Santa Clara Women's Soccer 2011

Discussion in 'Women's College' started by SCUFANTASTIC, Aug 4, 2011.

  1. SCUFANTASTIC

    SCUFANTASTIC Member

    Aug 31, 2009
    Club:
    FC Gold Pride
    Santa Clara has 1st practice...

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoI_xELcHok"]‪Santa Clara Womens Soccer Has First Practice‬‏ - YouTube[/ame]
     
  2. Focker

    Focker Member

    Oct 29, 2010
    Has the rise of Stanford hurt SCU?
     
  3. SCUFANTASTIC

    SCUFANTASTIC Member

    Aug 31, 2009
    Club:
    FC Gold Pride
    Stanford is tough competition. I don't think having tough competition hurts Santa Clara. Santa Clara the last few years has bounced around the 10 - 20 ranking, and they are hoping to finish higher in 2011. But Stanford was not the only team above them, so I don't think Stanford's rise directly impacts Santa Clara. Santa Clara had to play an undefeated Stanford in the tournament the last two years (with Stanford's streak ending later in the tournament on both occasions.) So perhaps being 15 minutes away from a strong team is a bad thing, in that you have to play them sooner than you otherwise might. But I would leave to one of the RPI gurus as to whether that impacts Santa Clara in a negative fashion. I personally don't think it does.
     
  4. Cliveworshipper

    Cliveworshipper Member+

    Dec 3, 2006
    As far as RPI goes, it's almost a free game. It could even raise your RPI if you lose.

    Stanford plays UP this year also, so it will be a good comparison early.

    Good Luck!
     
  5. SakiBomb25

    SakiBomb25 Member

    Nov 13, 2004
    The biggest thing that has hurt Santa Clara over the past few years, imho, is injuries. Losing Amanda Poach for a few years and Jordan Angeli were tough. Not to mention Lexi Orand didn't play up to her full potential because of injuries (maybe not injuries, but a physical condition).
     
  6. paltrysum

    paltrysum Member

    May 19, 2010
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    SCU got a great player in Blair. Bronco fans who are unfamiliar with her will be amazed by her speed and finishing ability.
     
  7. SCUFANTASTIC

    SCUFANTASTIC Member

    Aug 31, 2009
    Club:
    FC Gold Pride
    I'm not buying this. There was the one year awhile back when SCU had a losing record, and Poach and Angeli not being able to play probably impacted that year. But since then injuries haven't been too bad. You hate to see anyone miss most or an entire season but that does happen and teams have to overcome it. Or not.
     
  8. SCUFANTASTIC

    SCUFANTASTIC Member

    Aug 31, 2009
    Club:
    FC Gold Pride
    I hope this is the case. Although she is local I think most fans won't have seen her play before the 1st game. Anessa Patton was our leading scorer last year and she graduated so we need someone.
     
  9. SCUFANTASTIC

    SCUFANTASTIC Member

    Aug 31, 2009
    Club:
    FC Gold Pride
    OK, the WCC preseason polls produced the following results:


    2011 WEST COAST CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL
    Team (First Place Votes)Points 1. Portland (6)61 2t. Santa Clara (2)53 2t. BYU (1)53 4. San Diego47 5. Loyola Marymount33 6. Pepperdine31 7. Saint Mary's20 8t. Gonzaga13 8t. San Francisco13 2011 PRESEASON ALL-WEST COAST CONFERENCE TEAM


    Player
    SchoolYr.Pos. Cloee ColohanPortlandSo.M/D Danielle FoxhovenPortlandSr.M/F Natalie GarciaSan DiegoSr.D Bianca HenningerSanta ClaraSr.GK Kendall JohnsonPortlandJr.M/D Julie JohnstonSanta ClaraSo.M Olivia KleiSanta ClaraJr.D Jordan MaradaSaint Mary'sSo.M Tawni MartinoLoyola MarymountSo.F Stephanie OchsSan DiegoSr.F Michelle PaoPepperdineSo.D/M Carlee PayneBYUJr.F/M
     
  10. Headball

    Headball New Member

    Feb 11, 2009
    Club:
    AC Milan
    What is the status of Ali Vernon? Has she recovered from her injury and ready to play this year?
     
  11. SCUFANTASTIC

    SCUFANTASTIC Member

    Aug 31, 2009
    Club:
    FC Gold Pride
    Looking at the top schools and who they lost and gained:

    Portland graduated seven seniors inc. four starters: Eli Reed, Keelin Winters, Sophie Schmidt and Jessica Tsao. They have only 4 recruits to replace them and a total roster of 21, 3 of whom are goalkeepers. Portland does return a lot of scoring in Foxhaven, Capelle, Kreminski, Brooke and Frisbie. Although the Pilots have in the past gotten a lot out of unheralded recruits, this team looks much thinner to me than Portland teams of the recent past. I think Kendall Johnson is already questionable for this season. Any more injuries and there could be serious problems.

