The Rocket

Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Archived Photo Senior Kristin Mikolajczyk (No. 10) stretches in an attempt to steal the ball during a match against Lock Haven last season. "Miko," as her teammates call her, has been an asset for the Rock in 2007. Her work ethic and determination have helped a young SRU squad to a No. 3 national ranking. [Click to enlarge]

In the first four weeks of the season, the Rock women's soccer team has taken a page from the Jeffersons: They have been movin' on up.

In the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division II national poll, the Rock earned a No. 3 ranking, the highest position the Rock has attained since it (7-1, 4-0) held the same spot in the Oct. 5, 2004, poll.

The ascent in the polls comes fresh on the heels of the Rock's 4-0 whitewashing of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East opponent Mansfield last Saturday.

With the win, the Rock also maintained its place atop the NSCAA Northeast Region poll.

Each of the four goals during Saturday's offensive outburst came within a 10-minute span in the first half. Senior Jaimi Wilson got the team rolling, scoring with a penalty kick goal in the 21st minute of action after junior Danielle Cooper was taken down inside the box.

The Rock would find the net again about a minute later when Cooper was able to head the ball past Mansfield keeper Samantha DeLiere to give SRU a 2-0 lead. Mallory Neubert tallied her third goal of the year off an assist from freshman Cara Kelleher, who was named PSAC-West Player of the Week, in the 27th minute.

The Rock's final goal would come from leading scorer Meghan McGrath, who converted on a Melisa Sharek pass in the 30th minute of action to give SRU a commanding 4-0 lead.

"It was nice to see us finally be able to put away those opportunities," said Head Coach Noreen Herhliy. "Too often we haven't put it home in the past."

Continued...

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