McKibben’s First Career Tally Leads Red Flash

PITTSBURGH, Pa. (Aug. 21, 2009) – Freshman Tesa McKibben notched her first career goal to break a tie and lead the Saint Francis women’s soccer team past in-state rival Duquesne in their season opener at Arthur J. Rooney field in Pittsburgh on Friday evening.

The Red Flash, who start the season 1-0, will travel to Philadelphia to play Temple in a non-conference match up on August 28 at 4 p.m.

“I’m very impressed with the way we played today,” said head coach Brenda van Stralen. “Duquesne is a tough team, and we stayed with them. A win is a great way to start the season off.”

Rachel Seibert (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) netted her first goal of the season 30 minutes into the first half to finally put a score on the board. Dukes goalkeeper Gabby Morrin deflected a pass from McKibben, and Seibert grabbed the loose ball and sent it in to put the Red Flash up 1-0. more

Naeher, Marton Garner Big Ten Women's Soccer Weekly Accolades

PARK RIDGE, Ill. – Senior goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (Seymour, Conn.) and freshman defender Lexi Marton (Aurora, Ontario) each earned Big Ten weekly awards as announced by the conference on Monday afternoon.  Naeher was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Week, while Marton was the first-ever Freshman of the Week.

Naeher and Marton were instrumental in shutting down Virginia’s offense during the Nittany Lions’ 1-0 win on Friday.  Naeher’s four first-half saves keyed the victory including a couple of point-blank shots to preserve the shut out. 

The senior captain earns her first player of the week nod since Oct. 20, 2008 and her fourth overall.  Jessie Davis (Oct. 28, 2008) was the last Nittany Lion to garner Defensive Player of the Week honors).

Marton started and played all 90 minutes of the 1-0 win over Virginia, the only freshman to do so for Penn State.  The freshman central defender keyed the Nittany Lions’ ninth-straight home-opening win and the first shutout in the home opener since a 3-0 win over George Mason. 

Penn State will be back in action on Saturday when they face West Virginia at Jeffrey Field for the Penn State Invitational.  Game time is set for 7:30 p.m., while Connecticut and Brigham Young open the proceedings at 5:00 p.m.

Heidi Sabatura Named BIG EAST Rookie of the Week

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Freshman forward Heidi Sabatura (Lawrenceville, N.J.) has been named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Week, it was announced by the league today. In her collegiate debut last week against Temple, Sabatura netted two goals and an assist in a 4-0 victory.

Villanova won its season opener for the ninth straight season and posted a shutout for the fifth year in a row. Sabatura assisted on the game's first goal in the 21st minute with a feed to sophomore Katie Ryan (Wayne, N.J.) and then helped to put the game out of reach with a pair of second-half goals. Her first collegiate goal came in the 67th minute when she beat the Owls goalkeeper on a rebound from point-blank range while appearing to simultaneously get inadvertently hit in the face.

"Heidi shows so much composure in the box and that is why she is able to finish her scoring chances," Villanova head coach John Byford said. "We saw in this game that she is a great passer as well." more

Lions Embark on Quest for 12th-Straight Big Ten Title and College Cup Berth
Head Coach Erica Walsh Returns Nine Starters for 2009 Campaign

Aug. 3, 2009

The 2009 Penn State women's soccer team reports to camp on Thursday night in Happy Valley. Training begins Friday with an exhibition match set up for Aug. 15 vs. Pittsburgh. Opening Day is Aug. 21 at home against Virginia, a night where Penn State welcomes fans to be apart of the largest crowd in Jeffrey Field history.

2009 Quick Facts

The 2009 season will be viewed by many as a bounce back season despite Penn State capturing its 11th consecutive Big Ten Championship in addition to the 2009 Big Ten Tournament title.

Third-year head coach Erica Walsh returns nine starters from a team that won 16 games, the fewest for a Nittany Lion squad since 1997. After the team's 2008 NCAA First Round exit, sights are turned to 2009 in order to recapture the glory of previous years.  In 2009, the team will have plenty of tools to send the Lions deep in the NCAA Tournament.

