TAMPA – It was going to take a big effort to derail No.1 Fort Lewis pursuit of the Division II Men’s national championship.
In a game that flowed one way and the other, No.9 Lees-McRae almost accomplished it, but a late goal by David Barden gave the Skyhawks a 1-0 victory on Saturday evening at Pepin-Rood Stadium.
After a spell of pressure had led to a Lees-McRae corner on left, the Skyhawks were able to clear and break quickly through Byron Cephers down the right. Cephers was dispossessed, but the Skyhawks held possession in the Bobcats half, and Kyle Wood’s long, angled cross from the right floated in to find Barden, whose cushioned header back across goal dropped softly into the right side-netting for the only goal of the game in the 78th minute.
“It hung up there for a while,” Barden said. “I see it floating in there, and the defenders, I don’t know if they were more concerned about me, or where the ball was going to land, but I just remember cutting around the guy, and I had to reach up and back as far as I could to find the only open space in the goal. The ‘keeper and the guy couldn’t slide in after it, so I guess I placed it perfectly.”
The victory gave the Skyhawks their second national championship, the first coming in 2005, and according to Barden gave him and the rest of his senior classmates a bit of redemption after having fallen in the 2006 final. It also meant a lot to Coach Oige Kennedy, who took over the side in July as one of the youngest head coaches in college soccer. Aged 27, Kennedy said he was thrilled to have won a title, and create a little history as the first coach to win a Division II men's national title in his first season.
“My main goal was to beat (former Fort Lewis coach) Jeremy Gunn, because he took over the team in ’99 and got beaten in the final,” Kennedy said. “Jeremy’s a mentor to me, and somebody who is a great friend, and a great person to bounce ideas off and everything else, so my motivation was to take the team in one year and win a national title. I knew we had the players to do it, and certainly it’s better being the guy making the decisions than watching the guy who makes the decisions. I take full responsibility for the success, and for the failures, so I’m absolutely delighted.”
In a tightly fought game that didn’t see many clear-cut chances, Fort Lewis had the first in the 17th minute as Fabian Kling’s header hit the right post off a free kick, Euan Purcell’s rebound header being snapped up by LMC goalkeeper Sean Paradise. As the half wore on, though, the Bobcats started to take control, Luke Perry shooting wide in the 35th minute when a through-ball wouldn’t quite settle properly for him.
LMC coach Chris Whalley said he was proud of his team’s effort, and thought that for good periods they were the better side.
“It’s a fantastic result for them,” Whalley said. “I thought we played a massive part in a very, very entertaining final. I thought we were a little unlucky at times, I thought we were the better team for long periods in the game, but that’s the game of soccer.”
The best chance for the Bobcats to take the lead came in the 60th minute when Berin Boracic latched onto a ball flicked over the top of the Skyhawks’ defense. Boracic had his shot saved as Fort Lewis goalkeeper Zane Wells came off his line to deny him, but the rebound came to David Palmer, who saw his shot cleared off the line by Dale Parker.
The Skyhawks were able to hold the Bobcats at bay for the final 10 minutes though, the only real opportunity for Lees-McRae being ruled out for offside, leaving the Skyhawks and their vocal contingent of fans headed back to Colorado with the championship.
“Everything balanced out, and it looked like it was our year all season,” Kennedy said. “We’re just glad to finally get the reward at the end of it.”
Showing posts with label Final Four. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Final Four. Show all posts
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Colleges: Botts lifts Lakers to national championship
TAMPA – Some players have a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
For Grand Valley State forward Melissa Botts, that was never truer than on Saturday afternoon, as her 78th minute goal gave the Lakers the NCAA Division II Women’s national championship with a 1-0 victory against Cal-State Dominguez Hills at Pepin-Rood Stadium.
“I was just in the right place at the right time,” Botts said. “They had a great cross, it bounced off someone and the goalie fiddled it with her hands a little bit and I just came up for a toe-poke.”
After a corner from the left had gone long through the penalty area, Katie Johnson gathered the ball on the right, cut in onto her left foot and hit an angled, low cross into the penalty area. Kristen Eible redirected the cross on net, and CSDH goalkeeper Alyssa Congdon dove to her right to make the save. Congdon wasn’t able to hold onto the shot, though, and Botts was on hand to tuck away the rebound into the left side of the net.
Botts had led the Lakers attack this season, the goal on Saturday being her 15th of the campaign, but because of an ankle injury she was limited for the end of the playoffs. However, less a minute after being brought on as a substitute, her goal proved crucial for the Lakers. GVS coach David DiIanni said that Botts had been goal-hungry throughout the season.
“We had decided we were going to run with Ashley for the last 10, 11, 12 minutes,” DiIanni said. “I don’t know if it was the sub or just like you said Ashley was in the right place at the right time, but it sent us to victory.”
The victory was a sweet one for the GVS seniors, who had been to two Final Fours in 2006 and 2007 without coming away with a championship. With the Lakers having lost only four games over the past four years, the championship provided a great send-off for the senior class.
“I think it’s definitely nice to go out with a win,” senior defender Natalja Stanski said. “It’s been rough couple of years with emotional highs and lows, and making so far and always getting disappointed when you lose. I’m upset that I’m never going to play again, but it’s nice to go out with a national championship, and it’s definitely nice to do it with these girls that I’ve played with for four years.”
CSDH had opened the better of the two sides, as the Lakers appeared a little nervous to start the game, and the Toros had almost taken the lead in the fourth minute when Jessica Murphy’s shot clipped the top of the crossbar before going out for a goal kick.
After the first 10 minutes, though, the Toros seemed to become disconnected, giving away possession cheaply, and being forced to chase as GVS controlled the tempo of the game for most of the remaining 80 minutes.
“I thought they passed the ball pretty well, controlled possession and dictated the flow of the game,” Toros coach Joe Flanagan said. “We had moments, I agree I thought the first 10 minutes we were looking good, and then they just started to establish possession more.”
The Toros came close to forcing overtime in the 88th minute when Lakers goalkeeper Chelsea Parisecame well off her line to try and gather in a free kick from the left, only to see the ball get redirected to the top of the penalty area. CSDH’s Paige Peel fired a strong low shot to the bottom right corner of thenet, but Parise was able to scramble back to turn the shot wide for a corner.
Parise then saved from Kristan Boyle from the ensuing corner to end what was the Toros last chance to extend the game.
All that was left then was for the Lakers to celebrate their first women’s soccer national championship.
