The Missouri State University field hockey team hit a few rough spots in 2006 in its second season in the Mid-American Conference, but found great promise for the seasons to come as the underclassmen gained lots of on-field experience. The Bears finished the season 5-13 overall and 1-9 in the league for a sixth-place finish.
The season, however, had its highlights, as the Bears went on a five-game win streak. The streak started at home with a 2-0 win against Saint Louis University on September 13, continued on the road with a 2-1 win against Radford in double overtime and a 3-2 win over Robert Morris. The streak continued with a blow-out of Lindenwood, 6-0, and a 2-1 conference win over Kent State.
During the span of the Bears' win streak, senior forward Stephani Wehrman had two different games where she scored two goals in each game against Radford and Robert Morris. Wehrman also had the game-winning goals against RU and RMU.
The season ended for the Bears in the first round of the MAC Tournament at Ohio University, as the Bears fell, 3-1, in the opening round match to number three seed Miami University.
A rock for this season was strong defense by the Bears' two goalkeepers, junior Kim Kinsella and sophomore Jessica Schuster. Together they combined to only allow 44 goals, nine less than last year's total. Kinsella also led the country for four weeks in save percentage from September 24 to October 15.
Wehrman, Huck and Kinsella represented the Bears as All-MAC selections. Wehrman was named to the first team, while Kinsella, a repeat second team selection, and Huck were named second team selections. Wehrman led the team with15 points on seven goals and one assist. Huck had 12 points on five goals, two assists, and one defensive save. Kinsella finished the season with 168 saves and a .816 save percentage while only allowing 38 goals and holding Saint Louis University scoreless on Sept. 13.
Wehrman and Kinsella both represented Missouri State on MAC Player of the Week offensive and defensive lists, respectively.
Kinsella was also named first in the nation in save percentage and saves per game (10.5) for the second year in a row. The team was also recognized first nationally with a save percentage of .814 and second in saves per game, averaging 10.72 per contest.
The Bears placed three players on the Academic All-MAC Team, including Kinsella, Wehrman, and senior Melissa Behr as each was named to the 15-player team, giving the Bears the second most players on the team from any school in the conference.
Head Coach Dawn Porter finished her ninth season at the helm of the Missouri State program and now holds a 70-102 overall record as the head coach.
