MILWAUKEE -- It was another successful season for the Mount Mary University soccer team in 2017. The Blue Angels brought in a strong recruiting class to shore up the defense and solidify their efforts on both ends of the field. Overall, Blue Angels Soccer finished 7-8-1 on the year, and came just one goal shy of becoming the first athletic team in Mount Mary University history to have back-to-back winning seasons. Although shy of the record, the Blue Angels established themselves again as a growing force in the region.
As the Blue Angels began the 2017 season, they took time getting familiar with each other and the new roster additions. Going 2-3-1 in the first six games was an analogous microcosm of MMU's entire 2017 season. The Blue Angels lost two of those early games by just one goal, while suffering through injuries and an evolving lineup.
The offense rarely stuttered, as sophomore striker Allison Klotz (Port Washington, Wis.) seem to ignite the Blue Angels in nearly every contest. In the midst of the season, Klotz motivated her team with an astounding four-goal game against Eureka College. The forward used three perfectly placed passes to grab a hat-trick in the first 15 minutes of the game. Two more Blue Angels found the net as MMU finished 7-0 in their biggest victory of the season.
As the team continued to develop chemistry, the defense began clamping down on the opposition and seriously limiting any opportunities on their end of the field. The defensive wall was led by Hannah Rose (So./Jeromesville, Ohio) who ended the season with four shutouts and a 1.91 goals against average. That average was the second lowest goals against average in school history, first all-time was set by Rose last season at 1.87.
With shutouts against Eureka, MacMurray and Andrews, Rose earned the Association of Division III Independents Goalkeeper of the Year Award for 2017. She was second in the Association in goals against average and first in total saves at 127.
MMU worked through the middle of the season, and were able to finish strong going 4-2 in their final six games. MMU was in stride and found a different way to win as in their final four wins, four different Blue Angels fired in game winning goals.
The Blue Angels ended their home schedule with a fitting 2-0 victory on Senior Day, when Lucy Vue (Sr./Milwaukee, Wis.) set teammate Becky Onan (Sr./Grafton, Wis.) up on the duo's final score of their collegiate careers.
Following the season, both Hannah Rose and Becky Onan were named to the AD3I first team. The All-Association Second Team was filled up with four more Blue Angels including Allison Klotz, Karina Salgado (Jr./Chicago, Ill.), Alexa Ahlgrim (So./Inverness, Ill.) and Renee Cleary (Fr./Slinger, Wis.).
Leading the offense for MMU, Klotz finished fifth in the AD3I in goals (15) and overall points (33). Teammate Becky Onan and Karina Salgado finished second in scoring with four goals each.
Now the Blue Angels will focus on their offseason. Following two of the most successful seasons in school history, excitement is brewing over the growing program. For new, updates and all of the information on the Blue Angels, check out mtmaryathletics.com.