“This is not about me, it’s so much about the 26 girls that are underneath us that have sacrificed for four months,” DiIanni said. “I’m excited for our program and our girls that are right here and our team and the 60 text messages I’m going have from our alumni when I get out of here, that’s what I’m excited about, and I’m excited for our school, quite honestly.
“Our school has been behind us forever, and that’s what we’re about, we’re a family at our school, and we just wanted to chip in.”
For Grand Valley State forward Melissa Botts, that was never truer than on Saturday afternoon, as her 78th minute goal gave the Lakers the NCAA Division II Women’s national championship with a 1-0 victory against Cal-State Dominguez Hills at Pepin-Rood Stadium.
“I was just in the right place at the right time,” Botts said. “They had a great cross, it bounced off someone and the goalie fiddled it with her hands a little bit and I just came up for a toe-poke.”
After a corner from the left had gone long through the penalty area, Katie Johnson gathered the ball on the right, cut in onto her left foot and hit an angled, low cross into the penalty area. Kristen Eible redirected the cross on net, and CSDH goalkeeper Alyssa Congdon dove to her right to make the save. Congdon wasn’t able to hold onto the shot, though, and Botts was on hand to tuck away the rebound into the left side of the net.
Botts had led the Lakers attack this season, the goal on Saturday being her 15th of the campaign, but because of an ankle injury she was limited for the end of the playoffs. However, less a minute after being brought on as a substitute, her goal proved crucial for the Lakers. GVS coach David DiIanni said that Botts had been goal-hungry throughout the season.
“We had decided we were going to run with Ashley for the last 10, 11, 12 minutes,” DiIanni said. “I don’t know if it was the sub or just like you said Ashley was in the right place at the right time, but it sent us to victory.”
The victory was a sweet one for the GVS seniors, who had been to two Final Fours in 2006 and 2007 without coming away with a championship. With the Lakers having lost only four games over the past four years, the championship provided a great send-off for the senior class.
“I think it’s definitely nice to go out with a win,” senior defender Natalja Stanski said. “It’s been rough couple of years with emotional highs and lows, and making so far and always getting disappointed when you lose. I’m upset that I’m never going to play again, but it’s nice to go out with a national championship, and it’s definitely nice to do it with these girls that I’ve played with for four years.”
CSDH had opened the better of the two sides, as the Lakers appeared a little nervous to start the game, and the Toros had almost taken the lead in the fourth minute when Jessica Murphy’s shot clipped the top of the crossbar before going out for a goal kick.
After the first 10 minutes, though, the Toros seemed to become disconnected, giving away possession cheaply, and being forced to chase as GVS controlled the tempo of the game for most of the remaining 80 minutes.
“I thought they passed the ball pretty well, controlled possession and dictated the flow of the game,” Toros coach Joe Flanagan said. “We had moments, I agree I thought the first 10 minutes we were looking good, and then they just started to establish possession more.”
The Toros came close to forcing overtime in the 88th minute when Lakers goalkeeper Chelsea Parisecame well off her line to try and gather in a free kick from the left, only to see the ball get redirected to the top of the penalty area. CSDH’s Paige Peel fired a strong low shot to the bottom right corner of thenet, but Parise was able to scramble back to turn the shot wide for a corner.
Parise then saved from Kristan Boyle from the ensuing corner to end what was the Toros last chance to extend the game.
All that was left then was for the Lakers to celebrate their first women’s soccer national championship.
“This is not about me, it’s so much about the 26 girls that are underneath us that have sacrificed for four months,” DiIanni said. “I’m excited for our program and our girls that are right here and our team and the 60 text messages I’m going have from our alumni when I get out of here, that’s what I’m excited about, and I’m excited for our school, quite honestly.
“Our school has been behind us forever, and that’s what we’re about, we’re a family at our school, and we just wanted to chip in.”
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Colleges: Toros shock No.1 Argos with shootout win
TAMPA – After Cal-State Dominguez Hills began believing in themselves, they started making believers out of their opponents.
The latest side to fall to the No.15-ranked Toros was the biggest scalp in their run to the NCAA Division II Women’s championship game, as No.1 West Florida saw its perfect season come to an end 4-1 in a shootout after the two sides played to a 1-1 tie after regulation and overtime at Pepin-Rood Stadium on Thursday night.
“I think just us believing in ourselves has gotten us this far,” Toros midfielder Melissa Livergood said. “Believing in our teammates, and pushing ourselves has got us here.”
Livergood confidently struck home the shootout goal that sealed the victory for the Toros after an intense 110-minute contest where neither side was able to gain the upper hand. She followed teammates Paige Peel, Karina Jahn and Brooke Thompson, who also converted, while CSDH goalkeeper Alyssa Congdon saved from Marcela Franco after West Florida’s Dernelle Mascall had shot wide in the opening round.
Congdon’s play all night was critical for the Toros, she finished with nine saves, and with each one it appeared her side’s confidence grew a little stronger. Her defense was also excellent in front of her, making things difficult for recently named Division II Player of the Year Shakira Duncan and 2008 award winner Shaneka Gordon.
“I’ve worked with my defense the whole season here,” Congdon said, “and I think we’ve played together as a team, and we work well together, and we’re confident with each other’s play, so I think that was what helped us push through at the end of the day.”
West Florida coach Joe Bartlinski was impressed with the defensive toughness the Toros exhibited, holding his swift forwards in check for most of the game.
“All credit, obviously, to Dominguez Hills,” Bartlinski said. “They worked very hard to make it difficult all night on our players.”
That tight defensive unit couldn’t keep the Argonauts, who entered the game averaging over five goals per game, off the board completely. West Florida opened the scoring when Duncan latched onto a pass from Gordon for a 36th-minute lead. CSDH hit back just under two minutes before halftime, though, as Yadira Gomez fired home after West Florida goalkeeper Courtney Jones was unable to reel in a corner from the right, leaving an empty net for Gomez to shoot into.
The game opened up more in the second half, with West Florida still appearing the more dangerous side as Congdon saved sharply diving to her right to turn a shot from Shameka Gordon around the post for a corner. It was the Toros, though, who had the best opportunity to end the game once it moved into overtime as Jahn almost capitalized on a quick build-up by Gomez and Jessica Murphy, only to see her shot come back off the left post.
The near-miss didn’t discourage Toros coach Joe Flanagan, though, who was thrilled with the effort his side put forth.
