By Chris Duderstadt

Dec. 9, 2011

The Baker University women’s soccer team continued to make its mark as one of the best teams in the nation as it made a deep run in the national tournament for the second straight year.

The Wildcats followed up their 2010 Fab Four appearance with a trip to the Elite Eight in 2011. BU fell just short of reaching the Fab Four again as it dropped a heartbreaker to Point Loma Nazarene University after being tied 1-1 after two overtimes and losing 4-1 on penalty kicks.

Despite coming up just short of its 2010 achievements, the Wildcats repeated as regular season and postseason conference champions.

Junior Jordan Dolbin and seniors Maggie Dupes and Alix Schiraldi led the way for the ‘Cats, as they were recognized as NAIA all-Americans.

The Wildcats were also well-represented on the Heart of America Athletic Conference all-conference teams.

Dupes, Schiraldi, Dolbin and freshman Shelby Schiraldi were named to the all-HAAC first team. The Wildcats also swept the conferences’ most prestigious honors with Dupes earning the Defensive Player of the Year award, Alix Schiraldi being selected as the Co-Offensive Player of the Year and head coach Nate Houser winning the Coach of the Year.

BU ended the season with a record of 15-3-2.

Photo Credits: Baha Hamil, Gloria Atanmo and Pat Howell