Benning served as the Central Region chair since 2006 and prior to that was on the Regional Advisory Committee from 2001-04. She takes the place of Jeff Parker of Stevens Institute of Technology, who has rotated off the committee.

Benning has been the Pioneers' head coach for 10 seasons. Under her direction, Grinnell has compiled an impressive 112-49-10 record and qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 1999, 2004, 2005, and 2006. Benning holds a 67-14-5 mark in Midwest Conference play, while guiding the Pioneers to four Midwest Conference titles (1999, 2003, 2005, and 2006).

Becca Mackenzie '09 was named the Grinnell College women's soccer team's most valuable player for the 2007 campaign at the squad's recent postseason banquet.

Mackenzie was also named most valuable defender and co-captain for next season along with Gabi Maldonaldo-Bell '09. Other awards went to Miki Nakamura '10 (most valuable forward), Hannah Sayle '08 (most valuable midfielder), Ingrid Wennerberg '11 (most improved player within season), Kim Durinick '09 (most improved player from 2006) and Ellie Deal '11 and Laura McElroy '11 (rookies of the year).

Also recognized were first-team All-Midwest Conference performers Mackenzie, Nakamura and Sayle, along with second-team selection Deal. Academic All-MWC picks included Julie Ault '08, Brenna Curley '09, Durinick, Frances Leslie '10, Amanda Lewis '08, Mackenzie, Sayle and Sofia Skraba '08.

The team, coached by Heather Benning, finished with a 10-9 overall mark and made another appearance in the MWC Tournament.

The Grinnell College men's and women's soccer squads received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America College Team Academic Awards for 2007.

A total of 406 teams earned the honor, 111 on the men's side and 295 women's squads. Grinnell is one of only 71 schools to have both its men's and women's teams honored. To earn the award, a team's grade point average had to be 3.0 or higher. Grinnell's women's team, coached by Heather Benning, had a combined GPA of 3.39 and Brian Jaworski's men's team a 3.11.

A trio of Grinnell College women's soccer players have been named to the All-Midwest Conference first team.

Rebecca Mackenzie '09 (upper left) and Miki Nakamura '10 (upper right) both repeated as first-team picks and were joined on the 10-player elite squad by teammate Hannah Sayle '08 (lower left).

Mackenzie, of St. Paul, Minn., was a key defender for the Pioneers as they finished with a solid 6-3 mark in league play. She was sixth on the team in points with 11, including five assists and three goals.

Nakamura, of Honolulu, Hawaii, ranked among the MWC leaders in a handful of categories despite missing a portion of the season due to injury. She led the team in goals (14, which ranked second in the league) and points (32, which was third-best in the MWC).

Sayle, of Memphis, Tenn., put up a strong showing this season by scoring 10 points. That total included four goals and two assists. The Pioneers had one second-team selection, Ellie Deal '11 (lower right) of Seattle, Wash. Deal recorded an assist this season from her defender spot.

Jason Bretzmann of Carroll College was named the MWC Coach of the Year, while Players of the Year were St. Norbert College's Jessica Schadrie (offensive) and Carroll's Kari Schelk (defensive).
All-Conference Release

Grinnell College's women's soccer team lost a narrow 2-1 decision to Carroll College in the Midwest Conference Tournament semifinals Saturday afternoon in Waukesha, Wis.

Carroll, the top seed, took a 2-0 halftime lead when Hillary Reichardt scored at the 10:23 mark on an assist by Cody Callender and then Callender scored unassisted at the 40:20 mark. Grinnell got its goal at the 59:17 mark when Katherine Ni '09 scored unassisted. It was her eighth goal of the year.

Carroll held a 15-14 edge in shots. Miki Nakamura '10 and Becca Mackenzie '09 each had four shots for Grinnell, while Stoker added three.Laura McElroy '11 worked the entire game at keeper for Grinell, coming up with seven saves.

Carroll, 16-2-1 overall, will play third-seeded Lake Forest College in the championship contest Sunday. Lake Forest beat second-seeded St. Norbert College in the semifinals. Grinnell fell to 10-9-1 overall.

The Grinnell College women's soccer team finished the 2007 regular-season slate with a 1-0 setback Sunday afternoon at St. Norbert College.

The Pioneers aren't close to being done with the season, though, as they'll compete in next weekend's Midwest Conference Tournament at Carroll College. Grinnell is the fourth seed and will face the top-seeded hosts Saturday. The other match will pit second-seeded St. Norbert College against third-seeded Lake Forest College.

