Women's Soccer 8/29/2017 4:04:00 PM Chris Myers

Cardinals Women’s Soccer Seeks to Continue Building up the Ranks

WHEELING, W.Va. – The Cardinals are ready for the next step on the pitch. Wheeling Jesuit women's soccer team added to its win total in each of the last two years and seeks to continue building up the 2017 ranks.

The Cardinals have gone from a single victory three years ago to four wins and six victories last fall at 6-11-1. WJU returns two All-Mountain East Conference performers – defender Natalie Indermuhle and forward Jenny Soegaard-Andersen – set to lead the way.

Head coach Tyler Absalom's third Cardinals squad is ready to put a solid preseason camp to the test, which has included a 5-1 win in Pittsburgh last Saturday night over Point Park.

"I'm excited for the season to get underway. Our progression through preseason has looked good," pointed out Absalom. "In my third year at the helm, it's been a process getting the culture I want in place. This is always going to be a dynamic part of a program, but we are stronger than we've been in a long time as a program and I am happy about that."

WJU takes its show on the road for its initial two matches of the season. The Cardinals start Thursday afternoon, Aug. 31, in a 2 p.m. match at the Griffins of Seton Hill in Greensburg, Pa. WJU travels to Notre Dame College on the following Friday, Sept. 8, in a 4 p.m. match, before its home opener against Charleston on Thursday, Sept. 14, in a 5:30 p.m. kick-off.

Despite being picked seventh in the MEC Preseason Coaches Poll, WJU looks to prove the rating wrong. The Cardinals look to reverse its trend in close games from a year ago, which they came up short by a single goal in six games. A third year of progress under Absalom will put WJU in the MEC Post Season mix this fall.

"My outlook for the season itself is a good one. I think we're headed in the right direction and that direction is towards post season play. One of our goals every year as a program is to reach the MEC Post Season action. I think we've positioned ourselves with this special blend of new and returning student-athletes get us to the next level. I look forward to watching our progress this season," said Absalom.

Leading the charge, WJU tri-captains of senior forwards Soegaard-Andersen and Nikki Hillard and goalie Hannah Thompson. The captains and two-time All-MEC defender Indermuhle will guide a roster now more than half of experienced players.

Soegaard-Andersen blasted eight goals into the net as one of the MEC's top goal scorers a year ago. Hillard scored one of her own and assisted on two others on the front line. Junior forwards Emily Hartley and Kayla Klock added a pair of goals apiece to the team's scoring total back.

The 5-10 Indermuhle will again be the Cardinals' center back and anchor of the defense. The senior booted a goal a year ago in her over 1,658 minutes of time on the field.

-GoCards-

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Players Mentioned

#16 Emily Hartley: F; 5' 3"; Junior

#10 Nikki Hillard: F; 5' 2"; Senior

#6 Natalie Indermuhle: D; 5' 10"; Senior

#8 Kayla Klock: F; 5' 2"; Junior

#18 Jenny Soegaard-Andersen: F; 5' 4"; Senior

#00 Hannah Thompson: GK; 5' 9"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#16 Emily Hartley
: 5' 3"; Junior
: F

#10 Nikki Hillard
: 5' 2"; Senior
: F

#6 Natalie Indermuhle
: 5' 10"; Senior
: D

#8 Kayla Klock
: 5' 2"; Junior
: F

#18 Jenny Soegaard-Andersen
: 5' 4"; Senior
: F

#00 Hannah Thompson
: 5' 9"; Junior
: GK