WOMEN’S NEWS … DePaul’s 1-0 victory over Missouri propelled the Blue Demons into the Soccer America Top 25 for the first time in their 14-year history, but Coach Erin Chastain, sister-in-law of U.S. great Brandi Chastain, says she is not paying much attention.
“Anyone is capable of beating a good team on any given day,” she said. “I think our players will gain a little confidence from the Missouri game, but right now we’re focusing on Friday’s game at Iowa State.”
Freshman keeper Claire Hanold has three shutouts in her first four games. “This is really exciting for her,” Chastain said of Hanold. “She has been outstanding for us in goal.”
* Portland sophomore Danielle Foxhoven, who scored the first two goals in the No. 3 Pilots’ 4-0 win over California and both goals in 2-0 victory over Washington, heads the Soccer America Women’s Team of the Week.
* Monday Top 25 action:
— No. 10 Penn State twice rallied from one goal down to beat Connecticut, 3-2, on Monday. Nittany Lion subs Nikki Watts and Ali Schaefer provided the offensive spark that turned the game around. Schaefer set up Watts for the tying goal in the 76th minute, and Watts found freshman Christine Nairn for the winning goal less three minutes later. Nairn debuted for the U.S. national team this summer.
— In the other game at the Penn State Invitational, No. 25 BYU defeated No. 9 West Virginia, 1-0, on freshman Carlee Payne‘s golden goal.