St. Norbert scored its goal Sunday at the 35:25 mark when Jessica Schadrie got a pass in the box from Ann Maki and put the ball in the back of the net.

Both teams had 10 shots, with Hannah Sayle '08 and Miki Nakamura '10 taking two each for Grinnell. Keeper Laura McElroy '11 had four saves for the Pioneers, while St. Norbert keeper Mallory Ford had five saves in earning the shutout.

Grinnell finished MWC play at 6-3 and is 10-8 overall, while St. Norbert is 7-1-1 in the MWC and 12-4-1 overall.

The Stoker twins '09 got the perfect birthday gifts Saturday as they propelled the Grinnell College women's soccer team to a 2-1, double-overtime victory at Lawrence University Saturday.

Amelia Stoker scored in the second half and Sydney Stoker had the overtime goal on the very day the women were celebrating their 21st birthdays. The victory pushed Grinnell to 6-2-0 in the Midwest Conference and assured the Pioneers a spot in the league's postseason tournament. Grinnell is 10-7-0 overall, while Lawrence fell to 2-5-1 in the MWC and 4-10-1 in all contests.

Annie Kaiser of Lawrence opened the scoring with a goal at the 39:06 mark of the first half off an assist by Pam Golemgeski. But Amelia Stoker found the back of the net just a little bit later, at the 42:47 mark, on an assist from Sofia Skraba '08 to make it 1-all at the half.

The second half was a defensive, scoreless battle as was the first overtime. In the second overtime, at the 107:27 mark, Sydney Stoker scored on an assist from her sister for the win. The Stokers each have five goals on the season.

Grinnell outshot Lawrence 31-7, with Miki Nakamura '10 taking seven shots for Grinnell and Amelia Stoker and Hannah Sayle '08 with five each. Grinnell's Laura McElroy '11 worked the entire game at keeper, making three saves.

The Pioneers finish off the regular season at 11 a.m. Sunday with a contest at St. Norbert College. The MWC Tournament is the following Saturday and Sunday.

The Grinnell College women's soccer team will attempt to sew up a spot in the Midwest Conference Tournament this weekend when it plays games at Lawrence University on Saturday and St. Norbert College on Sunday. Both contests start at 11 a.m.

Grinnell is 9-7-0 after falling 2-0 in a non-conference test Tuesday against Iowa Conference leader Loras College. The Pioneers are 5-2-0 in the league, good for fourth place and just one point behind St. Norbert.

Grinnell will be hoping for the return of leading scorer Miki Nakamura '10, who has sat out recently due to injury. She has 14 goals and four assists for 32 points. Katherine Ni '09 has seven goals and two assists for 16 points, while Amelia Stoker '09 and Sydney Stoker '09 each have four goals and seven assists for 15 points. Keeper Laura McElroy '11 has a 1.36 goals against average and 39 saves.

Lawrence enters Saturday's game at 2-4-1 in the league and 4-9-1 overall. In league play, the Vikings have beaten Ripon (7-1) and Illinois College (6-0) while losing to Beloit (2-1), Lake Forest (3-1), Carroll (4-0) and St. Norbert (3-1). They have also tied Monmouth (1-1). Their offensive leader is Sarah Ehlinger, who has nine goals and an assist for 19 points. Keeper Lindsay Allen has a 2.51 goals against average and 105 saves.

St. Norbert enters the weekend at 5-1-1 in the conference and 10-4-1 in all contests. The Green Knights have league wins over Lake Forest (2-0), Beloit (2-1), Illinois College (4-0), Ripon (5-1) and Lawrence (3-1). They've tied Monmouth (3-3) and lost to Carroll (4-2). Jessica Schadrie has 15 goals and five assists on the year for 35 points, while Jenni Jacobsen has 10 goals. Ann Maki has added eight goals and 14 assists for 30 points. Keeper Mallory Ford owns a 1.94 goals against average with 88 saves.

The conference tournament, which involves the top four finishers in league play, opens Nov. 3 with two semifinals. The title contest is slated for Nov. 4.

Iowa Conference leader Loras College worked past the Grinnell College women's soccer team 2-0 in the Pioneers' regular-season home finale during a non-conference affair Tuesday afternoon.

