2006 Media Guide - University of North Dakota Athletics

2005 IN REVIEW
By Jonathan R. Fortner
It was an exciting year for the 2005 Fighting Sioux
soccer team, which brought not only a new coach
but new fans to Bronson Field.
In his first season at the helm, head coach Brock
Thompson brought to the program a playing style
that focused on solid scoring opportunties.
Something clicked. The Sioux finished with a final
regular season record of 12-4-1 and 7-4-1 in the
North Central Conference.
The fans noticed. Devoted fans tailgated before
games and set the all-time season total attendance
mark at 1,659.
Starting the season with a five-game winning
streak, the Sioux showed early that they were a
team with a chance to qualify for the postseason.
After defeating 13th-ranked South Dakota 2-1 at
Bronson Field on Sept. 25, the Sioux were recognized
nationally with a No. 24 ranking in the
National Soccer Coaches Association of
America/Adidas Poll.
The team built upon its solid start and was selected
for the NCAA postseason tournment. The main
reason for the success was the vast amount of talent
found on this year’s roster.
First, the Sioux defense was dominant. In net, the
Sioux had one of the best – if not the best – goalkeepers
in the NCC and also the nation. Nationally,
the Sioux defense was ranked 12th in shots on
goal save percentage (0.873) and junior netminder
Ashley Rohwer was ranked 18th in goals against
average and 10th in shots on goal save percentage.
In 2005, Rohwer only allowed 11 goals while
making 84 saves in 1,254 total minutes of action.
Her statistics placed her in the top five in the NCC
in every defensive category.
And if that wasn’t enough, Rohwer also notched
five shutouts, placing her tied for second all-time
for shutouts (7) and third for shutouts in a season
at UND. Her most significant shutout was against
sixth-ranked Nebraska-Omaha. Rohwer made 10
saves in the game before freshman Sarah Thaden
scored the game-winning goal.
“Ashley manages the game very well from the
goal,” Thompson said. “She is much more than a
shot stopper. She’s a leader and an organizer and
certainly a valuable piece to our back line.”
Up front, the Sioux offense was able to put some
points on the scoreboard. Three Sioux players were
listed in many top 10 offensive categories in the
NCC, including Shannon Murphy, Meghan
Mutrie, and Jenna Barr.
Leading the offense was Barr, who sat out most of
the 2004 season with a knee injury. Since then,
she has fought back to regain her ability to make
plays on the field, and it showed in 2005.
Jenna Barr scored 12 goals and 6 assists in 2005, leading UND with 30 points.
Barr also exhibited unselfish and solid all-around
play that resulted in her being ranked in the NCC
in numerous offensive categories, including shots,
shots per game, points, points per game, assists,
and assists per game. It is no wonder why Barr’s
efforts were a catalyst for her being named the
NCC offensive player of the week twice in 2005.
“Jenna was our most consistent finisher this sea-
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