Leading the quest for PSU's fourth Women's College Cup appearance will be team captain and two-time All-America goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.  Alongside her will be a cast of talent and experience to guide the squad to a 12th-straight Big Ten title and a deep NCAA run.  Another Big Ten crown would place the PSU women's soccer team alongside the Michigan swimming & diving teams of 1987-98 as record holders of the most consecutive Big Ten Championships in women's sports. more

Julie Bell Returns as a National Champion

Aug. 3, 2009

EASTON, Pa. - When the Lafayette women's soccer team returns to College Hill for preseason camp in a few weeks, sophomore Julie Bell will return a national champion. Bell's club team, the FC Bucks Vipers, was victorious in the U-18 girls national championship game.

Bell's squad became the first girls team from Pennsylvania to claim a U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship, defeating Ohio Elite (OH-S) for the Under-18 Girls Francis J. Kelly Cup.

The game featured only a few scoring chances, but neither side could finish as the first half ended scoreless. Bell's teammate, Madlyn Evans, scored the game's only goal in the 58th minute to give FC Bucks Vipers the 1-0 lead over Ohio. With the win the girls completed their goal of honoring head coach Ed Leigh's son-in-law, fallen Philadelphia police officer John Pawloski, lost in the line of duty this February, for whom the team has been playing all season more

Two Nittany Lions Capture U.S. Youth National Championships
Evans, and Tribbett Lead Teams to National Championship Wins; Evans Earns Golden Boot

WORCESTER, Mass. -- The Penn State women's soccer team saw two of its own score national championships at the 2009 U.S. Youth Championships on Sunday at Progin Park. Maddy Evans took home the Golden Boot as the top offensive player in the U-18 division, leading her FC Bucks Vipers team to their first championship, while Krissy Tribbett's Colorado Rush Nike team notched a win in the U-19 division.

Evans, an incoming freshman from Glenside, Pa., scored four goals in four games, including the game winner in a 1-0 victory in the title game. The goal was scored in the 52nd minute.

The Vipers tied for first in their age group, going 2-0-1 as Evans tallied three of the team's seven goals. Her team knocked off Ohio Elite Soccer Academy 1-0, with whom they tied 2-2 in pool play. The Vipers took third in last year's national tournament.

Bucks County Courier Times/Phillyburbs.com Article on the Vipers and Evans: Click Here

Tribbett's squad finished second in pool play at 2-1, losing its only game to Eclipse Select '90 from Illinois, 2-1. One of the two victories for the Rush was a 2-1 opening pool play win over FC Delco Fury II, which has PSU sophomore Jess Rosenbluth on its team. more

Trio of Incoming Freshmen Crowned National Champions
Villanova newcomers win US Youth Soccer U-18 national championship

July 27, 2009

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Three incoming freshmen to the Villanova roster this season will enter preseason camp next week fresh off being crowned national champions at the US Youth Soccer championships in Lancaster, Massachusetts this past weekend. Defender Alexa Carugati (Newtown, Pa.), midfielder/defender Carly Edgcomb (Princeton, N.J.) and forward Heidi Sabatura (Lawrenceville, N.J.) play for the FC Bucks Vipers U-18 squad that captured the national title.

In the team's first game of the championships, Sabatura netted the game-winning goal in the 69th minute of an eventual 3-1 victory over Pleasanton Rage (Calif.). The Vipers then defeated ESC 91 Black (Okla.), 2-0, in their second game before playing to a 2-2 tie against Ohio Elite Soccer Academy. The Vipers twice tied the game against Elite in the second half, including the game's final goal in the 72nd minute. more

2009 Pitt Soccer Outlook

Pitt enters the 2009 season stronger than ever, returns nine starters and welcomes a diverse group of newcomers to a well-rounded and promising team.

A sense of optimism surrounds Pitt head women's soccer coach Sue-Moy Chin as she enters her seventh year with the program. The 2009 roster offers a perfect balance of both a well-rounded and experienced returning team alongside a promising crew of newcomers. Pitt enters this season with one of the most talented rosters in the program's 13-year history as it welcomes back 19 letterwinners and nine starters from last year's team.

By instilling a tough, defensive-minded mentality, Chin has guided Pitt to appearances in three of the last four Big East Tournaments, most recently in 2008. With its Big East Championship appearance in 2006, Pitt made history with its first-ever back-to-back post-season appearances in school history (2005 and 2006). Following last year's Big East Championship appearance, Chin has guided the Panthers to the most post-season appearances in program history. more

Kate Dylag Named Women's Soccer Assistant Coach

Former N.C. State and Central Michigan assistant joins staff

July 21, 2009

PITTSBURGH - Duquesne women's soccer coach Tim Zundel has named Kate Dylag assistant coach.

