Women's Soccer Prepares for Region Title Game

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.-- The North Central Women's Soccer team has earned the top spot in the NCCAA Regional Standings and will play for the region title on Saturday at 11am. The Rams will play the winner of Friday's semi final game between Faith Baptist Bible College and Providence College.

Following the first winning season in NCU history, which included an NCU record 8 victories, the Lady Rams are now one victory from their first birth in the NCCAA DII Women's Soccer National Championship Touranament. The 2008 season has seen North Central use a blend of strong senior leadership and outstanding young talent to post the highest goals, assists, and points totals in program history. The youth and experience has also combined to form the best defensive numbers of any Rams team in history.

Freshman forward Jennifer Cline (Green Bay, Wis.) leads the Rams with 25 points on 10 goals and five assists. Senior forward Tonya Johnson (Brooklyn Center, Minn.) is second in points (21) and goals (8) while also being named the NCCAA National Player of the week for her 3 goal, 2 assist performance in two weekend games verses Providence College and Canadian Mennonite University on September 26 and 27.

The defense is lead by senior goalkeeper Casey Lattu (Columbus, Wis.) who has recored the best goals against average in NCU history (1.47) while the team has allowed a program best 1.45 GAA. Freshman defenders Emmie McMullin (Omro, Wis.), Bethany Burkman (Maple Grove, Minn.) and Sarah Kiiskila (Wautoma, Wis.) have combined with Lattu and Junior defender Amy Thompson (Braidwood, Ill.) to form a sturdy and reliable defensive front.

The Rams earned wins over both Faith Baptist (Ankeny, Iowa) and Providence (Otterburne, Manitoba) on the road and posted an additional victory over Faith at home. The Rams defeated Faith 4-0 at home on September 18 and then traveled to Iowa and defeated the Eagles by another 4-0 count on October 9. NCU claimed one of their most exciting victories ever when they defeated Providence 3-2 in extra time. The Lady Freeman led NCU with slightly more than a minute remaining when Tonya Johnson scored on an assist from Kalyn Zimmer (Saginaw, Mich.). Then right before the end of regulation Johnson booted a cross that was headed home by Jennifer Cline to tie the game. The Rams claimed the win when Cline booted home the third NCU goal less than two minutes into the extra period.

The Eagles and Lady Freeman have played twice with the Freeman winning a 4-1 game and the teams tying 2-2 in the rematch. Their regional playoff game will be played Friday at 2pm. The winner will face NCU 11am on Saturday. The Regional Playoffs will be hosted by Pillsbury Baptist Bible College in Owatonna, Minnesota.