“I didn’t think that was going to be our only chance,” Flanagan said. “The way the game was going, I thought both teams were going to have other chances.”
None were taken before overtime expired, leading to the Toros' shootout victory and Flanagan gaining an opportunity for what may be a unique double. After leading the CSDH men’s program to a Division II National title last season in Tampa, he is now one win away from taking with the women’s side this season.
“It would be amazing,” Flanagan said. “My girls have been in the shadows of the guys for the past four or five years, and it’s been an emotional season for many reasons. They’ve got to a level at the right time, and played at the top of their game at the right time. To be 5-0 in the playoffs now, and playing against the top teams in the country and be on the national stage and playing at the level they’re playing at, I couldn’t be prouder.”
The latest side to fall to the No.15-ranked Toros was the biggest scalp in their run to the NCAA Division II Women’s championship game, as No.1 West Florida saw its perfect season come to an end 4-1 in a shootout after the two sides played to a 1-1 tie after regulation and overtime at Pepin-Rood Stadium on Thursday night.
“I think just us believing in ourselves has gotten us this far,” Toros midfielder Melissa Livergood said. “Believing in our teammates, and pushing ourselves has got us here.”
Livergood confidently struck home the shootout goal that sealed the victory for the Toros after an intense 110-minute contest where neither side was able to gain the upper hand. She followed teammates Paige Peel, Karina Jahn and Brooke Thompson, who also converted, while CSDH goalkeeper Alyssa Congdon saved from Marcela Franco after West Florida’s Dernelle Mascall had shot wide in the opening round.
Congdon’s play all night was critical for the Toros, she finished with nine saves, and with each one it appeared her side’s confidence grew a little stronger. Her defense was also excellent in front of her, making things difficult for recently named Division II Player of the Year Shakira Duncan and 2008 award winner Shaneka Gordon.
“I’ve worked with my defense the whole season here,” Congdon said, “and I think we’ve played together as a team, and we work well together, and we’re confident with each other’s play, so I think that was what helped us push through at the end of the day.”
West Florida coach Joe Bartlinski was impressed with the defensive toughness the Toros exhibited, holding his swift forwards in check for most of the game.
“All credit, obviously, to Dominguez Hills,” Bartlinski said. “They worked very hard to make it difficult all night on our players.”
That tight defensive unit couldn’t keep the Argonauts, who entered the game averaging over five goals per game, off the board completely. West Florida opened the scoring when Duncan latched onto a pass from Gordon for a 36th-minute lead. CSDH hit back just under two minutes before halftime, though, as Yadira Gomez fired home after West Florida goalkeeper Courtney Jones was unable to reel in a corner from the right, leaving an empty net for Gomez to shoot into.
The game opened up more in the second half, with West Florida still appearing the more dangerous side as Congdon saved sharply diving to her right to turn a shot from Shameka Gordon around the post for a corner. It was the Toros, though, who had the best opportunity to end the game once it moved into overtime as Jahn almost capitalized on a quick build-up by Gomez and Jessica Murphy, only to see her shot come back off the left post.
The near-miss didn’t discourage Toros coach Joe Flanagan, though, who was thrilled with the effort his side put forth.
“I didn’t think that was going to be our only chance,” Flanagan said. “The way the game was going, I thought both teams were going to have other chances.”
None were taken before overtime expired, leading to the Toros' shootout victory and Flanagan gaining an opportunity for what may be a unique double. After leading the CSDH men’s program to a Division II National title last season in Tampa, he is now one win away from taking with the women’s side this season.
“It would be amazing,” Flanagan said. “My girls have been in the shadows of the guys for the past four or five years, and it’s been an emotional season for many reasons. They’ve got to a level at the right time, and played at the top of their game at the right time. To be 5-0 in the playoffs now, and playing against the top teams in the country and be on the national stage and playing at the level they’re playing at, I couldn’t be prouder.”
Colleges: Lakers rally to overtime victory
TAMPA – The look on Grand Valley State coach Dave DiIanni said it all, as did the first words out of his mouth.
“What a game,” DiIanni said.
DiIanni’s Lakers had just moved into the NCAA Division II Women’s championship game after rallying from a two-goal deficit to earn a 3-2 overtime victory thanks to Kristen Eible’s goal five minutes into the first extra period.
“I’m so proud of these girls,” DiIanni said. “To fight and scrap, it’s kind of the way our year has been at times, we’ve been put in tough situations, and we’ve been able to fight out way out of it and build some character in the regular season, and you saw some character today with the way our girls kept scrapping and believing in each other. I’m very proud of their effort.”
Their effort was matched by Saint Rose, who appeared to be closing in on a berth in the final with a strong defensive performance in the second half. Golden Knights goalkeeper Shannon Murphy made a number of excellent saves as Grand Valley State controlled the bulk of the possession and created most of the chances after the break. But with seven minutes to go, the ball deflected out to GVS’s Jaleen Dingledeen on the right side of the penalty area, and she cut inside onto her left foot and fired a shot into the opposite corner of the net.
“I wasn’t doing my best crossing today,” Dingledeen said, “so I decided to pull it back and kind of take a glory shot with my left foot. I really don’t remember the shot, I lifted my head and saw it go in the back of the net, and right then and there, I knew we were winning this game.”
Dingledeen’s confidence in victory was well-founded, as the Lakers continued to press forward in overtime, and after a corner was only partially cleared, a ball into the area was controlled by Kayla Addison with her back to goal. Addison saw the run of Eible, who was overlapping into the right side of the penalty area, and Addison’s pass found her in stride for a first-time shot into the left corner of the net, sending the Lakers bench streaming onto the field in celebration.
It was a disappointing conclusion for the Golden Knights, who had caught the Lakers flat-footed to take a 2-0 lead within the first three minutes. Nicola D’Errico scored the first, combining beautifully with twin sister Gianna to open the scoring within the first minute, and goalkeeping error allowed the Golden Knights to double their lead on a shot by Brittany Godin that was initially parried up in the air, but then turned into her own net by GVS goalkeeper Chelsea Parise as she appeared to try to turn it aside for a corner.
“We knew that we needed to come out strong, come out fast and catch them off guard,” Nicola D’Errico said. “We were definitely all determined to get a quick goal in the first five minutes. I don’t know how fast the first goal was, the first minute maybe, but after that we just had an adrenaline rush.”