Dylag comes to the Bluff from North Carolina State, where she spent two years on the Wolfpack coaching staff as an assistant. Prior to that, she spent four seasons at Central Michigan - she was named assistant coach in 2004 after spending the previous season as a graduate assistant.

Dylag was a standout player at UNC Greensboro. As a Spartan, she was a four-year starter and was named second team All-Southern Conference in 2001 and to Soccer America's Team of the Week in 2000. One of the top teams in the SoCon, UNCG made it to the NCAA Tournament in three of Dylag's four years (1998, 2000, and 2001).  more

Walsh Announces 2009 Schedule
Nittany Lions Host 10 Regular-Season Matches; Will Face 10 NCAA Tournament Teams

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's soccer team had its 2009 schedule announced by head coach Erica Walsh on Thursday. The 11-time defending Big Ten champs will host 10 regular-season home games at Jeffrey Field as well as play 10 NCAA Tournament teams from 2008.

The 2009 slate is once again one of the toughest schedules in the nation as the Nittany Lions will take on 10 NCAA Tournament teams from last season, five of which will be home games at Jeffrey Field.

Opening the season will be Virginia, who reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, August 21 at 7:00 p.m. on Jeffrey Field. A perennial-ranked power, the Cavaliers were 15-5-3 out of the ACC.

A week later the Nittany Lions host Brigham Young, Connecticut and West Virginia in the annual Penn State Invitational at Jeffrey on Saturday August 29 and Monday August 31. The doubleheader kicks off at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday as BYU takes on UConn setting the stage for a clash between NCAA Second Round squad West Virginia and PSU at 7:30 p.m. The Mountaineers went 14-3-6 en route to a #14 NSCAA ranking in the final poll in 2008. more

2008 Hawks Year In Review

PHILADELPHIA - Posting one of the best turnarounds in the nation, the Saint Joseph's women's soccer team blended veteran letterwinners and an extremely talented rookie class for the program's best record since 2003.

Coming off an injury-plagued 2007 that saw the Hawks go 3-15-1, this year's squad quickly proved the program was back on the rise.

While falling to 0-2 to start the new campaign, the tough competition at the 14th Annual Cal Invitational soon paid off for head coach Jess Reynolds' squad. Returning to the newly resurfaced Finnesey Field, the Hawks posted back-to-back shutouts over Saint Peter's and Lehigh as freshman Cara Critchlow gained the first two wins of her career.

Saint Joseph's continued its winning trend, winning its next four games against Marist, Delaware, Drexel and Rhode Island. A season after setting the program record for longest losing streak, the 2008 Hawks set a new record for consecutive wins at six as they opened up Atlantic 10 play. more

Temple Women's Soccer Signs Five To National Letters Of Intent

PHILADELPHIA-Temple head women’s soccer coach David Jones has announced that Sara Hatton (Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek), Jackie Krostek (Mendham, N.J./West Morris Mendham), Kate Yurkovic (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin), Brittany Wollner (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown) and Gillian Kacsuta (Pittsburgh, Pa./Schenley) have all signed on to play at Temple for the 2009 season.

A midfielder, Hatton was a four-year varsity letter-winner for Timber Creek High School, leading her squad to the quarterfinals of the New Jersey state championships as a freshman. She was a First Team All-Conference and All-State selection as a junior and earned Second Team All-Conference honors this past fall.

An All-County and Daily Record Honorable Mention in 2007, Krostek twice led West Morris Mendham to a second place finish in the Iron Hills Conference. A midfielder, she was part of a West Morris squad that won the NJ North 2 Group 3 State Sectional, was a State semi-finalist in 2007 and was a Morris County Tournament semi-finalist in 2006. more

Pitt Adds Player to Fall 2009 Class

PITTSBURGH—University of Pittsburgh Head Women’s Soccer Coach Sue-Moy Chin announced on Tuesday the signing of midfielder Hayley Neal (Owings, Md./Northern) to its 2009 fall recruiting class. Pitt is bringing in a total of seven players for the upcoming 2009 season.

