a college head coach for the first time, Perala is excited to begin putting her mark on the only program to qualify for the OVC Tournament every season the event has been held. I m very excited about this opportunity, she says. Eastern Illinois has such a solid reputation in both academics and athletics. The university has all the right tools to attract the student-athlete that will have an impact on the field and help bring our program back to the top of a challenging Ohio Valley Conference. Having played against Eastern, I understand the success this program has enjoyed in the past and the type of players who contributed to that success. I believe that in combining player personalities of our current squad with the incoming players, we can only get better. Based on the support from the administration and team, I couldn t have asked for a better environment to step into. Perala does plan on diversifying both the roster and schedule. She acknowledges the success that EIU has had with a Midwestern focus in the recruiting and scheduling efforts, but would like to expand the program s profile toward the horizons. For our initial recruiting efforts, we re really looking to bring in athletic, blue collar, hard-working kids that are competent technically and tactically. We ve been fortunate with getting kids outside of the Midwest to look at Eastern Illinois. I understand there s a depth of talent in Illinois and the St. Louis area; this region is very soccer savvy. However, our job is to not only bring in the best players from Illinois and the region, but from out-of-state as well. Perala finished her playing career as the all-time saves (570) leader in both Western Illinois and Summit League history, averaging more than eight saves per game over her four years. Her.835 save percentage in 1999 was the single-season school record until On four occasions, she made 15-plus saves in a game. She also credits her college coach, Jen Daniels, for helping to highlight her current career path. Perala says she came to Western as a pre-med major before making the transition to the education department as a sophomore. She served as a student assistant for one season at WIU while finishing her degree. After student teaching, she spent the spring of 2003 as the head coach of the girls varsity team at Guilford High School, her alma mater. While EIU as a university and its women s soccer program had already impressed Perala for some time, the players she has inherited also made a strong first impression in the spring. The team did a wonderful job of adjusting to the different expectations when I arrived, she says. I ll give them their due; they worked extremely hard and did everything I asked of them and then some. We had a little bit of a rough start, but by our third match (a 3-0 win against Valparaiso) everything seemed to be coming together. It felt good to end the spring with a game like that, and it gave the team motivation to come into the fall season prepared to hit the ground running.

Panther Soccer: The OVC s Premier Program Asst. Coach Grant Williams Grant Williams begins his first year as an assistant coach on Summer Perala s staff in the fall of 2009.

WKU won Sun Belt Conference title in 2007 and reached the SBC Tournament title game a year later. The Lady Toppers also earned a regional ranking from SoccerBuzz.com both seasons.

I m very excited to have Grant join our staff, Perala said. Coming from a successful program at Western Kentucky, he understands the commitment and hard work needed to win at the championship level.

I would like to thank Summer and the search committee for the opportunity to become st ear part of the EIU women s soccer program, Williams added.

For their support during this process, I would also like to thank my wife, WKU coach Jason Neidell, and the rest of the WKU athletic department.

3 Panther Soccer: The OVC s Premier Program Asst. Coach Grant Williams Grant Williams begins his first year as an assistant coach on Summer Perala s staff in the fall of Williams comes to EIU after spending three seasons as an assistant at Western Kentucky University. The Lady Hilltoppers compiled a record during his time in Bowling Green. WKU won Sun Belt Conference title in 2007 and reached the SBC Tournament title game a year later. The Lady Toppers also earned a regional ranking from SoccerBuzz.com both seasons. Williams was on hand for the Panthers final game this spring, a 3-0 victory against Valparaiso. Eastern and WKU played each other during the 2007 and 2008 regular-seasons as well. I m very excited to have Grant join our staff, Perala said. Coming from a successful program at Western Kentucky, he understands the commitment and hard work needed to win at the championship level. His knowledge and passion for the game, as well as his ability to motivate, will be a fantastic addition to the EIU family. I would like to thank Summer and the search committee for the opportunity to become st ear part of the EIU women s soccer program, Williams added. Eastern soccer has a strong tradition and I look forward to making a valuable contribution to its future success. For their support during this process, I would also like to thank my wife, WKU coach Jason Neidell, and the rest of the WKU athletic department. Williams holds a United States Soccer Federation National B Coaching License. He also earned an NSCAA Regional Goalkeeping diploma in Around the Bowling Green area, Williams served as the assistant director of Southern Kentucky Soccer (200407), a staff coach in the Kentucky ODP program ( , 2007) and a head coach in the SKY Soccer club ( ). He also worked with boys varsity and junior varsity teams at Bowling Green High School from after volunteering during the school year. Williams earned his bachelor s degree in exercise science from WKU in 2004 and was a three-time President s Scholar. He served as a special instructor in the physical education department in Williams also served a summer camp coach at Centre College (Danville, Ky.) from and was selected to assist with the play-by-play and color commentary for the 2000 and 2001 NAIA national championships. Williams completed his master s degree in exercise science at WKU in the spring. He and his wife Elaine have been married since Y Support Staff Aaron Hasselhorst Athletic Trainer Angela Ziemba Team Manager Eric Cash Strength & Conditioning Cindy Tozer Academic Services

2009 Eastern Illinois Women s Soccer Since its inception in 1995, Eastern Illinois women s soccer has enjoyed the most comprehensive success

The Panthers are the only Ohio Valley Conference team to qualify for the league s postseason tournament winning it five times every year the

Eastern also holds a number of conference records, both individual and team, highlighted by the career goals and points marks held by.