The Lakers were able to grab a goal back quickly as Erin Mruz capitalized after a good move down the right gave her an open opportunity on the left side of the penalty area, and she roofed her shot into the net. According to DiIanni, getting a goal back quickly helped the team greatly, and from then on the Lakers were able to dictate the pace and the rhythm for the rest of the game, leading their coach to believe they deserved their place in the final.
“I was relieved, I think that was the big thing,” DiIanni said of his reaction to the overtime goal. “I don’t say this very often, but I really thought we deserved to win that game.
“Now, soccer’s a weird sport, it’s probably the weirdest, where you can deserve a lot of things and you don’t get them, so the other thing we talked about in the last two weeks is (how) you’ve got to take it. People aren’t going to give you anything at this level any more, you have to take it, and I thought we took it from them, there’s no doubt about it. They came in and took it from us in the first three minutes and took it from us, and we took it back, and I’m very proud of them.”
“What a game,” DiIanni said.
DiIanni’s Lakers had just moved into the NCAA Division II Women’s championship game after rallying from a two-goal deficit to earn a 3-2 overtime victory thanks to Kristen Eible’s goal five minutes into the first extra period.
“I’m so proud of these girls,” DiIanni said. “To fight and scrap, it’s kind of the way our year has been at times, we’ve been put in tough situations, and we’ve been able to fight out way out of it and build some character in the regular season, and you saw some character today with the way our girls kept scrapping and believing in each other. I’m very proud of their effort.”
Their effort was matched by Saint Rose, who appeared to be closing in on a berth in the final with a strong defensive performance in the second half. Golden Knights goalkeeper Shannon Murphy made a number of excellent saves as Grand Valley State controlled the bulk of the possession and created most of the chances after the break. But with seven minutes to go, the ball deflected out to GVS’s Jaleen Dingledeen on the right side of the penalty area, and she cut inside onto her left foot and fired a shot into the opposite corner of the net.
“I wasn’t doing my best crossing today,” Dingledeen said, “so I decided to pull it back and kind of take a glory shot with my left foot. I really don’t remember the shot, I lifted my head and saw it go in the back of the net, and right then and there, I knew we were winning this game.”
Dingledeen’s confidence in victory was well-founded, as the Lakers continued to press forward in overtime, and after a corner was only partially cleared, a ball into the area was controlled by Kayla Addison with her back to goal. Addison saw the run of Eible, who was overlapping into the right side of the penalty area, and Addison’s pass found her in stride for a first-time shot into the left corner of the net, sending the Lakers bench streaming onto the field in celebration.
It was a disappointing conclusion for the Golden Knights, who had caught the Lakers flat-footed to take a 2-0 lead within the first three minutes. Nicola D’Errico scored the first, combining beautifully with twin sister Gianna to open the scoring within the first minute, and goalkeeping error allowed the Golden Knights to double their lead on a shot by Brittany Godin that was initially parried up in the air, but then turned into her own net by GVS goalkeeper Chelsea Parise as she appeared to try to turn it aside for a corner.
“We knew that we needed to come out strong, come out fast and catch them off guard,” Nicola D’Errico said. “We were definitely all determined to get a quick goal in the first five minutes. I don’t know how fast the first goal was, the first minute maybe, but after that we just had an adrenaline rush.”
The Lakers were able to grab a goal back quickly as Erin Mruz capitalized after a good move down the right gave her an open opportunity on the left side of the penalty area, and she roofed her shot into the net. According to DiIanni, getting a goal back quickly helped the team greatly, and from then on the Lakers were able to dictate the pace and the rhythm for the rest of the game, leading their coach to believe they deserved their place in the final.
“I was relieved, I think that was the big thing,” DiIanni said of his reaction to the overtime goal. “I don’t say this very often, but I really thought we deserved to win that game.
“Now, soccer’s a weird sport, it’s probably the weirdest, where you can deserve a lot of things and you don’t get them, so the other thing we talked about in the last two weeks is (how) you’ve got to take it. People aren’t going to give you anything at this level any more, you have to take it, and I thought we took it from them, there’s no doubt about it. They came in and took it from us in the first three minutes and took it from us, and we took it back, and I’m very proud of them.”
Colleges: Paradise lifts Bobcats to shootout victory
TAMPA – If there is an art to saving penalty kicks, Lees-McRae goalkeeper Sean Paradise appears to have mastered it.
Paradise saved a spot kick in regulation, and then in the opening round of a penalty shootout, as the Bobcats first rallied from a two-goal deficit with 10 minutes to play in regulation and then won a shootout 5-3 against Lewis College to advance to the NCAA Division II Men’s championship after the two sides had played to a 2-2 tie after regulation and overtime at Pepin-Rood Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
“Whenever a striker approaches the ball, I kind of watch his hips, and see if he’s going to open or close them,” Paradise said. “If he opens, he’s going to open me up, and if he closes them he’s going to come across me, depending on whether he’s right- or left-footed. I just watch the hips, and I managed to get lucky a couple of times today.”
After Lees-McRae had held the better of play for most of the first half and early in the second, Lewis got the opportunity to take the lead when Lees-McRae’s Luke Staats was penalized for a handball in the penalty area. Robert McGowan stepped up for the Flyers, but his low shot to the right was turned away for a corner by Paradise.
McGowan had another chance to score from the spot when he took the Flyers first shot in the shootout, but Paradise again read him correctly, diving to his right to push his shot away, giving the Bobcats an advantage they wouldn’t relinquish.
“I figured he wouldn’t go the same way twice on me,” Paradise said. “He ended up going the other way, and I ended up guessing right again.”
All five Bobcats – Richard Guffens, David Palmer, Lee Squires, Berin Boracic and Jamie Bladen – converted their shots, putting Lees-McRae into Saturday’s championship game against No.1 Fort Lewis.
The drama of the shootout was almost matched by the drama of the final 15 minutes of the game, as Lewis appeared to have the game put away after a pair of goals by Nestor Hernandez gave the Flyers a 2-0 lead with 10 minutes to go. Hernandez opened the scoring in the 79th minute, controlling a long clearance by goalkeeper Sebastian Kieruzal in the penalty area before beating his defender and driving a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
He then doubled the Flyers lead 57 second later, first releasing teammate Charlie Bucio on a run into the left channel before peeling off into the penalty area. Bucio cut back from the byline onto his right foot, and sent a return pass to Hernandez, who shot low first-time into the net.
