Tiger Athletics Preseason Recap

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Women’s Soccer

 

Tigers at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

0-0

Recap:

Broken up into three 30 minute sections, the Tigers and Engineers played to a scoreless draw in DePauw’s only exhibition game of the preseason. 

DePauw head coach Megan McCormick used the time to try out a few potential starting lineups. Her first group of starters played the opening 20 minutes of the game and then another potential lineup played the first 10 minutes of the third and final session. 

While the Tiger offense was unable to find the back of the net against Rose-Hulman - a problem that plagued the team last season - McCormick was encouraged by the number of chances her women were able to create. 

With the preseason being shortened by several days this year, the Tigers were limited to only one exhibition instead of their usual two. This means that the coaching staff will have only this tape to look at as the Tigers prepare to open up regular season play. 

 

Coach Analysis:

“Overall, I think it went really well. I thought our overall ability to control the pace of the game and to maintain possession of the ball. We created a lot of really dangerous chances to score and were unfortunately unable to find the back of the net.” -- DePauw head coach Megan McCormick. 

 

Players to Watch For

Riley Riordan, G, Junior: The transfer from Division I Purdue will compete for the Tigers’ starting job in net this season. The competition will likely feature Riordan and senior Sarah Cho, as both look to replace Emma Cooper in net for the Tigers this season. 

Megan Lear, M, Senior: Elizabeth Seewer was pretty much DePauw’s only offensive weapon from a year ago. With only one main option to finish in the final third, the Tigers struggled to find the back of the net, averaging less than a goal per game. McCormick hopes that another year under Lear’s belt will help get the DePauw offense going. 

 

Season Opener:

Sep. 1st, 5:30 P.M. at DePauw

The two teams have not met since 1997 when the Tigers rolled over the Panthers 8-1 en route to an NCAA tournament appearance. 

 

Men’s Soccer

 

Tigers at Illinois Wesleyan University

1-1

Recap:

According to head coach Brad Hauter, last Thursday night’s exhibition scrimmage at Illinois Wesleyan was a mixed bag.

At times, Hauter’s men looked like world-beaters but at others, the coach was pretty upset at his team’s play. 

The game was okay, probably evenly divided between us looking very good,” Hauter said. “Looking average and looking poor.” 

The Tigers fell behind early but junior Rhiley McIntire scored the equalizer for DePauw in the waning minutes of the game.

Like all exhibitions, the game was an opportunity for Hauter to get a look at how some of his younger players would hold up under some live game experience. On that front, the coach was very happy. 

“We had some guys step up and play exceptionally well and that was great to see,” Hauter said.

 

Coach Analysis:

Preseason was great and the team is very excited to kick the season off tomorrow.” -- Head Coach Brad Hauter.

 

Players to Watch For:

Alieu Musa, M, Senior: Musa has pretty much been a fixture in the DePauw starting lineup ever since his sophomore season in 2013. That year Musa put together his most potent offensive numbers, scoring five goals and adding three assists. Hauter and the Tigers will look for more of that this season, as the Tigers look to find a second scoring threat in addition to junior Julian Gonzalez. 

Mitch Reavis, M, Senior: As Reavis shares his last name his home stadium, it’s only logical to expect a big senior season from him. He’s started every game for the Tigers in the last two years and the senior captain could be one of the players Hauter looks to to replace the loss of Andy Morrison. 

Andrew Gold, D, First-Year: In his first action for the Tigers, the first-year saw extensive work. After playing the entire first half, Gold stayed in the game for the first part of the second half as well. His play at center back led to positive reviews from Hauter after his first live game experience. 

 

Season Opener:

Sep. 1, 5:00 P.M. at Hanover

Recent history has been on the Tigers’ side in this in-state battle against the Panthers. The Tigers have yet to allow a goal in the last three meetings between the two schools. In last year’s matchup, the Tigers went on to win easily by a final of 5-0. 

 

Women’s Field Hockey

 

Tigers at Lindenwood

4-3 (overtime)

Recap:

Despite the atmosphere of an exhibition match, the Tigers were faced with the challenge of heading into unfamiliar territory.  Lindenwood was a Division II program that DePauw hadn’t faced in recent years. 

Nevertheless, head coach Erika Dombkowksi thought the challenge was a perfect fit for the Tiger’s first match of the season.

