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San Diego State Women's Soccer Looking for a Repeat Performance
Aztecs' record-breaking season in '98 fuels optimism.
Aug. 27, 1999 Encore! Encore! That's the cry around the San Diego State soccer program as the Aztecs come off a record-setting 1998 campaign. The main question would seem to be: can they carry on the momentum generated by a school-record 19-3-1 record. a conference title, and a first ever appearance and victory in the NCAA Tournament? All indications point to a positive response. At least the nation's coaches and writers believe in the Aztecs as they are ranked 13th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) pre-season poll and 12th in Soccer America's poll. Seven of 11 starters return for the 1999 season, but three of the departed seniors were athletes who helped form the core of last year's squad. Foremost among the losses is midfielder Catherine McGuire, the heart and soul of the '98 Aztecs. McGuire, a third-team All-American, left SDSU as the program's all-time assist leader and number-two goal scorer and total points leader. However, her influence will still be felt this fall as she assumes a graduate assistant coaching spot, with assistant Gretchen Zigante, under head coach Chuck Clegg. Even with these key losses, the Aztecs appear to have enough returning and new talent to continue to maintain their place among the nation's top-ranked programs. The strength of the 1999 SDSU squad begins at the back where the Aztecs have a pair of standout goalkeepers in senior Katherine Judkins and sophomore Linnea Quinones. Judkins was one of the top keepers in the nation last year, finishing among the top 10 in the nation with a 0.61 goals against average. Quinones, who saw action in six games as a true freshman, is the starting goalie for the Mexican National Team that competed at the '99 Women's World Cup Tournament and took the silver medal at the Pan American Games in Canada this past August. The Aztecs have enough talent between the veterans and newcomers to again be solid in the back. Fay deLeon, a freshman All-American a year ago, and sophomore Carrie Hawkins will anchor the back line with senior Kelly Grogg. Grogg, who logged eight assists last fall, succumbed to a season ending ACL knee injury vs. TCU at the WAC Tournament in November. Joining them will be junior Alicia Orsini, best know for her long throw-ins that accounted for a pair of assists in 1998. Among the candidates to join this trio are Hannah Garl, Serena Pearson and Bethany Robinson. Garl, Pearson and Robinson are freshmen whose club teams won state championships in Washington, California and Utah respectively. Pearson's ODP state team won the Kusatsu Sports Festival Championship in Japan this summer. Two starters return in the midfield, Far West Region third-team selection Elicia Petre and sophomore Kaycee McElree, a Freshman All-Region choice last season. Three newcomers stand out as potential starters in the midfield: senior Megan Mattes, junior Danielle Small and freshman Michelle Wagner. Mattes come to San Diego State from the University of Vermont where she was an All-Region selection who set a school record for goals scored during her three seasons there. Small, a transfer from University of Mobile, is a native of Australia who most recently competed for that nation's U-21 side at the Nordic Cup in Iceland. Wagner also competed on the ODP state team that won the Kusatsu Sports Festival Championship in Japan. The return of senior Lori LaCoursiere at forward ensures that SDSU will have firepower up front. LaCoursiere, a three-time Far West Region All-American and former conference Freshman of the Year, is SDSU's all-time leader in goals scored and total points, and could become the team's career assist leader before the season ends. Other veterans at the forward spot include junior Katie Hamilton and redshirt freshman Kristina Ortiz. Adding to the scoring potential on the front line will be newcomer Tina Atwood, a transfer from Rockford (Illinois) College where she was the number-two scorer in NCAA Division III in 1998 with 37 goals. Freshman Lindsi Parnell joins the team from the Southern California Blues Soccer Club. The Aztecs face another challenging schedule this fall, highlighted by matches against nationally-ranked contenders William & Mary, UCLA and Brigham Young. They are also aiming to capture a league title in their first season in the new Mountain West Conference.
With a combination of returning veterans and quality newcomers, the
Aztecs should be taking some bows once again in 1999. Encore! Encore!
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