Author Archives: Soccer America

WOMEN’S NEWS … Unranked Virginia Tech took over first place in the ACC with a 2-1 win at No. 23 Virginia on Wednesday. The game turned in the 13th minute when Virginia was awarded a penalty kick, but Hokie goalie Kristin Carden saved Lauren Alwine‘s shot.

Virginia Tech, which had never scored more than one goal against Virginia, got goals from Robin Chidester, who made a 40-yard run to the top of the box and cut a shot back just inside the far post, and Julian Johnson, who chipped a ball from 15 yards out just under the crossbar.

The Hokies will put their 3-0 ACC record on the line on Sunday when they host No. 2 North Carolina, the defending ACC and national champion.

Wednesday Results

* SILICON VALLEY SUPERCLASICO. You can bet Santa Clara players have had Thursday night’s game against No. 1 Stanford marked on their calendars. Last year, the Cardinal won, 5-0, at Buck Shaw Stadium, marking the beginning of the end of a miserable season for the Broncos, who went on to win only one conference game and finish 4-12-4.

Stanford returns to Buck Shaw as the top-ranked team in the country, but another rout is unlikely. Santa Clara is 8-3-0. Both teams have gotten great play from their freshmen.

* BATTLE OF THE FRESHMEN:
Stanford:
RB-*Rachel Quon, Eclipse Select (Should return to starting lineup this week)
CB-**Alina Gariciamendez, Dallas Texans (Only freshman to start every game)
M-Mariah Nogueira, Slammers FC (Tied for third on Cardinal with nine points)
F-*Courtney Verloo, FC Portland (Tied for second on Cardinal with five assists)

Santa Clara:
LB-*Olivia Klei, Pleasanton Rage (Has started 10 of 11 games)
M-Lauren Matheson, So Cal Blues (Scored insurance goal in big win over Notre Dame)
M-Allie Vernon, NSA Tigers (Celebrated first start with goal against Purdue)
F-Amanda Webster, Stars of Mass. (Leads freshmen with two goals and two assists)
*Represented USA at 2008 Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
**Represented Mexico at 2008 Under-20 Women’s World Cup.

SMALL COLLEGE NEWS … Northern Kentucky, the No. 1 team in the NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division II men’s rankings, fell to No. 11 after losing to Saint Joseph’s College, 2-1, on Greg Gehrig‘s late goal. Lynn took over as the top-ranked Division II men’s team. The Fighting Knights, led by Paulo Vaz (13 goals and seven assists), put their top billing on the line Saturday when they travel to battle No. 4 Tampa.

MEN’S RANKINGS:
NCAA Division II 1. Lynn, 2. Cal State Los Angeles, 3. Lees-McRae
NCAA Division III 1. Messiah, 2. Ohio Wesleyan, 3. Christopher Newport

WOMEN’S RANKINGS:
NCAA Division II 1. Seattle Pacific, 2. West Florida, 3. Saint Rose
NCAA Division III 1. Messiah, 2. Puget Sound, 3. Williams

* STADIUM OPENING. Division III Hope College opened its $5.3 million Van Andel Soccer Stadium on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Albion before 650 fans. Jeff Stusick scored the game’s only goal. The stadium dedication will take place Oct. 17 during a men’s and women’s doubleheader.

WOMEN’S NEWS … USC has overcome injuries and suspensions to its backline to return to the Soccer America Women’s Top 25 at No. 19. The Women of Troy’s 2-0 win at ranked Santa Clara on Sunday was their sixth in a row.

Goalkeeper Kristin Olsen was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player at the Women’s College Cup two years ago when USC won its first women’s title, and she could be the top keeper in the country this year. Olsen matched her career high with eight saves against Santa Clara. USC hasn’t lost since Sept. 4 when Olsen was red carded in a 1-0 loss at Ohio State.

Senior All-American Meagan Holmes has been sidelined with a knee injury since the first game of the season. Junior Ashli Sandoval moved from the midfield to fill in for Holmes but suffered a season-ending ACL injury three weeks ago. Chelsea Buehning missed last week’s Pacific game after being red carded against Oklahoma a week earlier. Junior Karter Haug will miss the first game of her career Friday when she is suspended for USC’s match with San Diego, leaving sophomore Claire Schloemer as the only defender to play in every game this season.

There is good news for USC, though. Freshmen Kelly Morgan and Stephanie Morgan have earned their first starts in the back, and Holmes could return to action soon.

Tuesday Results

* LEADING GOAL SCORERS:
1. Morgan Marlborough, Nebraska 15
2. Rachel King, Louisiana Tech 11
3. Kiersten Dallstream, Washington State 10
3. Sydney Leroux, UCLA 10
3. Britany Curry, Texas State 10
3. Victoria DiMartino, Boston College 10
3. Corky Julien, James Madison 10
3. Kelley O’Hara, Stanford 10
3. Whitney Palmer, Oklahoma 10
(Through games played Sept. 27.)