USD Women's Soccer 1999

1999 UNIVERSITY ot' SAN DmGo ToRERO WoMEN's SoccER

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NCAA Playoffs During Millennium Curtain Call

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Selection for the 1998 NCAA Women's Soccer Tourna– ment was not a pleasant experience for the University of San Diego women 's soccer team. Despite the second best record in USO history ( 12-6-2) and a 4-2-1 West Coast Conference record in one of the nation 's elite soccer conferences, the Toreros were denied an opportunity to dance in the post season. For 1999, USO is focused on returning to the NCAA Women 's Soccer Tournament for the second time in program history. "j)ou111. ~a.M'J> ~Hlf~M USO posted a five match improvement from their record in 1997 - one of the largest turnarounds in league history. San Diego returns 14 letter-winners from last year 's squad which placed third in the powerful WCC in 1998. All-WCC First Team member, senior midfielder A li son Benoit (Cedar Hill , TX), returns after competing with the United States National 'B' Team during the summer. Senior capta ins Heather Swanson (Irvine, CA) and Vanessa Thiele (West Hills, CA), key one of the strongest defensive units on the West Coast. Swanson earned All-WCC Second Team acco lades in 1998, while Thiele earned honorable mention recognition. The USO offense shou ld get an additiona l boost with the addition of senior striker, Sufia Wali (Las Vegas, NY), who transferred from cross-town rival San Diego State, after helping the Aztecs advance to the third round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament. "/)01'J£H1'L 01HM£ ~Hlf~M Despite losing the most prolific goal scorer in USO sing le-season history (Aimee Wagstaff; 14 goals, 34 points), the Toreros return three of their top five goa l scorers from a year ago, led by Benoit (seven goals, two assists) and Thiele (five goals, one assist). USO set program records in goa ls (52) assists (46) and total points ( 150) in 1998 and look for more fireworks in 1999. Junior midfielder, Claire Curri e (Downey, CA) scored five goa ls and added six assists in 1998, whi le senior forward , Jessica Crothers (Mesa, AZ) , tallied four goa ls and five assists as a junior. Overall, USO returns eight players who scored at least two goals last season.

io1oe"" ~ocm Clt.11 ol 1999 - Back Row (1-r): Sufia Wal· J · c th Al' ,. ess,ca ro ers, ,son Benoit, Kendra Wales, Vanessa Thiele Front Row (1-r): Kristina Miranda, Marya Young, Heather Swanson "/)1f1HM 4-1£ '1) " '1-11 'kf]> Once again the Toreros look to be set defensively with a stingy squad of returners who allowed just 30 goals ( 1.5 per match) last year. Swanson, a three year starter and three-time team captain, and Thiele have orchestrated the USO defense for the last three seasons and look to turn in another masterpiece in their career finales. Sophomore defender, Jamie Gibson (Long Beach, CA), started every match for USO as a freshman. ijHt,JHI! t./1£ "/)'1'J)£~ Sophomore goalkeeper, Leila Duren (Branson, CA) returns for USO after starting 18 games in 1998. Duren posted a 1.04 GAA with two shutouts during her freshman season. Sophomore Caley Cook (Redmond, WA) , did not all ow a goal in 244 minutes of action last season. 1-J£H Co,M, Co11H~£'1C£ 1-J,41cµ Any doubt as to whether the West Coast Conference was a powerful force in women's soccer should have been answered last season as Portland and Santa Clara each ad– vanced to the 1998 Women 's Soccer Final Four. The Toreros competed well among the nation 's elite and lost a tough 1-2 match to fifth-ranked Portland at Torero Stadium on October 23 and fought ninth-ranked UCLA to 2-2 stalemate September 27. USO wil l have intense competition to finish third in the WCC, let alone improve upon last year 's 4-2-1 third place finish. Competition in the WCC figures to be even tougher in 1999 as Santa Clara and Portland both rank in the top five in most pre-season polls. Loyola Marymount returns a squad who posted a remarkab le turnaround from 1997 and battled USO to a score less tie in 1998. 1'0~7.11 C,4~0L111,4 San Diego's first women's soccer tournament, the 1999 USO Women 's Soccer Puma Classic (Oct. 1-3), will boast arguably the best tournament field on the West Coast in its debut. The Tarheels of North Caro lina, winners of 15 national champ ionsh ips invade Torero Stadium along with the Bruins of UCLA and the Homed Frogs of Texas Christian.

.,4ti~o" ijeiJoit 1999 A II-WCC First Team