Loras, 12-6-0 overall and unbeaten in its league, opened the scoring 10 minutes, 55 seconds into the game when Katie Ryan found the back of the net on Morgan Spencer's assist. The Duhawks added an insurance score in the second half when Holly Wilson assisted Alex Clasen's goal at the 68:06 mark.

Loras outshot Grinnell 14-6 and had a 6-4 edge in shots on goal. Kelly Brouse '09 and Kim Durinick '09 had two shots apiece for the 9-7-0 Pioneers, while Becca Mackenzie '09 and Frances Leslie '10 each had one.

Grinnell keeper Laura McElroy '11 recorded four saves while working the whole game. Duhawk keeper Torey Murray also had four saves.

Grinnell closes out the regular season this coming weekend with Midwest Conference games at Lawrence University on Saturday and St. Norbert College on Sunday. Both are at 11 a.m.

The Grinnell College women's soccer team worked past Cornell College 1-0 during a steady rain and windy conditions Thursday afternoon. It was Grinnell's second 1-0 victory in a row.

After a scoreless first half, Kim Durinick '09 scored on a header for the winners at the 62:23 mark off an assist by Flor Revolorio '08. It was Durinick's sixth goal of the year and Revolorio's third assist as the winners improved to 9-6-0 on the season. Cornell dipped to 7-5-1.

Keeper Laura McElroy '11 went the distance for Grinnell and had two saves while working the shutout, her third of the season Grinnell outshot the hosts 15-3, with Lara Meyer '11 and Revolorio having three shots each and Durinick and Frances Leslie '10 coming up with two each.

"We dominated play and possession of the ball," said Pioneers' coach Heather Benning.

The Pioneers remain out of conference play early next week as Loras College comes to town Tuesday for a 3 p.m. game.

Kim Durinick '09 had the lone goal of the contest, scoring unassisted just 3:28 in. Others getting off shots for the Pioneers were Katherine Ni '09, Gabi Maldonaldo-Bell '09, Hannah Sayle '08, Sydney Stoker '09, Frances Leslie '10 and Flor Revolorio '08. Keeper Laura McElroy '11 posted the shutout for the Pioneers, who improved to 8-6-0 and bounced back from Saturday's Midwest Conference setback to Lake Forest College. North Park dipped to 0-13-2.

Grinnell plays another non-conference contest this week, traveling to Mount Vernon on Thursday to face Cornell College. Game time is 4 p.m.

Lake Forest College clipped the Grinnell College women's soccer team by a 1-0 score Saturday in Midwest Conference play.

Lake Forest scored the lone goal of the game at the 10:55 mark when Emily Sadler found the back of the net on assists from Laura Wilson and Bianca Greene.

Lake Forest, 4-1-0 in the MWC and 7-5-1 overall, outshot Grinnell by an 11-8 margin. The Pioneers, 5-2-0 in the MWC and 7-6-0 overall, were playing without leading scorer Miki Nakamura '10, who sat out with an injury. Of Grinnell's shots, Katherine Ni '09 took four and Sydney Stoker '09 three. Grinnell keeper Laura McElroy '11 had three saves during the contest.

Grinnell's women step out of league play Sunday with a 1 p.m. game at North Park University. After that, the teams next action is another non-league test at Cornell College at Mount Vernon. Game time is 4 p.m.

The Grinnell College women's soccer team bounced back from its first Midwest Conference loss by ripping Ripon College 10-1 here Sunday.

Kim Durinick '09 recorded a hat track and Miki Nakamura '10 added two goals as the Pioneers improved to 5-1-0 in the league and 7-5-0 overall. Ripon fell to 1-5-0 in the MWC and 3-9-0 in all games.

Katherine Ni '09 opened the scoring at the 6:01 mark as she took a cross from Julie Ault '08 inside the box and put the ball in the back of the net. Durinick added a goal at 32:33 on a header off of an assist by Sydney Stoker '09. Stoker then got into the scoring act, scoring from close range on an assist by Amelia Stoker '09 at 40:47. Durinick completed the first-half scoring, tallying a goal from the left side of the goal on Sydney Stoker's assist at 43:18 to make it 4-0.

Nakamura scored the fifth and sixth goals for Grinnell at 55:05 and 62:08, respectively. Her first goal, which was unassisted, came on a breakaway when she beat the keeper on a one-on-one chance. She then tallied on an angle shot from the right side of the goal as the ball sailed over the keeper's head. Amelia Stoker had the assist.

