2008 Woodie Awards
New coaches, new faces, same tough competition
Womens' soccer victorious in first game of season
Megan Manley and Stefanie Ordoveza
Issue date: 8/29/06 Section: Sports
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Sophomore Danielle Spann carried the Gaels to victory, scoring two of the Gaels' three goals. The first goal for the Gaels came almost immediately as red-shirt freshman Allie Weiner scored the Gaels' first goal of the season and her first as a Gael within the first ten minutes. Less than two minutes later, Spann scored the first of her two goals, leaving the Blackbirds in a 2-0 hole.
Spann scored a second goal to give the Gaels a 3-0 lead in the second half. The Blackbirds came back scoring a goal with less than 22 minutes left in the second half. It wasn't enough. The Gaels' tight defense left the Blackbirds with no chance to bring the game closer.
The 3-1 victory starts the Gaels off on the right track; however, being picked seventh out of the eight teams in the West Coast Conference (WCC) Coach's poll, only ranking above the University of San Francisco Dons who tallied a dismal record of 4-12-2 last season, proves the competition in the conference.
The WCC includes the top two teams in the coutnry, defending National Champions Portland University and #2 Santa Clara University, both tough teams to face. The Gaels will also be competing against two other West Coast Conference teams ranked in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) pre-season's "Top 25" in the country-#20 Pepperdine, and #25 Gonzaga.
With tough competition come new faces to the Saint Mary's soccer team, looking to improve upon their 8-8-3 record from last year.
New head coach Lindsey comes to the Gaels with an impressive history. Lindsey, a former first-round draft pick in the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), played for the San Jose Cyberays. She also assisted both Texas and Colorado to impressive records as assistant coach for both programs.
The team also welcomes 11 new freshmen to the roster, including starting goalie Noelle Brown who got her first win against Long Island.
The squad also returns six starters from last season, three of which are expected to make an immediate impact this season. Returning players, midfielder Stefani Rocco '09 and forward Nikki Schrey '09, both earned All-West Coast Conference honors as freshmen last season. Rocco also garnered Honorable Mention All-WCC honors in 2005. The Gaels also welcome back senior defender Joelle Gizzi, who missed last season to an injured right ankle.
The Gaels will travel to Sacramento to take on the Sacramento State Hornets on Tuesday, August 29 and will close out the week at the Cal tournament in Berkeley.