    Santa Clara graduated five seniors who had significant playing time: Annesa Patton, Maxine Goines, Kendra Perry, Lindsey Johnson and Amanda Poach. The question for the Broncos is who is going to put the ball in the net? It will probably be the way it has been the last few year; goal scoring by committee. Jenny Laponte returns from injury after missing the entire 2010 WCC season and NCAA's. Ali Vernon's return in 2010 is not clear to me at this point. Santa Clara needs their freshman to step up if they want to compete for the top spot. The good news is that their recruiting class appears to be by far the best in the WCC in 2011.

    BYU appears to have graduated only 2 senior starters: Kassidy Shumway and Nicole Gilliam. They add 5 frosh including one NSCAA all american. Most of the top WCC teams are going to Provo to play BYU except Santa Clara who gets them at home. BYU should be tough in 2011.

    San Diego is losing Addie Cartan and Jackie Zinke. They still have Stephanie Ochs and are adding Olivia Schultz who has national team experience. Otherwise their freshman class is not that distinguished. But that is usually the case, and the Toreros are always very competitive.

    LMU loses a couple of starters in Brittney Sanford and Marissa Zamora. They return their leading scorer in Tawni Martino. 5 recruits plus Netherlands international Linda Bakker.

    Pepperdine is graduating Rebecca Klamser and Haleigh Guertin. They return their top five scorers from 2010. Pepperdine has a large albeit not that distinguished recruiting class of 10 players.

    All of these teams return their goalkeepers from 2010.

    I think this is the most even division of talent since I have been following the WCC. I am going to disagree with the official prognostication and predict that Portland will stumble this year. I think BYU has the best team on paper and the most favorable schedule, but I am going with my heart and predicting that Santa Clara will come in first, BYU 2nd and Portland 3rd.
     
  12. attackerp

    attackerp Member

    Nov 4, 2009
    I somewhat agree with you that it will be a lot closer.

    Portland lost 4 great players, plus others, and its tough to replace them when your recruiting class is somewhat unknown. If Kendall is out they will have 17 field players if they don't use a goalie :). And I believe one of the recruits is coming off multiple ACL injuries. They have a tough schedule, that could prepare them for league play, if they come out injury free. I believe great coaching counts for about 2-3 key wins a year in these top programs, and they proven to have that.

    BYU is a physical program, and they have a very tough place to play. They do get SD and Port at home. But I think it could come down to the top 3's rest of schedule because SCU is at Portland, BYU at SCU and Port at BYU. If the home teams win then . . .

    Even Portland's 2012 class is small, and they have 6 seniors this year. So we shall see
     
  13. SCUFANTASTIC

    SCUFANTASTIC Member

    Aug 31, 2009
    Club:
    FC Gold Pride
    Allwhitekit.com shows Bianca Henninger the pre-season love...

    Bianca is the only WCC player to be selected as a pre-season all american.

    Also, in an earlier article, allwhitekit.com lists Bianca as the #1 prospect for potential WPS draft candidates, and says...

    Will Henninger be the first pick in the 2012 Draft? Maybe, maybe not. This might be the first season when need could trump talent since the top two are both Blue Chip prospects. Henninger could be a once in a generation talent in goal who may be the U.S.’ #1 for the next decade. There are a lot of keepers who can stop shots, but Henninger’s leadership and command of her area sets her apart from her peers.

    Foxhoven from Portland and Ochs from San Diego were # 19 and 20, respectively.

    About Foxhoven they said, "Foxhoven looked well on her way to becoming a contender for the first round…and then came 2010. The Pilot went goal crazy in 2009 with an eye-popping twenty-five goals and twelve assists but saw her offensive output tumble to eight goals and five assists, perhaps suffering from coach Garrett Smith’s relentless rotation policy throughout 2010. She took a backseat to Micaela Capelle at times last year and needs to rebound with a big year to avoid a potential further drop in a class filled with quality forwards."

    About Ochs they said, "Like a fine wine, Ochs is getting better with age after an eight goal, seven assist showing in 2010. Is beginning to assert herself as a consistent member of the U.S. U23 team. Could be a late riser into the early rounds of the 2012 draft with another strong season for the Toreros."

    Parsons and Garcia from San Diego were #52 and 71 respectively. Kreminsky from Portland was #86 and Laponte from Santa Clara #130. About Laponte it said "Purely on her questionable injury status. Bump her up about sixty spots if she’s healthy and has a good season."

    Olson from BYU was #183.

    Lindsi Lisonbee from BYU and Kendall Johnson from Portland were listed as top 5 defenders for 2013 draft.
     
  14. BroncoBear

    BroncoBear New Member

    Aug 6, 2011
    Depends how you look at it.

    On the field, it has hurt SCU in the NCAA tournament. But it's really the NCAA travel policy that has hurst SCU. Both schools are usually top 16. The NCAA has always picked sites and teams for the first weekend based on travel costs. Santa Clara and Stanford are usually top 16. Based purely on their records each would host three other opponents. But because of their proximity the higher ranked of the two usually hosts the other and two more teams. Playing another top 16 team the first weekend makes it less likely you'll advance. Playing at their place makes it even less likely. The last few years SCU was at a disadvantage. Before that Stanford was.