Ripon then scored a goal as a hard rain began pouring. Frances Leslie '10 scored for Grinnell at 71:49 when she took a cross from Sydney Stoker and tapped it in the left side of the net. Durinick scored her third goal of the game when the ball bounced in front of the net and she converted at 72:30. Assists were by Sydney Stoker and Leslie. Sydney Stoker scored at 74:10 when she beat her defender on a one-and-one shot. Leslie had the assist. Becca Mackenzie '09 completed the scoring when she took a pass from Ault at 82:39 and made it 10-1.

Laura McElroy '11 and Ingrid Wennerberg '11 each worked a half at keeper for Grinnell. Wennerberg had one save. Grinnell outshot Ripon 44-4, including a 21-2 edge in shots on goal. Durinick had eight shots, Nakamura added six and Mackenzie had five.

Grinnell's next action is this coming Saturday and Sunday with games at Lake Forest and North Park, respectively.

Carroll College came back from a two-goal deficit to clip the Grinnell College women's soccer team 3-2 in a battle of teams unbeaten in Midwest Conference play here Saturday afternoon.

Grinnell dominated the early portion of the game, sticking in two goals within the first 11 minutes, 25 seconds. Miki Nakamura '10 opened the early assault when she scored on a header after a free kick from near midfield by Becca Mackenzie '09 at the 9:40 mark. It was Nakamura's team-leading 12th goal of the year. Nakamura had a hand in the next goal, as well, when she crossed the ball to Katherine Ni '09, who found the back of the net for her sixth goal of the season.

Carroll stormed back, though, with goals by Dani Myszewski and Kendell Uttech to tie the game at 2-all by halftime. Myszewski's goal, which was assisted by Trisha Konkol, came at the 31:56 mark and Uttech's, which was assisted by Kari Scheelk, came at 38:28.

Both teams had their chances in the second half. Grinnell keeper Laura McElroy '11 had a nice diving save on a shot by Uttech, while Carroll's Sarah McLaughlin had an equally impressive stop on a Grinnell penalty kick. Uttech scored what proved to be the winning goal at the 75:10 mark on Kylie Ringelstetter's assist.

Grinnell held a 16-15 edge in shots, with Katherine Ni '09 taking five of those and Mackenzie four. The Pioneers also had a 10-7 margin in shots on goal.

McElroy had four saves for Grinnell while McLaughlin, who entered the game 16 minutes in, had eight saves without giving up a goal.

Carroll improved to 4-0-0 in the league and 8-2-0 overall, while Grinnell - which had a 15-game MWC win streak halted - is 4-1-0 and 6-5-0 overall.

The Pioneers play their final league home game Sunday when Ripon College visits for an 11 a.m. meeting. Grinnell's next action after that is the following Saturday and Sunday with games at Lake Forest and North Park, respectively.

One week after having the Midwest Conference's Offensive Performer of the Week, the Grinnell College women's soccer team now has the Defensive Performer of the Week.

Becca Mackenzie '09 played a key role in two Grinnell shutouts over the weekend. She helped the Pioneers limit Illinois College and Knox to one shot apiece in victories of 9-0 and 12-0, respectively. She also tallied a goal against Illinois College and had three assists against Knox. On top of that, Mackenzie worked just over 10 minutes at keeper in the win over Illinois College.

The offensive fireworks continued for the Grinnell College women's soccer team Sunday as the Pioneers etched their name in the record books.

Grinnell broke a school record and tied a Midwest Conference record with its 78-shot onslaught in a 12-0 victory over Knox College here Sunday afternoon. That breaks the previous Pioneer best of 70, established in 2005 against Illinois College. It also tied Monmouth for best in conference history. The Fighting Scots did that in 2005, as well. The win came a day after Grinnell rolled past Illinois College 9-0. The victory keeps Grinnell perfect in the Midwest Conference at 4-0-0 while improving to 6-4-0 overall. Knox dipped to 0-3-0 in league play and 0-8-1 in all games.

Amelia Stoker '09 turned in two goals and two assists to spark the Pioneers, while Miki Nakamura '10 - who had three goals Saturday - and Syndey Stoker '09 had two goals each.

Grinnell shot out to a 5-0 halftime lead against the Prairie Fire, with Nakamura scoring twice in the first 45 minutes. She opened the scoring just 1 minute, 49 seconds into the contest when Gabi Maldonaldo-Bell '09 sent in a pass from the left side and Nakamura headed it into the goal.

