Matt Griffith Bio

2008-09 Athletics Women's Soccer Media Guide (PDF)

Soccer News

Soccer Clinic Saturday, February 28 - February 10, 2009

HANCOCK, MI – Youth ages eight to 18 are invited to take part in a soccer clinic Saturday, February 28, 2009, at the Finlandia University Paavo Nurmi Athletic Center.

Ages 8 to 11 will meet from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.; ages 12 to 18 will meet from 12:00 to 2:30 p.m.

The clinic is designed to teach the basics of the game, including footwork, ball control, and shooting fundamentals. Advanced players will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with the coaches.

The clinic will be instructed by Matt Griffith, Finlandia’s head men’s and women’s soccer coach, and Finlandia student-athletes and coaches.

Clinic participants should bring indoor soccer shoes or gym shoes, and a water bottle. Size 5 soccer balls will be provided.

The cost for the clinic is $20.00 for youth ages eight to 11, and $25.00 for ages 12 to 18.

Registration Form

Lions Roar At Home - September 20, 2008

HANCOCK, MI - Saturday afternoon at the MTU soccer field, Finlandia University played a tough Mount Mary team. The Lion's came out ahead 1-0 when the final whistle blew.

FU forward and senior captain Adele Horrigan scored the game winning goal on a bended ball from the outside to beat the keeper. Lion freshman Shannon Feldpausch recorded her second shutout of the season saving 3 shots on net. The Lion's outshot Mount Mary 31 to 15, with the Lion's getting 9 shots on net. Sophmore sweeper Hayley Laban stood strong to hold off the Blue Angel's attack. Helping hold off the Mount Mary attack was stopper Dawn Engman, along with outside backs Samantha Lajoie and Alicia Burford.

"We came out fighting hard today and were able to work technically sound. The women stood up and played the best ball thus far and it showed in the score. I am proud of the team and the dedication they put forth on and off the field," states 5th year head coach Matt Griffith.

Soccer Clinic A Success - September 10, 2008

HANCOCK, MI – Tuesday evening at the Hurontown soccer field, Finlandia University and the Copper Country Soccer Association cosponsored a free soccer clinic to area youth. The clinic was instructed by Matt Griffith, the head men’s and women’s soccer coach for Finlandia University and assisted by Finlandia’s soccer players.

As the local soccer athletes began to fill the fields it turned out to be a huge success. Over 100 local youth attended the free clinic designed to teach the fundamentals of the game.

“This is a great way for my soccer teams to give back to the community. We always have great community support for the Finlandia soccer programs, and this was our way to say ‘Thanks!’,” stated 5th year Finlandia soccer coach Matt Griffith. “We were able to team up with the Copper Country Soccer Association to really make the clinic a success.”

Finlandia Soccer Captain Jessica Jones hi-fives local athletes for a job well done.

Finlandia Soccer Team members instruct local youth on the agility course.

Women's Soccer Off to a Good Start - August 31, 2008

HANCOCK - The Finlandia women's soccer team traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin this weekend and took second place in the Mount Mary College Invitational.

In their first game, the Lions fought hard but fell to a seasoned Robert Morris College (Lake County, Ill.) team, 6-2. Freshman Mollie Schultz (Munising, Mich.) scored her first career goal for the Lions on a break away goal that found the lower right corner, off a solid left footed shot. Junior's Molly Raab and Jessica Jones made great defensive efforts in the first game.

In the second game, the Lions were able to beat a fast Mount Mary College (Milwaukee, Wis.) team 1-0. Jessica Jones (Winnipeg, Manitoba) scored the game winning goal late in the first half from outside the 18 yard line with a rocket of a shot that found the back of the net. The goal was assisted by Mollie Schultz who earned her third pint of the weekend. The Lions held off the Blue Angels relentless attack due to great defensive play from Molly Raab (Antigo, Wis.) and Hayley Laban (Houghton, Mich.). Freshman defender Dawn Engman (Dollar Bay, Mich.) and sophomore Samantha Lajoie (Negaunee, Mich.) contributed to the hard nosed defensive play for the Lions. Freshman goaltender Shannonn Feldpausch (Portland, Mich.) recorded her first ever shutout for the Lions, stopping 10 quality shots on net.

"Our women came out fighting in the first game, but we couldn't match the experience of Robert Morris. They already had four games under their belt for the year, and our ladies fought hard, but just couldn't find the back of the net," said fifth year Head Coach Matt Griffith. "The team really put things together and we learned from our mistakes the previous day to win against Mount Mary. Our women were confident and we won most 50/50 balls. The freshmen really stepped up following our captains lead. I am proud of what they did and second place in the tourney is a great accomplishment."

