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Friday, November 20, 2009 11:06 PM

File photo/The Ottawa Herald


Ottawa University freshman Jo-anne Glynn speeds toward the ball during a match this season. Ottawa (16-4) plays 11 a.m. today in its first NAIA National Tournament match against Trinity Christian at Peoples Bank Field.

OU players need community support

Rally around team

By Greg Mast/Herald Sports Editor

Many of the Ottawa University women’s soccer players will not have family in the stands today when the Lady Braves play their first round NAIA National Tournament match.

The players’ families live a distance away from Ottawa.

Ottawa University soccer coach Craig Shaw said it would be nice for the Ottawa community to come out and support the Lady Braves in their 11 a.m. match today against Trinity Christian, Ill.

He said the players could be their stepdaughters for the day.

“It should be exciting for the fans,” Shaw said. “It will go down to the wire. We need [the fans’] help.”

Ottawa (16-4) is making its first NAIA national tourney after going through the conference regular season and postseason tourney undefeated.

Shaw said the two teams are mirror images of each other.

“We are two similar teams,” Shaw said. “The first 10 to 15 minutes could be crucial.”

Ottawa is a team that doesn’t rely on few scorers or a few defenders to make plays.

The Lady Braves play a lot of players and have a player coming off the bench with eight goals.

Shaw has mixed and matched his back four all season because of injuries. They have been solid, giving up just one goal in conference play.

“We have a number of threats going out there,” Shaw said. “Our bench is just as dangerous.”

Junior captain Lizzie Wilkens, who plays defense and midfield, said the Lady Braves are a team that plays together.

“Everyone supports each other,” Wilkins said. “We are ready to play our game. It will be a tough game. They have some quick girls. It will be a good matchup.”

Ottawa hopes its non-conference schedule, which featured six teams that played in the NAIA tourney last year, will pay dividends.

Both Ottawa and Trinity lost to St. Ambrose by a goal this season.

“Our preseason was really tough,” sophomore midfielder Amanda Just said. “The experience was great for us.”

Just said the Ottawa defense has played sterling all season.

“They have been a brick wall all season,” Just said.

The sophomore said Ottawa’s depth should be play a factor.

“We have two full lineups,” she said. “We sub about all 11 every game. We like to run through our midfield.”

Shaw said Ottawa’s system is to work the ball up the field and not play it over the top.

Just said the week off has given Ottawa time to prepare.

“We have had time to go over strategies,” Just said.

Greg Mast can be reached at sports@ottawaherald.com

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