Amelia Stoker made it 2-0 at the 8:03 mark when she scored on a free kick just outside the box on the left side. It became 3-0 at the 11:29 mark when Hannah Sayle '08 sent a free kick to Becca Mackenzie '09, who then worked the ball to Nakamura who scored her second goal of the game.

The fourth goal was also a work of beauty, beginning with a corner kick from Julie Ault '08 to Amelia Stoker. Stoker then got the ball to Katherine Ni '09, who put it away for a 4-0 lead at the 17:49 mark. Sayle made it 5-0 at the 27:43 mark when she scored in front of the goal thanks to assists from Amelia and Sydney Stoker.

Maldonaldo-Bell opened the scoring in the second half when she dribbled the ball straight toward the goal and beat the keeper on a one-and-one opportunity at the 51:28 mark.

Lauren Cantley '11 added another goal at the 59:42 mark when she fielded a pass from Sayle and fired a shot from just inside the box that sailed by the keeper.

Sydney Stoker followed with two quick goals, scoring unassisted from the right side at the 78:30 mark and heading one in just 29 seconds later on assists from Ni and Flor Revolorio '08.

Revolorio followed with a goal not long after than on assists from Ni and Dylan O'Donoghue '11, making it 10-0 at the 80:11 mark.

Amelia Stoker got Grinnell to 11-0 when she scored on an assist from Mackenzie at 82:49 and Mackenzie helped make it an even dozen when she fed Amanda Lewis '08 for another goal at 85:02.

Laura McElroy '11 and Ingrid Wennerberg '11 shared keeper duties. McElroy worked 29:28 and Wennerberg the rest of the game. Neither had saves as Grinnell held a 78-1 edge in shots and 28-0 margin in shots on goal.

Grinnell has a big game coming up when Carroll College, also unbeaten in the MWC, visits next Saturday at 11 a.m. The Pioneers remain on the home field the following day with an 11 a.m. contest against Ripon College. After that, the Pioneers close out the regular season with five of six games on the road.

Miki Nakamura '10, last week's Midwest Conference Offensive Performer of the Week, recorded a hat track as the Grinnell College women's soccer team coasted to a 9-0 home victory over Illinois College Saturday.

Six other women got into the scoring act to aid Nakamura's three-goal effort and help the Pioneers improve to 3-0 in the league and 5-4-0 overall. The Lady Blues dipped to 0-2-0 and 2-7-1. Nakamura now has nine goals and three assists on the year.

The statistics told the whole story as Grinnell outshot Illinois College 40-1 and held a 23-1 edge in shots on goal while breaking out to a 7-0 halftime lead.

Katherine Ni '09 opened the scoring for Grinnell just 10 minutes, 4 seconds into the game when she found the back of the net on assists by Nakamura and Amelia Stoker '09. Hannah Sayle '08 joined the scoring act at the 17:03 mark with the aid of another assist by Stoker, and Nakamura scored the first of her three consecutive goals a short time later at the 18:03 mark. Sofia Skraba '08 had the assist as she began the play with a corner kick that was headed in by Nakamura.

Nakamura continued the onslaught with unassisted scores at the 21:29 and 22:37 marks before Flor Revolorio '08 added a goal on an assist by Liz Dreier '11 at the 29:39 mark, making it 6-0. Revolorio returned the favor at the 43:19 mark as she and Julie Ault '08 had an assist on Dreier's goal. In the second half, Frances Leslie '10 had an unassisted goal at the 64:53 mark and Becca Mackenzie '09 wound up the scoring at the 67:38 mark on another unassisted goal.

Laura McElroy '11 got the win at keeper, recording one save in 79:32 of work. Mackenzie finished off the game at goal.

The Pioneers stay at home Sunday with an 11 a.m. contest against Knox College. Grinnell continues the home trend next weekend with a Saturday contest against Carroll College and Sunday game against Ripon College.

Miki Nakamura '10 has been named the Midwest Conference Women's Soccer Offensive Performer of the Week.

Nakamura, from Honolulu, Hawaii, came up big in the Pioneers' last two games as they started league play with consecutive wins. In a 3-1 victory over Monmouth College last Saturday, she recorded a goal as well as an assist. She followed that up with a two-goal performance the following day in a 5-0 victory at Beloit College.