Lees-McRae wouldn’t go down without a fight, though, and got a glimmer of hope with five minutes to go when Bladen released Grant Elder on the right of the penalty area, and Elder shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
The Bobcats then tied the game in the 87th minute when, after sustained pressure, Bladen picked up the ball in midfield, weaved past a defender and shot from 25 yards. The shot was blocked by the Lewis defense, but the ball caromed out to Squires on the right of the penalty area, and after taking a touch to control and move into the penalty area, he shot home to tie the game.
“I think especially after we got the second goal, we got a little too confident, possibly,” Hernandez said. “We lost the rhythm of our game, we were doing great, like coach said, for 83, 84 minutes, and they popped one in right after that, and then they got the second one. We didn’t do the job for 90 minutes.”
Lees-McRae coach Chris Whalley said while he wasn’t happy with his team’s performance, a sentiment echoed by his players, he thought the determination his side had shown was indicative of the spirit within the squad.
“I didn’t think we played very well today, but we’re very excited to be going to the national championship game,” Whalley said. “Hopefully we can play a little bit better on Saturday and hopefully get another result like this, but all-in-all, even though our play wasn’t very good, I think you’ve seen a little bit about what our character is like. We’re 2-0 down with six minutes to go, and we’ve come back and won the game, so for that I’m very, very proud of the boys.”
Paradise saved a spot kick in regulation, and then in the opening round of a penalty shootout, as the Bobcats first rallied from a two-goal deficit with 10 minutes to play in regulation and then won a shootout 5-3 against Lewis College to advance to the NCAA Division II Men’s championship after the two sides had played to a 2-2 tie after regulation and overtime at Pepin-Rood Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
“Whenever a striker approaches the ball, I kind of watch his hips, and see if he’s going to open or close them,” Paradise said. “If he opens, he’s going to open me up, and if he closes them he’s going to come across me, depending on whether he’s right- or left-footed. I just watch the hips, and I managed to get lucky a couple of times today.”
After Lees-McRae had held the better of play for most of the first half and early in the second, Lewis got the opportunity to take the lead when Lees-McRae’s Luke Staats was penalized for a handball in the penalty area. Robert McGowan stepped up for the Flyers, but his low shot to the right was turned away for a corner by Paradise.
McGowan had another chance to score from the spot when he took the Flyers first shot in the shootout, but Paradise again read him correctly, diving to his right to push his shot away, giving the Bobcats an advantage they wouldn’t relinquish.
“I figured he wouldn’t go the same way twice on me,” Paradise said. “He ended up going the other way, and I ended up guessing right again.”
All five Bobcats – Richard Guffens, David Palmer, Lee Squires, Berin Boracic and Jamie Bladen – converted their shots, putting Lees-McRae into Saturday’s championship game against No.1 Fort Lewis.
The drama of the shootout was almost matched by the drama of the final 15 minutes of the game, as Lewis appeared to have the game put away after a pair of goals by Nestor Hernandez gave the Flyers a 2-0 lead with 10 minutes to go. Hernandez opened the scoring in the 79th minute, controlling a long clearance by goalkeeper Sebastian Kieruzal in the penalty area before beating his defender and driving a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
He then doubled the Flyers lead 57 second later, first releasing teammate Charlie Bucio on a run into the left channel before peeling off into the penalty area. Bucio cut back from the byline onto his right foot, and sent a return pass to Hernandez, who shot low first-time into the net.
Lees-McRae wouldn’t go down without a fight, though, and got a glimmer of hope with five minutes to go when Bladen released Grant Elder on the right of the penalty area, and Elder shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
The Bobcats then tied the game in the 87th minute when, after sustained pressure, Bladen picked up the ball in midfield, weaved past a defender and shot from 25 yards. The shot was blocked by the Lewis defense, but the ball caromed out to Squires on the right of the penalty area, and after taking a touch to control and move into the penalty area, he shot home to tie the game.
“I think especially after we got the second goal, we got a little too confident, possibly,” Hernandez said. “We lost the rhythm of our game, we were doing great, like coach said, for 83, 84 minutes, and they popped one in right after that, and then they got the second one. We didn’t do the job for 90 minutes.”
Lees-McRae coach Chris Whalley said while he wasn’t happy with his team’s performance, a sentiment echoed by his players, he thought the determination his side had shown was indicative of the spirit within the squad.
“I didn’t think we played very well today, but we’re very excited to be going to the national championship game,” Whalley said. “Hopefully we can play a little bit better on Saturday and hopefully get another result like this, but all-in-all, even though our play wasn’t very good, I think you’ve seen a little bit about what our character is like. We’re 2-0 down with six minutes to go, and we’ve come back and won the game, so for that I’m very, very proud of the boys.”
Colleges: Skyhawks earn shot at redemption with dominant performance
TAMPA – After their side’s 8-2 victory against Le Moyne in the NCAA Division II Men’s semifinals, Fort Lewis’ seniors spoke of gaining a chance at redemption after losing in the national final as freshmen in 2006.
If Thursday’s performance is to be any indicator, it would take a massive effort by whichever side they face in Saturday’s final as the No.1-ranked Skyhawks were masterful against the No.6 Dolphins. David Barden, making his return from a broken foot suffered three weeks ago, scored a hat trick while Tom Settle had a goal and three assists as the Skyhawks put on a clinic of attacking soccer.
“We’re delighted with how we played today,” Skyhawks coach Oige Kennedy said. “All credit to our guys, it’s been four years of hard work, and it’s starting to pay off and we’ve got one more game to win.”
Le Moyne came out well, establishing high pressure on the Skyhawks’ defense, and after having a pair of opportunities denied, standout striker Angelo Reina gave the Dolphins the lead in the 16th minute, receiving a pass just outside the penalty area before spinning in-between two defenders and shooting into the right corner of the net.
The lead was short-lived, though, as the Dolphins then relaxed their pressure on the Skyhawks’ midfield, allowing them to establish their rhythm and build pressure down the flanks. Integral to that was full back Kyle Wood, who combined well with Settle to create overlaps and opportunities to center into the penalty area.
“Tommy has 24 assists and leads the nation right now, and part of it is because Kyle gets forward and gives him that support,” Kennedy said. “Also the center midfielders work hard to be in position to play that pass through, and I think we have that on the right, and we have that on the left too, so it’s very hard to stop for teams.”