“It’s great to go in blind and put your skills and mental toughness to the challenge,” explained Dombkowski. 

The Tigers got off to a slow start, falling behind by two before tying the game at three before the end of regulation. In overtime, the team went on to play a 7 vs. 7 sudden-death match which resulted in DePauw scoring the final goal to win the game 4-3. 

While Dombkowski sees the team as needing “fine tuning”, the exhibition allowed the freshmen to gain confidence as well as the returning core players to run a new offense, which should give the team plenty to work on throughout the season.

 

Coach Analysis: 

“This game was to figure out what works best and adjust to playing against another team. I think this (comeback) said a lot about our ambition, effort and drive, and set the foundation for how this season will go.”

- Head Coach Erika Dombkowski 

 

Players to Watch for:

  • Paige Berlinger, F, Sophomore- The forward impressed in her freshmen season, netting 11 goals along with three assists. Her performance throughout the season will be key, as the team lost their top two scorers in forwards Paige Henry (18) and Maggie Campbell (14) to graduation.
  • Sarah Guendert, G, Sophomore - Guendert also had a strong freshmen season, serving as the team’s leading goalie in saves (26) and save percentage (.765).  After losing Maggie Steele to graduation as well, Guendert will take over goal keeping responsibilities after only starting six of the 19 games last season.

Season Opener:

Sep. 5th, 10:00 A.M at Mary Washington

The last time DePauw played Mary Washington was in 2013, where the Tigers lost to the Eagles by a score of 3-1. Like DePauw, Mary Washington’s program has been strong in recent years, and should give the Tigers a run for their money.

 

Men’s Football

 

Tigers at Franklin College

(No score was kept)

 

The Tigers annual scrimmage against the Franklin Grizzlies was held in two parts. Both teams’ starters and second-stringers participated in a one-half long mini scrimmage against each other, while the freshman squads had an opportunity to participate in a 36-play scrimmage against each other. 

While no scores were held for either game, head coach Bill Lynch was very pleased with the Tiger’s overall performance this weekend, seeing the scrimmage(s) as “very beneficial for both teams.” 

Lynch was especially impressed with the freshmen class, whose weekly performance will be a constant storyline throughout the course of the season.

 

Coach Analysis:

“Our young guys did very well considering they have only been here for about two weeks.” – Head Coach Bill Lynch

 

Players to Watch For:

1. Matt Hunt, QB, Junior: Hunt started last season a step behind the rest of the team after being unable to play in the Franklin scrimmage due to nagging injuries.  Nevertheless, Hunt still put up strong numbers, throwing for 16 touchdowns and 1795 yards. Having played two complete seasons with the Tigers, expect Hunt to put up big numbers for the program once again.

2. Amen Galley, RB, Senior: Galley had a breakout season last year, rushing for nearly 700 yards and scoring six touch downs. With both Galley and sophomore running back Jack Gruber returning, the Tiger’s running game will be one of the strongest the program has seen in recent years.

Season Opener:

Sep. 12th, 7:30 P.M. at Earlham 

While DePauw has not played the Quakers in recent years, the matchup should be an easy one for the Tigers, as Earlham’s program has gone a combined 2-18 in the past two seasons.

 

Tigers at Milliken, Trinity

2-0

Recap:

Three scrimmages into the season, the Tigers are starting out their season strong—not only by winning two of the three contests, but by the strength they saw in some new players. 

Returning from Brazil, senior Faith Rowles and junior Elisabeth Wilson were back on the court together and key in the wins against Trinity University and Milliken’s JV team.  

“The first scrimmage always starts with shaking the rust off and getting back into our groove,” said sophomore Haley Bitzer, “I’m optimistic for what our team is capable of.” 

The team wants to push themselves past their peak 19th rating from last year, which is hard work for the team. “Practice has been super tough but fun,” said Wilson. “We want to be ready for any situation or other team that comes our way.”

 

Player Analysis:

“For this season, I would say our main goal is to prove ourselves as a huge national competitor and to seriously challenge some of the teams that finished at a higher rank last year.” – Sophomore Haley Bitzer 

 

Freshman Players to Watch For:

Suzanne Peters

Claire Emmick

Quinci Miller

 

Season Opener:

Sep. 1st, 5:30 P.M. at DePauw

Vs. Franklin, who was 17-14 last year