For the season, Nakamura has six goals and two assists to help the Pioneers to a 4-4-0 overall mark. Her efforts have helped Grinnell win 13 consecutive league wins.

Miki Nakamura '10 scored two goals and Sofia Skraba '08 was credited with a pair of assists as the Grinnell College women's soccer team rolled past Beloit College 5-0 in Midwest Conference action Sunday afternoon.

Nakamura, who is up to six goals in eight games this season, scored unassisted just 11 minutes into the game. She added another goal a short time later, a shot that came at the 13:03 mark on an assist by Gabi Maldonaldo-Bell '09. The winners kept it up from there, as Kelly Brouse '09 scored on an assist from Skraba at the 21:14 mark to make it 3-0 at halftime.

In the second half, Kim Durinick '09 scored on assists from Skraba and Ellie Deal '11 at the 65:16 mark and Amelia Stoker '09 added an unassisted goal at the 82:00 mark to complete the 5-0 victory. Stoker now has two goals on the season, while Brouse and Durinick each scored for the first time.

Keepers Laura McElroy '11 and Ingrid Wennerberg '11 combined for the shutout, each working a half. McElroy had three saves and Wennerberg one as the Pioneers improved to 4-4-0 overall and 2-0 in the league. Beloit fell to 2-5-1 overall and 2-2 in the league.

Grinnell held a 25-8 edge in shots, with Nakamura coming up with five shots and Katherine Ni '09 four. The Pioneers also had a 12-4 edge in shots on goal.

Grinnell returns to the home field next Saturday and Sunday with a pair of home contests. The Pioneers face Illinois College on Saturday and Knox College on Sunday. Both games are at 11 a.m.

"We're very pleased with our win today," said Grinnell coach Heather Benning. "The team did a good job of maintaining its focus, something we'll need to continue to do as we head into next weekend's home games."

Grinnell now enters a stretch of four consecutive home games, starting next Saturday and Sunday with contests against Illinois College and Knox College. Both are slated for 11 a.m.

The Grinnell College women's soccer team scored right off the bat and cruised from there to win its Midwest Conference opener 3-1 over Monmouth College Saturday afternoon in Grinnell.

The Pioneers, 3-4 overall, broke into the scoring column just 7 minute, 9 seconds into the contest when Hannah Sayle '08 scored on an assist by Miki Nakamura '10. Nakamura passed the ball from the outside into Sayle, who took a shot from 25 yards out and got her second goal of the year.

The Pioneers kept it going with another goal at the 28:29 mark as Nakamura scored unassisted, sliding behind the last Monmouth defender and placing the ball in the top right corner of the net for her team-leading fourth goal of the year.

Leading 2-0 at intermission, Grinnell added another goal at the 57:36 mark when Katherine Ni '09 scored on an assist by Amelia Stoker '09. On the play, Stoker crossed the ball into Ni in the box and Ni then scored to the left of the keeper for her third goal of the season.

Lauren Vana prevented the shutout for Monmouth, 3-4-1 overall and 1-1 in the league, when she scored at the 75:57 mark.

Grinnell held a 14-12 edge in shots, with Sayle having five of those shots. The Pioneers also had an 8-5 edge in shots on goal.

Laura McElroy '11 worked the first 56:50 at goal for the Pioneers and had three saves. Ingrid Wennerberg '11 added a save as she finished off the game.

"We had some very creative play in the attack, and it was great to see that convert into three goals," said coach Heather Benning.

The Pioneers' busy weekend continues as they travel to Beloit College for an 11 a.m. contest Sunday. Grinnell then enters a stretch of four consecutive home games, starting next Saturday and Sunday with contests against Illinois College and Knox College. Both are slated for 11 a.m.

Despite out shooting Simpson College 31-9, the Grinnell College women's soccer team dropped a 3-1 decision Wednesday at home.

Grinnell's lone score came at the 31:41 mark of the game when Miki Nakamura '10 scored her team-leading third goal of the year. The goal came about when Becca Mackenzie '09 took a free kick, which was headed into the net by Nakamura to tie the contest at 1-all.

Simpson opened the scoring at the 29:35 mark of the contest when Kellie Whitney scored unassisted. After Nakamura tied it, the Storm stormed right back to take a 2-1 lead on Kristin Granath's unassisted goal. Much of the second half was scoreless until Erin Vinnedge's unassisted goal at the 70:13 mark made it 3-1.