With the pressure leading to corners and free kicks, Fort Lewis’ height then came into play, and led to the equalizing goal in the 23rd minute as an inswinging corner from the left by Sam Morris was flicked on by Fabian Kling, and Euan Purcell was quickest to react to the opportunity, volleying the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
The goal caused the Skyhawks to increase their pressure on the Dolphins penalty area, and after having a header from Purcell cleared off the line from another corner, the Skyhawks took the lead in the 38th minute. After a second header had been cleared off the line by Le Moyne’s Joe Viviano, the ball was swung wide to Settle on the right. His cross found Barden alone in the penalty area, and he buried his header into the right corner of the net as the Le Moyne defense – which included goalkeeper Dan St. Jacques who was making his first start since 2007 after a shoulder injury on Wednesday to regular starter Steve White had rendered him unable to play – began to show cracks.
“They were good on restarts and corner kicks, and I didn’t think we did a good job defending those,” Le Moyne coach Tom Bonus said. “That changed the game where we were up 1-0, they got two goals off restarts and came back.”
Reina had a chance to tie the game just before halftime, but his shot was well saved by Skyhawks goalkeeper Zane Well, who got down quickly to his left to maintain his side’s lead at the break.
The cracks that appeared in the Le Moyne defense at the end of the first half became holes at the start of the second, as Barden scored his second after he deflected a shot from Jeff Jennings with his chest to make the score 3-1. Five minutes later Purcell grabbed his second, tapping in after Settle’s cross from the right had been knocked down by Barden, and within a minute Barden had completed his hat trick on a shot from the left side of the penalty area.
Reina pulled a goal back for Le Moyne in the 59th minute, but the Dolphins never truly threatened to get back into the game, and a blistering strike from Settle in the 80th minute, followed by a pair of goals by Barnd just added to Le Moyne’s disappointment.
For the Skyhawks, though, the chance at redemption now looms large.
“For the three of us, it’s a second chance,” Barden said referring to himself, Settle and Wells. “Obviously we have regrets from freshman year, Zane was behind another goalie, but Tom and I were pretty much on the field for a lot of the game, looking back there, we have regrets, but we have a second chance, and I can’t say how excited we are to do it. There’s probably six or seven other boys who were with the team then that pushed us to where we are, so the second-chance boys, we’re ready to do it.”
If Thursday’s performance is to be any indicator, it would take a massive effort by whichever side they face in Saturday’s final as the No.1-ranked Skyhawks were masterful against the No.6 Dolphins. David Barden, making his return from a broken foot suffered three weeks ago, scored a hat trick while Tom Settle had a goal and three assists as the Skyhawks put on a clinic of attacking soccer.
“We’re delighted with how we played today,” Skyhawks coach Oige Kennedy said. “All credit to our guys, it’s been four years of hard work, and it’s starting to pay off and we’ve got one more game to win.”
Le Moyne came out well, establishing high pressure on the Skyhawks’ defense, and after having a pair of opportunities denied, standout striker Angelo Reina gave the Dolphins the lead in the 16th minute, receiving a pass just outside the penalty area before spinning in-between two defenders and shooting into the right corner of the net.
The lead was short-lived, though, as the Dolphins then relaxed their pressure on the Skyhawks’ midfield, allowing them to establish their rhythm and build pressure down the flanks. Integral to that was full back Kyle Wood, who combined well with Settle to create overlaps and opportunities to center into the penalty area.
“Tommy has 24 assists and leads the nation right now, and part of it is because Kyle gets forward and gives him that support,” Kennedy said. “Also the center midfielders work hard to be in position to play that pass through, and I think we have that on the right, and we have that on the left too, so it’s very hard to stop for teams.”
With the pressure leading to corners and free kicks, Fort Lewis’ height then came into play, and led to the equalizing goal in the 23rd minute as an inswinging corner from the left by Sam Morris was flicked on by Fabian Kling, and Euan Purcell was quickest to react to the opportunity, volleying the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
The goal caused the Skyhawks to increase their pressure on the Dolphins penalty area, and after having a header from Purcell cleared off the line from another corner, the Skyhawks took the lead in the 38th minute. After a second header had been cleared off the line by Le Moyne’s Joe Viviano, the ball was swung wide to Settle on the right. His cross found Barden alone in the penalty area, and he buried his header into the right corner of the net as the Le Moyne defense – which included goalkeeper Dan St. Jacques who was making his first start since 2007 after a shoulder injury on Wednesday to regular starter Steve White had rendered him unable to play – began to show cracks.
“They were good on restarts and corner kicks, and I didn’t think we did a good job defending those,” Le Moyne coach Tom Bonus said. “That changed the game where we were up 1-0, they got two goals off restarts and came back.”
Reina had a chance to tie the game just before halftime, but his shot was well saved by Skyhawks goalkeeper Zane Well, who got down quickly to his left to maintain his side’s lead at the break.
The cracks that appeared in the Le Moyne defense at the end of the first half became holes at the start of the second, as Barden scored his second after he deflected a shot from Jeff Jennings with his chest to make the score 3-1. Five minutes later Purcell grabbed his second, tapping in after Settle’s cross from the right had been knocked down by Barden, and within a minute Barden had completed his hat trick on a shot from the left side of the penalty area.
Reina pulled a goal back for Le Moyne in the 59th minute, but the Dolphins never truly threatened to get back into the game, and a blistering strike from Settle in the 80th minute, followed by a pair of goals by Barnd just added to Le Moyne’s disappointment.
For the Skyhawks, though, the chance at redemption now looms large.
“For the three of us, it’s a second chance,” Barden said referring to himself, Settle and Wells. “Obviously we have regrets from freshman year, Zane was behind another goalie, but Tom and I were pretty much on the field for a lot of the game, looking back there, we have regrets, but we have a second chance, and I can’t say how excited we are to do it. There’s probably six or seven other boys who were with the team then that pushed us to where we are, so the second-chance boys, we’re ready to do it.”
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Colleges: NCAA Division II Men's Capsules
A look at the four teams that will compete for the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer championship at Pepin-Rood Stadium this weekend.
Le Moyne Dolphins
Record: 18-2-3
Conference: Northeast-10
Coach: Tom Bonus (10th season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: Bye. Second round: def. Franklin Pierce 1-0. Quarterfinals: def. Southern New Hampshire 1-1, 3-2 in penalty shootout.
NSCAA Ranking: No.6
Team Overview: The Dolphins reached the final four on the back of forward Angelo Reina, who scored 18 goals in 23 games this season. including the game-winner against Franklin Pierce in the NCAA second round. LeMoyne has found some scoring from others, including Zach Kuzemka, who had the Dolphins goal in their 1-1 tie against Southern New Hampshire in the quarterfinals, but it appears that if you shut down Reina, who is also tied for the team lead with six assists, you have a good chance of shutting down LeMoyne.
