Baker Soccer “A new Direction” The Baker University Men’s Soccer program is moving in a new direction. For the first time ever, the program will be run by a player it has produced. Nate Houser (’94) has been named the Director of Soccer for the University. This new job includes being the head coach for both the Men’s and Women’s programs. Coach Houser has spent the last five years as the head women’s coach. Under Houser the women’s program has grown from a squad of 15 players to one of 35, which includes a JV team. Last years women’s team made the Region V playoffs and received top 25 votes under Houser’s’ direction. The Women’s team has also produced 2 All Americans and 5 first team All Heart of America performers in the last three years. Coach Houser is excited to continue this type of success with a men’s program that has had 26 NAIA All Americans and 40All-Region players in it’s history.
After graduating from Baker, Coach Houser played professionally for 12 years in both the MISL and the A-League. During this time he entered the coaching profession at the youth level and attained his USSF B license. Upon his retirement from playing in 2005 he completed his USSF A license course. Houser’s time spent as an ODP Age Group Director, Director of Coaching and the time spent building the Women’s program has prepared him for this great challenge.
The season ahead looks to be a very exciting one as the Men and Women both look to move forward from the playoff appearances they made last year. A new alumni group has also jumped on board to support the Wildcats. Both teams are looking at a difficult non conference schedule as the men face off against defending National Champion Azusa Pacific, and the women face perennial top 10 Point Loma Nazarene at Laguna Beach High School early next season. These games will give both programs an early glimpse of where they rank nationally.
To Europe and back, women's season in review
The Wildcats started off their season with an adventure to Munich, Germany, home of the great European soccer power Bayern Munich, and the 1972 Olympics. The setting opened the team’s eyes to everything that the game has to offer. Traveling in the Austrian Alps, the girls were able to see some of the most beautiful sights in the world. In competitions on the trip the Lady Cats went 1-1-1, scoring 11 goals. To read more and view all conference honorees click here.
Cats fight back
On Wednsday the Cat's avenged a loss form last year with a 5-0 over Avila. Limping in at the end of last season the Cat's dropped a 2-1 battle at Avila, the Cat's arrived this year with something to prove. Christine Janssens (pictured) led the way with 3 goals. Rachel Shepard and Janssens added a goal each. On Friday at Central Methodist the Cats again got a Goal from Janssens, this time with Haley Oborny adding the other talley. The Lady Cats hit the Crossbar three times in the first half and also had 5 shots cleared off the line throughout the game. The Cats are 4-1 in conference and 9-4-1 overall and ranked 4th in the region.
Cats Win Again
The Lady Wildcats hit the back of the net four times in a 4-1 victory over Culver-Stockton on Saturday.
Mikayla Medlock’s leg got the ‘Cats started with a great finish after rounding the goalkeeper. Nine minutes later, Christine Janssens scored the first of her two goals on an assist from Gina Schiraldi. Rachel Shepard finished the scoring in the half with a great run and finish.
Culver-Stockton struck first in the second half, but the ‘Cats extended their lead again on Janssens’ corner kick.
The Lady Cats continue their season against No. 9 William Jewell Tuesday at North Park.
Lady Cats get off to Great Start
The Wildcats opened their conference season with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Lindenwood University. The Cat's showed great character after falling behind 1-0 in the 4th minute to fight back and level the score with 6 minutes remaining. The Cat's then pushed forward and took home the victory in the first 5 minutes of overtime.
The Lady Cat's now face Culver Stockton on Saturday. Last year the Cat's and CSC played to a 1-1 tie at Culver.
Lady Cat's Finish Big Weekend
The Lady Wildcats just finished their most explosive weekend of the season so far. A total of 12 goals over two games helped the Cats beat Hannibal La Grange 3-0, and Friends University 9-0. The Cats outshoot HLG 19-3, and Friends 30-6.