Simpson goal keeper Whitney Franker recorded 12 saves on the night, while Laura McElroy '11 of Grinnell had one save. For the game, Grinnell had a 13-4 edge in shots on goal.

Both teams are now 2-4 on the season. Grinnell opens Midwest Conference play at home Saturday against Monmouth College. Game time is 1 p.m.

Carleton College grabbed a 3-0 halftime lead on its way to a 3-1 victory over the Grinnell College women's soccer team in a non-conference contest Sunday.

Melley Turner scored the first two goals for 4-2 Carleton, the first at the 12:04 mark and the second at the 15:33 mark on Clare O'Connor's assist. Elizabeth Merrill added a goal at the 27:27 mark on a corner kick.

Grinnell, 2-3 overall, countered with a corner kick goal in the second half as Lauren Cantley '11 recorded her first score of the year when she found the back of the net at the 54:20 mark.

Carleton keeper Yusi He recorded five saves, while Laura McElroy '11 of Grinnell had nine saves. For the game, Carleton fired 17 shots at the Pioneers and Grinnell responded with seven shots. Both Kim Durinick '09 and Cantley had two shots apiece for the Pioneers.

The Pioneers return home for a Wednesday non-conference contest against Simpson College. Game time is 5:30 p.m. After that it's to Midwest Conference play as Grinnell hosts Monmouth College at 1 p.m. Saturday and then plays at Beloit College in an 11 a.m. affair the following day.

Bryn Mawr, Penn. - A four-goal explosion in the first half propelled the Grinnell College women's soccer team to a 5-0 victory over Bryn Mawr of Pennsylvania on Sunday.

The scoring workload was balanced for the 2-2 Pioneers as five different players found the back of the net.

Miki Nakamura '10 opened the scoring with her second goal of the year just 12 minutes, 21 seconds into the game. The goal was unassisted.

Not even a minute later, Katherine Ni '09 also scored her second goal of the year, and it too was unassisted. Her score came 13:18 into the contest.

Becca Mackenzie '09 scored 32:01 into the game on a corner kick, with Lara Meyer '11 and Sydney Stoker '09 being credited with assists.

The offense continued not much later, as Frances Leslie '10 scored on another corner kick 34:53 into the contest on Stoker's second assist of the game.

In the second half, 61:39 into the contest, Hannah Sayle '08 closed out the scoring on an unassisted goal.

Laura McElroy '11 and Ingrid Wennerberg '11 each worked a half at goal keeper and to perfection. Wennerberg had a pair of saves as the duo combined on the shutout.

Grinnell outshot Bryn Mawr by a 23-2 margin.

"It feels great to get a win before we return to Iowa," said Grinnell coach Heather Benning, whose squad also played a game Friday in Pennsylvania. "It should give us confidence for a tough match against Carleton.

That contest will be Sept. 16 at Carleton, Minn.

The Pioneers' next home contest is Sept. 19 against Simpson College. Game time is 5:30 p.m.

Swarthmore, Penn. - Swarthmore College recorded a 3-0 victory over the Grinnell women's soccer team Friday night in the first of two Pioneer contests to be played in Pennsylvania.

Megan Colombo scored the first two goals for the hosts, the second on an assist by Monica Cody.

Amy Vachal added another goal on Hannah Purcy's assist to make it 3-0 in favor of Swarthmore at halftime.

Swarthmore held a 20-9 edge in shots.

Grinnell goal keeper Laura McElroy '11 recorded five saves on the night, while Hannah Sayle '08 was credited with three shots against Swarthmore goal keeper Lauren Walker.

Others credited with shots for Grinnell were Amelia Stoker '09, Ellie Deal '11, Kim Durinick '09, Lara Meyer '11, Lauren Cantley '11 and Julie Ault '08.

"We played much better in the second half," said Pioneers' coach Heather Benning. "We just need to work on putting a full 90 minutes together, and I'm confident that will happen within the next game or two. Laura McElroy had some great saves for us."

The Pioneers, 1-2, stay in Pennsylvania through the weekend as they play at Bryn Mawr Sunday.

Grinnell then has a week off before playing Sept. 16 at Carleton, Minn.

The Pioneers' next home contest is Sept. 19 against Simpson College. Game time is 5:30 p.m.

The Grinnell College women's soccer team dropped a 3-1 decision to Gustavus Adolphus Saturday in Grinnell.

