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    Women's Soccer

    Meghan Kolze
    3 Meghan Kolze
    Class:
    Senior

    Hometown:
    Lake Zurich, Ill.

    High School:
    Lake Zurich

    Height:
    5-7

    Position:
    D

    Birthdate:
    07/28/1981

    Club team:
    Chicago Cobras

    2003
    Scored her first goal of the season against Georgia helping the Illini to a 2-1 victory on 9/5 • Her two assists have led to game winning goals, one came against Evansville on 9/12 and the other two days later against Illinois State on 9/14. • Named Big 10 Defensive Player of the Week after helping her team with two assists and holding Evansville and Illinois State scoreless for the weekend of 9/16 • Named to the Soccerbuzz National Elite Team of the Week on 9/17 for her efforts in 1-0 and 2-0 wins over Evansville and Illinois State respectfully. • Was instrumental in the Illini's record breaking five consecutive shutouts and 475 minutes of shutout ball • Her second goal was a game winner against Purdue to advance the Illini in the Big Ten Tournament • Named First Team All-Big Ten • Selected to the 2003 Academic All-District V Soccer Team • Played in her 84th game on 111/6, breaking the Illinois all time games played record.

    2003
    Co-Captain

    2002
    Co-Captain • Named the team’s Overall MVP and Defensive MVP • Started all 21 games and played every minute of every game • Scored the game-winning goal with just :28 remaining in the 3-2 upset of #13 Purdue which got the Illini into the Big Ten Tournament • Was named to the national team of the week by both Soccer America and soccerbuzz.com following the Purdue game • Scored her first career goal in UI’s 4-2 win over Butler on 9/6 • finished the season with five goals and 11 points, both ranked third on the team • Second Team All-Big Ten selection • Earned third team All-Great Lakes Region honors from soccerbuzz.com • Earned Academic All-Big Ten Honors.

    2001
    Started the first two contests of the season and recorded an assist at Kansas, before being sidelined with a knee injury • Took a medical redshirt • Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.

    2000
    Started all 22 games • Named the team’s defensive MVP • Recorded three assists including the game-winner against Indiana • Academic All-Big Ten.

    1999
    Played in 20 of 22 Illini games, starting eight • Recorded first career assist in win over Valparaiso • Recorded another assist against Ohio State.

    High School
    Three-time Fox Valley All-Conference selection, all-area, and team MVP • Named second-team All-State in 1998 and first-team All-State in 1999 by the Chicago Tribune • Received IHSSCA All-Sectional accolades in 1997 and '98 and IHSSCA All-State honors in '99 • Named to the Pioneer Press all-area team in 1999 • High school team won the regional and advanced to the sectional finals in 1997, '98 and '99, winning the sectional in 1998 • Played for ELA Alliance Club team for seven years and won State Cup Championships in 1995, '97, and '98 • Played for Chicago Cobras Club Team in 1999, leading them to the State Cup title • High School coach was Scott Steib.

    Personal
    Born July 28, 1981 • Daughter of Mike and Kim Kolze • Majoring in elementary education • Three-time starter and two-time all-conference selection as a guard for basketball team, which posted an 85-8 record in her three years • That club won regional and conference titles in 1997, '98 and '99, and sectional titles in both '98 and '99 • Grandfather Richard Kolze attended the University of Illinois.

    Getting to know Meghan
    Favorite athletes: both my sisters and my brother • Favorite TV show: Real World • Favorite movies: Shawshank Redemption and Rudy • Favorite music: I love all country music • Favorite thing about Coach Rayfield: her work ethic and knowledge of the game • Biggest sports thrill: scoring the game winning goal to beat Purdue in ‘02 • Three words that describe me: competitive, outgoing and humorous • I chose Illinois because: the team had great chemistry on and off the field and it was close to home.

    Coach Rayfield on Kolze
    “Meghan has developed into a leader for this team – especially on the field. She is a steady force in the back as a ball winner, an organizer, and a fierce competitor. Her experience and leadership as a fifth year senior will balance out the youth that will be a significant part of our defense.”


    Kolze’s Career Statistics:

    Year    GP-GS    S     SOG   G    A    Pts.  GWG
    1999    20-8     12    n/a   0    2    2     0
    2000    22-22    9     5     0    3    3     0
    2001    2-2      1     0     0    1    1     0
    2002    21-21    14    9     5    1    11    1
    Total   65-53    36    14    5    7    17    1  
    

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