The women of EIU soccer also excel in the classroom and have consistently been ranked in the Top 75 nationally in team GPA.

William Perry at the Student-Athlete Award Banquet.

Right: Laura Ridolfi, with her parents Leanne & Gene, and Alexis Miller at the 08 studentathlete award banquet.

4 2009 Eastern Illinois Women s Soccer Since its inception in 1995, Eastern Illinois women s soccer has enjoyed the most comprehensive success on the field and in the classroom of any athletic program at EIU. The Panthers are the only Ohio Valley Conference team to qualify for the league s postseason tournament winning it five times every year the event has been sponsored (1999-present). Eastern also holds a number of conference records, both individual and team, highlighted by the career goals and points marks held by. Additionally, of the 11 OVC Player of the Year awards handed out, five have gone to Panthers. The women of EIU soccer also excel in the classroom and have consistently been ranked in the Top 75 nationally in team GPA. ACADEMIC ACCOLADES Top Tier Team GPAs EIU WOMEN S SOCCER BY THE NUMBERS Above: 2008 grad Kellie Floyd & EIU President Dr. William Perry at the Student-Athlete Award Banquet. Far Right: 2008 grad Meghan Ryon, the program s first Academic All-America honoree, with her bevy of awards from the school year. Right: Laura Ridolfi, with her parents Leanne & Gene, and Alexis Miller at the 08 studentathlete award banquet. 4 NCAA Tournament Berths: 2001, 2002, 2003 & 2004 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Honorees Meghan Ryon Teri LaRoche 2006 Meghan Ryon 2002 Trisha Walter 2005 Rebecca Traen Sharyne Connell 2001 Trisha Walter Devon Bissell 2004 Trisha Walter 5 OVC Tournament Championships 5 OVC Player of the Year Recipients PANTHER NATION BLEEDS BLUE All-Time OVC Record All-Time OVC Tournament Record

Panther Soccer: The OVC s Premier Program HANG TIME

PANTHERS Individual Career Goals, Points, GW Goals &

LIESEN Goals, Points, GW Goals & Shots JESSICA GRACZYK

Points, Assists & Shots Top Left: Michelle Steinhaus,

the 2007 postseason team dinner in Charleston.

attendance for s May 2008 wedding in Quincy, Ill.

Teri LaRoche-Klobnak, former EIU head coach Tim Nowak,

5 Panther Soccer: The OVC s Premier Program HANG TIME OFF THE PITCH OUTSTANDING ALUMNI OVC RECORDs HELD BY PANTHERS Individual Career Goals, Points, GW Goals & Shots Devon Bissell Assists INDIVIDUAL SEASON BETH LIESEN Goals, Points, GW Goals & Shots JESSICA GRACZYK Save Percentage TEAM SEASON EASTERN ILLINOIS Goals, Points, Assists & Shots Top Left: Michelle Steinhaus, Ashley Slota, Lindsey Wilkening & Pam Melinauskas at the 2007 postseason team dinner in Charleston. Top Right: A number of former Panthers were in attendance for s May 2008 wedding in Quincy, Ill., including: (L-R) Teri Manser-McCabe, Kathleen Hayes, Teri LaRoche-Klobnak, former EIU head coach Tim Nowak, the bride -Lagunas, Lori Stutzman, Kim Garkie, Morgan Frericks & Audra Frericks. Left: Carol Griggs, Diane Markus, Kendra Williamson and Teri LaRoche at the 2007 alumni weekend in Charleston.

SOCCER STAFF. S e n i o r s. J u n i o r s. S o p h o m o r e s. F r e s h m e n. Panther Soccer: The OVC s Premier Program

SOCCER STAFF. S e n i o r s. J u n i o r s. S o p h o m o r e s. F r e s h m e n. Panther Soccer: The OVC s Premier Program Panther Soccer: The OVC s Premier Program PROGRAM INFO Conference...Ohio Valley (14th year) 2008 Overall Record... 3-14-2 2008 OVC Record... 3-4-1 (5th) OVC Tournament Finish... Lost in First Round Home