The Gusties shot out to a 2-0 lead in the first half on goals by Callie Christensen and Christy Tupy.

They added a goal in the second period.

Grinnell got a late goal from Amelia Stoker '09, who scored in the 86th minute.

Laura McElroy '11 and Ingrid Wennerberg '11 shared goal keeper duties for the Pioneers, who outshot their foes 8-7.

Grinnell makes a trip to Swarthmore later next week

A pair of goals in the waning minutes broke a scoreless tie and sparked the Grinnell women's soccer team to a 2-0 win over Central College in the season opener for both teams Friday.

Katherine Ni '09 scored on an assist from Miki Nakamura '10 in the 85th minute and Nakamura scored unassisted a mere four minutes later.

Keeper Laura McElroy '11 had a shutout for the Pioneers while recording three saves. Grinnell outshot Central by a 33-4 margin and had 15 shots on goal compared to Central's three.

The Pioneers are back in action again today when Gustavus Adolphus visits. Game time is 1 p.m.

The Grinnell College women's soccer team enters the 2007 campaign after winning its ninth Midwest Conference Championship and making its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance. After a season in which the Pioneers were ranked as high as fifth in the Central Region and posted the best win-loss percentage in school history (15-3-1), they have their sights set high.

"The players and I have discussed our aspirations for the coming season, and we are going to challenge ourselves," Head Coach Heather Benning said. "Being in the NCAA Tournament last year, and at a four-team site for the first time, was an excellent opportunity for us to see the level of play among the strongest programs in our region. Honestly, that experience is extremely significant in our minds as we look forward to this fall."

The team returns all but two starters from last season, and will rely on a strong class of first-years to increase the level of play. "We have a number of incoming players arriving from established club and high school programs around the country," said Benning. "Their ability to integrate into the team and challenge the returnees will be critical to achieving our goals."

Returning to lead the Pioneer defense is NSCAA First-Team All-Region central defender Rebecca Mackenzie '09. Mackenzie and teammates Kelly Brouse '09, Lee Paulson '09, and Brenna Curley '09 contributed to a backline that posted 14 shutouts (ranking it No. 5 in the country) and allowed just seven goals, with a goals-against-average of 0.366 (good for a No. 7 national ranking). Also returning on the backline is Julieta Garcia-Vicente '10, joined by incoming player Ellie Deal '11.

Though no longer is a part of the team's defensive unit, four-time All-Midwest Conference goalkeeper Liz Carrier '07 will assume assistant coaching duties this fall. Carrier's primary responsibility will be to ensure that incoming goalkeepers Laura McElroy '11 and Ingrid Wennerberg '11 are prepared to defend the net.

The Pioneer midfield returns five players who saw action in all 19 games last season. Second-Team All-MWC selections Sofia Skraba '08 and Amelia Stoker '09, along with Julie Ault '08, Gabi Maldonado-Bell '09, and Hannah Sayle '08 combined for 16 goals and 22 assists during the 2006 campaign. Kim Durinick '09 and Amanda Lewis '08 will also compete for time in the midfield.

The squad's two top goal scorers return to the forward line, which will be without First-Team All-MWC player Kate Diedrick '07 who ended her career on Grinnell's top 10 list in goals, assists, and points. Forwards Miki Nakamura '10 and Katherine Ni '09 led the team with 23 points each last year. Nakamura, a First-Team All-MWC honoree and Rookie of the Year selection, chipped in nine goals and assisted on seven others, while Ni tallied eight goals and seven assists. Frances Leslie '10, who contributed four goals and dished out three assists, will be expected to increase her role, as will Flor Revolorio '08.

In what Benning calls "one of her strongest recruiting classes in recent years," there are players with the experience to challenge for starting positions and receive quality minutes early in their careers. Transfer student Sydney Stoker '09 joins the roster along with first-years Lauren Cantley '11, Liz Dreier '11, Lara Meyer '11, Dylan O'Donoghue '11, and Maia Olsen '11, all of whom are expected to contribute to the Pioneer midfield and offensive lines.

-

Carroll College received the remaining three first-place votes and was the second overall pick.

MIDWEST CONFERENCE PRESEASON SOCCER POLL
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1, Grinnell (7); 2, Carroll (3); 3, St. Norbert; 4, Lake Forest; 5, Monmouth; 6, Beloit; 7, Lawrence; 8, Ripon; 9, Illinois College; 10, Knox.