Fort Lewis Skyhawks
Record: 22-1-0
Conference: Rocky Mountain
Coach: Oige Kennedy (1st season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: def. Colorado Mines 3-0. Second round: def. West Texas A&M 3-1. Quarterfinals: def. Cal-State Dominguez Hills 1-0.
NSCAA ranking: No.1
Team overview: Fort Lewis began the season with the loss of former Tampa Bay Mutiny coach Tim Hankinson, who resigned to take a position in India, but interim coach Oige Kennedy made sure the Skyhawks didn’t miss a beat. Beginning the season ranked No.10 in the nation, Fort Lewis romped through its regular season, losing only to then No.9 Incarnate Word 2-1 in September. The Skyhawks have three players with double-digit goals, led by Euan Purcell, who has 19 goals in 18 games. David Barden and Joe Barnd each have 10 goals apiece, while Tom Settle has recorded 16 assists. The Skyhawks have also been strong defensively, with Zane Wells recording a 0.54 goals against average for the season.
Lees-McRae Bobcats
Record: 18-2-1
Conference: Conference Carolinas
Coach: Chris Whalley (5th season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: def. Wingate 6-3. Second round: def. Anderson 3-2. Quarterfinals: def. Tampa 1-0.
NSCAA ranking: No.9
Team overview: The Bobcats reached the Final Four for the first time when a second-minute goal by Jamie Bladen was enough for victory against the University of Tampa. While it did not win its conference championship, falling to Coker College in the Conference Carolinas semifinals, the internationally-flavored squad bounced back to reel off three straight victories to get to Tampa. Bladen, from England, was at the center of that, scoring three goals, but it has been Orlando Oak Ridge graduate Berin Boracic who has provided the main firepower for the Bobcats this season with 15 goals and nine assists in 21 games. He has been ably assisted by Richard Guffens, who has scored 10 goals and added 13 assists.
Lewis Flyers
Record: 16-3-2
Conference: Great Lakes
Coach: Evan Fiffles (18th season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: def. Ashland 2-1 (OT). Second round: def. Drury 1-0. Quarterfinals: def. Charleston, WVa. 4-1.
NSCAA ranking: No.20
Team overview: The surprise team at the Final Four, Lewis went from being knocked out of the Great Lakes conference tournament in the semifinals to upsetting No.2 Drury on its home field in the second round of the NCAA tournament in a little over a week. The Flyers then came from a goal down against Charleston in the quarterfinals, scoring three goals in the final 20 minutes, to reach their first Final Four since 2000. Lewis is led offensively by Nestor Hernandez, who has scored 14 goals and added six assists, while goalkeeper Sebastian Kieruzal has a 0.52 goals against average.
Le Moyne Dolphins
Record: 18-2-3
Conference: Northeast-10
Coach: Tom Bonus (10th season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: Bye. Second round: def. Franklin Pierce 1-0. Quarterfinals: def. Southern New Hampshire 1-1, 3-2 in penalty shootout.
NSCAA Ranking: No.6
Team Overview: The Dolphins reached the final four on the back of forward Angelo Reina, who scored 18 goals in 23 games this season. including the game-winner against Franklin Pierce in the NCAA second round. LeMoyne has found some scoring from others, including Zach Kuzemka, who had the Dolphins goal in their 1-1 tie against Southern New Hampshire in the quarterfinals, but it appears that if you shut down Reina, who is also tied for the team lead with six assists, you have a good chance of shutting down LeMoyne.
Fort Lewis Skyhawks
Record: 22-1-0
Conference: Rocky Mountain
Coach: Oige Kennedy (1st season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: def. Colorado Mines 3-0. Second round: def. West Texas A&M 3-1. Quarterfinals: def. Cal-State Dominguez Hills 1-0.
NSCAA ranking: No.1
Team overview: Fort Lewis began the season with the loss of former Tampa Bay Mutiny coach Tim Hankinson, who resigned to take a position in India, but interim coach Oige Kennedy made sure the Skyhawks didn’t miss a beat. Beginning the season ranked No.10 in the nation, Fort Lewis romped through its regular season, losing only to then No.9 Incarnate Word 2-1 in September. The Skyhawks have three players with double-digit goals, led by Euan Purcell, who has 19 goals in 18 games. David Barden and Joe Barnd each have 10 goals apiece, while Tom Settle has recorded 16 assists. The Skyhawks have also been strong defensively, with Zane Wells recording a 0.54 goals against average for the season.
Lees-McRae Bobcats
Record: 18-2-1
Conference: Conference Carolinas
Coach: Chris Whalley (5th season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: def. Wingate 6-3. Second round: def. Anderson 3-2. Quarterfinals: def. Tampa 1-0.
NSCAA ranking: No.9
Team overview: The Bobcats reached the Final Four for the first time when a second-minute goal by Jamie Bladen was enough for victory against the University of Tampa. While it did not win its conference championship, falling to Coker College in the Conference Carolinas semifinals, the internationally-flavored squad bounced back to reel off three straight victories to get to Tampa. Bladen, from England, was at the center of that, scoring three goals, but it has been Orlando Oak Ridge graduate Berin Boracic who has provided the main firepower for the Bobcats this season with 15 goals and nine assists in 21 games. He has been ably assisted by Richard Guffens, who has scored 10 goals and added 13 assists.
Lewis Flyers
Record: 16-3-2
Conference: Great Lakes
Coach: Evan Fiffles (18th season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: def. Ashland 2-1 (OT). Second round: def. Drury 1-0. Quarterfinals: def. Charleston, WVa. 4-1.
NSCAA ranking: No.20
Team overview: The surprise team at the Final Four, Lewis went from being knocked out of the Great Lakes conference tournament in the semifinals to upsetting No.2 Drury on its home field in the second round of the NCAA tournament in a little over a week. The Flyers then came from a goal down against Charleston in the quarterfinals, scoring three goals in the final 20 minutes, to reach their first Final Four since 2000. Lewis is led offensively by Nestor Hernandez, who has scored 14 goals and added six assists, while goalkeeper Sebastian Kieruzal has a 0.52 goals against average.
Colleges: NCAA Division II Women's Capsules
A look at the four teams competing for the NCAA Division II Women's National Championship at Pepin-Rood Stadium this weekend.