Neal will enroll at Pitt as a freshman in the fall. She played four years of varsity soccer at Northern High School in Owings, Md., where she guided her squad to two regional titles, two county cup championships and two second place finishes in the SMAC. As a senior, Neal led the squad in scoring (13 goals) and earned First Team All-County and Second Team All-SMAC honors. She also served as a two-time team captain and was honored with her team’s Coaches’ Choice Award. A four-year Academic Honor Roll student, Neal also earned four letters in indoor and outdoor track and field and helped set the school record in the 4x400 meter and 4x800 meter relays. She plans on majoring in engineering at Pitt. more
 

Duquesne Signs Seven to National Letters of Intent

Duquesne University head women's soccer coach Tim Zundel announced today the addition of seven student-athletes for the 2009 season.
The seven signees are (F, Hudson, N.H.) Morgan Herbert (M, Dublin, Ohio), Stephanie Rentschler (F, Sylvania, Ohio) Paige Maroney (F/M, Sylvania, Ohio), Michelle Mooren (D, Parma, Ohio), Paige Langhals (D, Strongsville, Ohio), and Barbie Rohm (D, Seneca Valley, Pa.)
Coach Zundel on his 2009 class: "Our staff has worked very hard putting this class together. We are very pleased to have such a good group of student athlete's sign with our program. We feel this group of players will mix nicely with our current squad." more
 

Walsh Adds Three Signees to an Already Top-20 Recruiting Class
Schaefer, Thomson and Watts will Join the Squad this Fall

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Head coach Erica Walsh of the women's soccer program has announced the signing of three additional recruits. This brings the total for the 2008 class to 12. Prior to the late signees the class was ranked 18th by Soccer Buzz Magazine marking the second top-20 class that Walsh has brought to Happy Valley in as many years.

Joining the nine will be midfielder Ali Schaefer (Las Vegas, Nev./Green Valley), defender/midfielder Emma Thomson (Nottinghamshire, England/Retford Oaks) and forward Nikki Watts (Berkshire, England/John O'Gaunt). Thomson and Watts will be traveling across the Atlantic to join the team while Schaefer will take the cross country trip from Las Vegas, Nevada to join the Nittany Lion squad. more

Incoming Freshman Tribbett Wins U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship
Tribbett Along with Her U-18 Colorado Rush Nike Teammates Won the Championship Game 3-0

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Incoming freshman goalkeeper Krissy Tribbett (Centennial, Colo.) and her Colorado Rush Nike teammates took home the U-18 U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship this past weekend.

Tribbett received the Golden Glove Award given to the top goalkeeper at the tournament. She recorded three shutouts in four games including a 3-0 win in the finals.

The Rush faced the defending U-17 National Champions Sting 90 out of Texas. The game remained tied till the 63rd minute when a Rush player put away the deciding penalty kick that jump started the offense. The team would go on to score two more goals as Tribbett kept the Sting at bay.

The win marks the eighth National Championship for the Rush but the first since 2001.

Davies, Schoepfer and Weimer Named to WPSL All-East First Team
Schoepfer and Weimer Led Their Squad to an Undefeated Regular Season

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Former Penn State women's soccer standout Tiffany Weimer (2002-05) along with current stars Katie Schoepfer (Waterford, Conn.) and Tara Davies (Cape May Court House, N.J.) were all named to the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) All-East First Team.

Weimer leads her squad, the SoccerPlus Connecticut, in points with 28 off 11 goals and six assists. Schoepfer, who also plays for the SoccerPlus, is not far behind with six goals and five assists good for 17 points. more

Coach Sue Moy Chin Looking Forward to Next Season

Pitt women's soccer head coach Sue Moy Chin first arrived at Pitt in 2003. Since her arrival, the program has continued to move in the right direction, earning consecutive postseason berths in 2005 and 2006. This past year the team completed an undefeated spring season and hopes to build upon that success this fall. PittsburghPanthers.com sat down with Coach Chin to talk about her beginnings in soccer and expectations for the coming season. more

Drexel Women's Soccer Releases 2008 Schedule

Philadelphia - The Drexel women's soccer team announced its schedule for the 2008 season. The Dragons will open the regular season with a home game against Iona at Vidas Field. Head Coach Ray Goon returns for his 12th season leading the Dragons. The team will return the program's all-time leading scorer, fifth-year senior Aleka Yiantsos along with All-Conference goalie Kaitlin Bond. more