    Off the field, SCU and Stanford often overlap in recruiting, especially for local players. Stanford has quite visibly changed its recruiting the last few years. Last year over half their starters were minorities and 62 of their 74 goals were by minorities. Prior to Christen Press, Stanford's idea of diversity was having a redhead on the team*. I don't know how many of Stanford's recent recruits were also recruited by SCU or would have been recruited by SCU if Stanford wasn't in the picture, but I'd think that SCU would have been interested in Lindsay Taylor or Teresa Noyola.

    May be putting the cart before the horse to say Stanford's rise has hurt SCU in recruiting. Would be more accurate to say that a change in Stanford's recruiting has brought about Stanford's rise. And if SCU was interested in the same recruits, Stanford's recruiting has hurt SCU. Of course the three consecutive College Cup appearances also makes Stanford more competitive in recruiting.

    *Yes, I know they have had a minority or two before, but no where near the diversity they do now.
     
  15. cachundo

    cachundo Marketa Davidova. Unicorn. World Champion

    GO STANFORD!
    Feb 8, 2002
    Genesis 16:12...He shall be a wild ass among men
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    I see Blair & Parchinski making significant contributions in attack. Even if Parchinski flounders as an attacker, at 6', she adds a vertical dimension to set pieces. She will start somewhere, can't keep someone that big out of the lineup.
     
  16. casocrfan

    casocrfan Member

    Nov 25, 2004
    San Francisco
    What is Vernon's status?
     
  17. SCUFANTASTIC

    SCUFANTASTIC Member

    Aug 31, 2009
    Club:
    FC Gold Pride
  18. eefallen

    eefallen Member

    Sep 29, 2006
    I did not find St.Mary's in your analysis. Is there a reason for that?
     
  19. SCUFANTASTIC

    SCUFANTASTIC Member

    Aug 31, 2009
    Club:
    FC Gold Pride
    Primarily because I only did the "top" teams and they were ranked 7th by the league's own poll. They lost Alex Ciliento, Alyssa Doniak, Caroline Shevlin and Sarah Peters from 2010. They return their 3 top scorers who combined for 14 goals and 8 assists. Recruiting class not that distinguished. They have 5 keepers but none with significant college experience. They played 3 ranked teams in 2010 and had two losses and a tie. The tie was against Portland, so I anticipate that in 2011 they will be similar, not able to beat top teams but not a pushover. They will get some non-conference wins and finish below .500 in conference.
     
  20. SCUFANTASTIC

    SCUFANTASTIC Member

    Aug 31, 2009
    Club:
    FC Gold Pride
    2 - 1 over SJSU. Beautiful first goal from Ellie Rice, dribbling around several defenders to finish in far-side net. Nice 2nd goal also, redirecting on frame a ball loose in the box.

    Otherwise not that eventful a game. Expected more from Shim and Matheson in the middle. Parchinski was a late scratch and it seems questionable if Blair will play this year due to injury problems she had upon arrival. Huerta and Kleiner started on the back line and looked pretty good except for awful rookie mistake and PK with 30 seconds remaining.
     
  21. SCUFANTASTIC

    SCUFANTASTIC Member

    Aug 31, 2009
    Club:
    FC Gold Pride
  22. Time&Space

    Time&Space Member

    Sep 15, 2009
    Club:
    --other--
    Her performance at the Stanford Regional last November was one for the ages. First against Long Beach State she stole the game for her team as they were badly outplayed, then against Stanford she kept it close against the best team in the country. She will be the next great USWNT goalkeeper.
     
  23. FormerSoccerMom

    FormerSoccerMom New Member

    Aug 26, 2011
    We first saw Bianca play as a sophomore at Archbishop Mitty HS for Chad Chastain. While her punt was impressive and an offensive weapon in itself, her attitude was even more formidable! Center ref cautioned her during CCS semi-final game for taunting the opponent, very unsportsman-like and supremely cocky from our lowly opponent point of view. Fast forward to 2010 U20 WWC and twice being called for moving early on a PK, both extremely close and questionable calls. You have to give her credit for not being intimidated, for not sitting on the line after the first whistle! After all that she was still named best GK in the tournament.

    Bianca has the chutzpah, skill, confidence, and attitude necessary to excel at the highest level. We'll be cheering for this local girl all the way!
     
  24. cpthomas

    cpthomas BigSoccer Supporter

    Portland Thorns
    United States
    Jan 10, 2008
    Portland, Oregon
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think she's great. But, let's not overdo it on the two U20 WWC "early off the line" calls. Looking at the replay, they both were correct. And, they may have cost the team the cup. She's a great -- perhaps the inheritor of Hope's position -- keeper, but especially the second one was, in my opinion, a poor decision on her part. Still, I look forward to seeing her play again. As you say, she has great presence!
     
  25. SCUFANTASTIC

    SCUFANTASTIC Member

    Aug 31, 2009
    Club:
    FC Gold Pride

Share This Page