Grand Valley State Lakers
Record: 20-0-4
Conference: Great Lakes
Coach: David DiIanni (7th season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: Bye. Second round: def. Bellarmine 1-0. Third round: def. Northern Kentucky 0-0, 5-4 in penalty shootout. Quarterfinals: def. Colorado School of Mines 3-0.
NSCAA Ranking: No.3
Team Overview: The Lakers have been strong from front to back in recording an undefeated season, recording 15 shutouts while averaging over three goals per game. Led by senior Natalja Stanski and sophomore Megan Brown, who were both named to the Daktronics All-American Division II first team on Tuesday, the Lakers also have four players who have reached double-digit goals for the season, Ashley Botts leading the team with 14 goals.
Saint Rose Golden Knights
Record: 24-0
Conference: Northeast-10
Coach: Laurie Darling Gutheil (14th season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: Bye. Second round: def. Merrimack 2-1. Third round: def. Franklin Pierce 1-0. Quarterfinals: def. California (Pa.) 1-0.
NSCAA Ranking: No.2
Team Overview: The Goldens Knights have ridden a tight, defensive squad to the Final Four, sporting a 0.25 goals against average for the season while holding their opponents to an average of six shots per game. Led by Daktronics All-American Kelly Guerin, who was also named to the Academic All-American team, Saint Rose has not conceded more than one goal in any contest this season. As a result, the Golden Knights haven’t had to have the explosive attack other sides at the Final Four have, but with five players have scored at least five goals, Amanda Deck leading the way with nine, they will have enough firepower to contend.
West Florida Argonauts
Record: 22-0
Conference: Gulf South
Coach: Joe Bartlinski (9th season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: Bye: Second round: def. North Alabama 6-1. Third round: def. Rollins 1-0. Quarterfinals: def. Carson-Newman 2-1.
NSCAA Ranking: No.1
Team Overview: Led by a powerful attack that has scored 115 goals in 22 games, the Argonauts make their second straight Final Four appearance. West Florida’s Shakira Duncan, who has scored 32 goals this season, was named the Ron Lenz National Player of the Year, succeeding teammate Shaneka Gordon, the 2008 winner. Gordon’s twin sister Shameka, Marcela Franco and Dernelle Mascall were also named All-American first-teamers. Last season, the Argonauts reached the national title game, only to lose 1-0 in double-overtime to Seattle-Pacific. They will be expecting to go one better this season.
Cal-State Dominguez Hills Toros
Record: 16-8-2
Conference: California Collegiate
Coach: Joe Flanagan (8th season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: def. Dixie State College 4-1. Second round: def. Cal State Los Angeles 2-1. Third round: def. UC San Diego 2-2, 3-1 in penalty shootout. Quarterfinals: West Texas A&M 5-2.
NSCAA Ranking: No.15
Team Overview: A year after the CSDH men won the national title, the Toros women get their chance after an impressive, if slightly improbable, run through the West region. The only side in the Final Four to have lost this season, losing eight times overall, a penalty shootout upset of No.6 Cal State Los Angeles paved the way for the Toros, and they followed it up with victory against No.13 West Texas to advance to the Final Four. Jessica Murphy led the Toros with 15 goals, while Mackenzie Pedrotti added another eight.
Grand Valley State Lakers
Record: 20-0-4
Conference: Great Lakes
Coach: David DiIanni (7th season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: Bye. Second round: def. Bellarmine 1-0. Third round: def. Northern Kentucky 0-0, 5-4 in penalty shootout. Quarterfinals: def. Colorado School of Mines 3-0.
NSCAA Ranking: No.3
Team Overview: The Lakers have been strong from front to back in recording an undefeated season, recording 15 shutouts while averaging over three goals per game. Led by senior Natalja Stanski and sophomore Megan Brown, who were both named to the Daktronics All-American Division II first team on Tuesday, the Lakers also have four players who have reached double-digit goals for the season, Ashley Botts leading the team with 14 goals.
Saint Rose Golden Knights
Record: 24-0
Conference: Northeast-10
Coach: Laurie Darling Gutheil (14th season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: Bye. Second round: def. Merrimack 2-1. Third round: def. Franklin Pierce 1-0. Quarterfinals: def. California (Pa.) 1-0.
NSCAA Ranking: No.2
Team Overview: The Goldens Knights have ridden a tight, defensive squad to the Final Four, sporting a 0.25 goals against average for the season while holding their opponents to an average of six shots per game. Led by Daktronics All-American Kelly Guerin, who was also named to the Academic All-American team, Saint Rose has not conceded more than one goal in any contest this season. As a result, the Golden Knights haven’t had to have the explosive attack other sides at the Final Four have, but with five players have scored at least five goals, Amanda Deck leading the way with nine, they will have enough firepower to contend.
West Florida Argonauts
Record: 22-0
Conference: Gulf South
Coach: Joe Bartlinski (9th season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: Bye: Second round: def. North Alabama 6-1. Third round: def. Rollins 1-0. Quarterfinals: def. Carson-Newman 2-1.
NSCAA Ranking: No.1
Team Overview: Led by a powerful attack that has scored 115 goals in 22 games, the Argonauts make their second straight Final Four appearance. West Florida’s Shakira Duncan, who has scored 32 goals this season, was named the Ron Lenz National Player of the Year, succeeding teammate Shaneka Gordon, the 2008 winner. Gordon’s twin sister Shameka, Marcela Franco and Dernelle Mascall were also named All-American first-teamers. Last season, the Argonauts reached the national title game, only to lose 1-0 in double-overtime to Seattle-Pacific. They will be expecting to go one better this season.
Cal-State Dominguez Hills Toros
Record: 16-8-2
Conference: California Collegiate
Coach: Joe Flanagan (8th season)
How they reached Tampa: First round: def. Dixie State College 4-1. Second round: def. Cal State Los Angeles 2-1. Third round: def. UC San Diego 2-2, 3-1 in penalty shootout. Quarterfinals: West Texas A&M 5-2.
NSCAA Ranking: No.15
Team Overview: A year after the CSDH men won the national title, the Toros women get their chance after an impressive, if slightly improbable, run through the West region. The only side in the Final Four to have lost this season, losing eight times overall, a penalty shootout upset of No.6 Cal State Los Angeles paved the way for the Toros, and they followed it up with victory against No.13 West Texas to advance to the Final Four. Jessica Murphy led the Toros with 15 goals, while Mackenzie Pedrotti added another eight.
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