In Friday’s game against Hannibal La Grange, Haley Oborny started out with a great goal to send the Cats into halftime 1-0. The second half was full of Wildcats attacks, with Sara Matthews finding the net to make the score 2-0. Jessica Schrock finished the scoring with a goal from a great pass from Gina Schiraldi.
Sunday against Friends the Cats were firing on all cylinders. Christine Janssens (pictured) completed a hat trick 7 minutes into the game. Just seconds later Jenny Sampson, after hitting the post on her first attempt, walked a ball into the net. Jessica Schrock got on the board for the second straight game with a one touch half volley. Not to be outdone, Katie McArdle scored her first goal of the year on a left-footed shot from the top of the box. The Cats’ continued to roll as Ashley Isbell cut a defender outside the box and finished a shot that was of professional quality to the far post, a great 30 yard bomb. The second half saw Rachel Shepard add her second of the weekend off a great pass from Mikayla Medlock and Ashley Isbell finished the scoring with her second on the day.
The Wildcats begin conference play next week with a trip to Lindenwood on Wednesday and Culver Stockton at home on Saturday at Liston Stadium.
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Cat's Top #18 Park University!
The Lady Wildcats fought and won a tough game Wednesday night under hostile conditions. The #18 Park University Pirates were looking to avenge a 1-0 overtime loss at Baker last year, and had 2nd team All- America Maria Ruiz fit and ready to go. The Cat's were up for the challenge and jumped out to a 1-0 lead 7 minutes in. Mikayla Medlock (pictuced) pounced a loose ball just inside the penalty area and finished off the far post. Just 15 minutes later the Cat's scored again when Chelsea Dunn finished a goal mouth scramble to make the score 2-0.
Park fought back an came close to getting on the board when Maria Ruiz was sent through on a breakaway. Goal keeper Pam Brummit made a highlight reel save and kept the score 2-0. With 5 minutes left in the half Pam Brummit was injured when she dove at the feet on an attacker. She would leave the game and later received stitches to her left eye. Left defender freshman Haley Oborny took her place in the net.
Oborny led the Cat's thoughout the second half only conceding one goal, and claiming the victory, the Wildcat's first ever on Park's home field. The ladies are in action again Saturday at Hastings College.
Lady Cats Fall to KWU
The Lady Cats fell Thursday night to a tough Kansas Wesleyan team at Liston Stadium. The Cat’s got off to a slow start and KWU capitalized by putting the Baker ladies under a lot of pressure. The pressure paid off when KWU scored on a penalty kick that sent the Cats into halftime down 1-0. The second half saw the Cats play some exciting attacking soccer, that produced six second half scoring chances to KWU’s two shots on goal. The Lady Cats had four corners and a set piece in the second half but could not convert. Baker came out of this game having learned a tough lesson to an experienced opponent. The Cat’s will look to rebound against the Park Pirates at 5pm Wednesday Sept 5th at Park University.
Cats Start With a Bang
On Saturday afternoon at the North Park Soccer Complex in Baldwin City, Ks. the Lady Cats started the season off with an impressive 5-0 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State. Five different ladies scored for the team, Sara Matthews started the scoring with a poacher’s goal 19 minutes into the game on a cross from Jennifer Sampson. Mikayla Medlock started the second half off with a goal off of a dangerous cross. Jennifer Sampson claimed a long ball by Jenny Haynes and dribbled around the keeper to finish nicely. Christine Janssens was next with a finish that was too strong for the keepers hands. Kristen Steppe finished the game off with a well taken penalty kick in the dieing seconds."Overall a good first step for the team," said Coach Nate Houser. The Lady Cats will host Kansas Wesleyan 8 p.m. Aug. 30 at North Park Soccer Complex.
Schedule/Results
- Oct. 12: at Central Methodist, W(2-1)
- Oct. 16: at MidAmerica Nazarene, T(1-1)
- Oct. 19: Benedictine College, 5:30 p.m.
- Oct. 24: at Missouri Valley, 1 p.m.
- Oct. 27: Graceland, 5 p.m.
- Nov. 2: at Benedictine, 2:00 p.m.