FREE Soccer Clinic! - August 11, 2008

HANCOCK, MI – Finlandia soccer along with the Copper Country Soccer Association will be hosting a free soccer clinic on September 9, 2008 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. for players ages 8 to 16. The clinic will be run on multiple soccer fields, please contact the CCSA for directions and registration information at mshyslop@charter.net.

The clinic will be run and instructed by Matt Griffith, the head men’s and women’s soccer coach for Finlandia University. Coach Griffith will be assisted by his coaching staff as well as the Finlandia men’s and women’s soccer players.

This clinic is designed to teach the basics of the game including footwork, ball control, and shooting fundamentals. The players will be asked to bring soccer cleats or indoor shoes and a water bottle for water, balls will be provided.

“This is a great opportunity for Finlandia University and the CCSA to work together and help out local community athletes,” said Coach Griffith. “My players and I look forward to helping the community youth become better players.”

Finlandia Women’s Soccer Adds Two for 2008 - August 1, 2008

HANCOCK, MI – The Finlandia University women’s soccer program will add two freshmen to next year’s team.

Mollie Schultz (Wetmore, Mich.) and Dawn Engman (Dollar Bay, Mich.) have committed to play for the Lions in the 2008-09 academic year.

Mollie Schultz, a 2008 graduate of Munising High School, is a 5'2" midfielder/forward who will major in liberal arts.

“Mollie is a great player with lots of speed. Her background in soccer and track has built up her endurance beyond most,” said head women’s soccer coach Matt Griffith. “I look for Mollie to transition well in the women’s program here at Finlandia.”

Dawn Engman, a 2008 graduate of Dollar Bay High School, will be a utility player for the Lions.

“Dawn is a local player who has been refining her skills the last few years. She is exciting to watch on the field and is excited to play here at Finlandia,” said Coach Griffith. ”I’m hoping that in tough game situations her great attitude will give the team extra motivation.”

Kudos for Finlandia Soccer Players - April 14, 2008

HANCOCK – Matt Griffith, Finlandia University fourth-year head soccer coach, is pleased to announce spring university athletic awards for the men’s and women’s teams. For their hard work and dedication, the student-athletes received awards for Most Valuable Player, Lion Award, Most Improved Player, and Academic Award.

The women’s soccer team MVP award went to Jessica Jones, a sophomore from Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Lion Award, granted to a student-athlete who “gave their all” this season, was earned by sophomore Molly Raab from Antigo, Wisc. The Most Improved Player award is shared by Ashley Leitch, a senior from Garden City, Mich., and sophomore Salome Mnzava from Tanzania. The Academic Award winner is sophomore Robin Murphy of Howell, Mich., with a GPA of 3.69.

“We had a great year and all of the women worked hard throughout the season,” Griffith said. “This is a talented group of women that never stop to surprise me.”

The Finlandia men’s soccer team MVP award was earned by sophomore Markus Halme from Finland. The Lion Award is shared by Shawn Wickersheim, a senior from White Lake, Wisc., and junior Andrew Kirt of Gaylord, Mich. The Most Improved Award was earned by freshman Andrew Blake of Chassell, Mich. And, winning his second Academic Award this year was Andrew Kirt of Gaylord, Mich., with a GPA of 3.96.

“Each and every one of the athletes gave everything they had out on the field this year,” Griffith said. “The men had their best season in Finlandia history to date. I am proud of every single one of them.”

Local Finlandia soccer players shine - October 20, 2007

On a mud covered field Saturday in Houghton the Finlandia Lion’s women’s soccer team fought through the tough field conditions to win 11-1 against Mount Mary College. Houghton residents Hayley Laban and Katelyn McLean came up big for the lions burying 3 goals apiece earning their first hat tricks of the season. Freshman Hayley Laban with her 3 goals and 1 assist tallied 7 points in the contest, and Freshman Katelyn McLean with her 3 goals and 2 assists earned 8 points on the day. Also scoring for the lions was Brighton, Michigan native Janna Daavettila scoring 3 goals earning herself the third hat trick of the day. Sophomore defender Molly Raab and Senior defender Brenda Peterson also scored a goal for the lions. “The field conditions were tough today and every player on the field was covered in mud. Our ladies fought through the adverse conditions, worked the ball well, and took advantage of training all week in the rain. Today was a record day for the program and the women worked hard to achieve it. I am continually impressed by the talent and drive of my players,” states fourth year head coach Matt Griffith.

Lions Play Close, Lose to NBBC - September 1, 2007

Sophomoer Ashley Jilek stopped 13 shots for the Finlandia University women's soccer team in a 2-0 loss to Northland at the Michigan Tech University athletic fields on Friday.

Senior midfielder Ashley Wanhala (Chassell) had two shots on goal for the Lions, while forward Jessica Jones also had a shot on goal.

Northland scored in the 33rd minute on a goal from Katie Fromer, and Chrissy Parker added the clincher in the 90th minute.

Northland outshot the Lions 14-6 and had 11 corner