Aug. 26, 2002
SPOKANE, Wash. -
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Air Force Tournament
Saturday, Aug. 31-vs. Air Force, 3 p.m. PST
Monday, Sept. 2-vs. University of Iowa, 10 a.m. PST
BULLDOGS BEGIN SEASON ON THE ROAD: The Gonzaga University Bulldogs begin the 2002-03 regular-season Saturday afternoon against the Air Force Academy Falcons in the first-round of the Air Force tournament in Colorado Springs, Col. Tournament action continues Monday when the Bulldogs meet the University of Iowa Cyclones at 10 a.m. PST. The Bulldogs opening weekend marks the first leg of a five-match road schedule before they return to familiar turf for their first home appearance Friday, Sept. 20 against the Portland State University Vikings at Martin Field at 2 p.m.
VS. AIR FORCE FALCONS:The Air Force Academy Falcons are led by head coach Marty Buckley who is entering his 10th year at the helm of the Falcons women's soccer program. Buckley guided his squad to an 8-11-1 finish in 2001 and holds an 83-103-9 career record with the Falcons. Sophomore forward Jennifer Rowland returns to the front line after scoring seven goals and four assists last season. Junior goalkeeper Jennifer Monson capped her sophomore season in the net with a 1.77 goals against average and 72 saves.
VS. IOWA STATE CYCLONES: The Gonzaga University Bulldogs face the Iowa State University Cyclones during the final day of the Air Force Academy Tournament Monday at 10 a.m. PST. Rebecca Hornbacher was named interim head coach after two-year head coach Stephanie Gabbert resigned in July. Sophomore midfielder Nikki Gamble started in all 18 matches as a freshman and is the leading returning scorer, collecting three goals and two assists for the Cyclones. Sophomore goalkeeper Karen Hasselman who recorded 94 saves with 18 starts in goal highlights Iowa's defense. The Cyclones finished 3-5-2 in Big 12 Conference play with an eighth place finish.
HEAD COACH SHANNON STILES: Shannon Stiles enters her fourth season as the head coach of the Gonzaga University women's soccer team. Stiles has compiled a 10-43-2 career record while at Gonzaga. The Bulldogs finished the 2001 season 0-15-2. Stiles was also named one of five recipients of the second annual April Heinrichs/Nike Coaching Education Scholarship awarded by Nike, Inc. and U.S. National Women's Team head coach April Heinrichs in 2001.
NEW ASSISTANT COACH: Washington native Kieran Barton was hired as the new women's soccer assistant coach in June. Barton played for Gonzaga men's head coach Einar Thorarinson at Whitworth from 1989-93 while he completed a biology degree. Barton recently finished his fifth season with the United Soccer Leagues A-League Seattle Sounders. He was also a two-year member of the Premier Development League Spokane Shadow. Barton replaces Daman Haggerott who returned to Whitworth after an 18-month sabbatical.
LONGACRE INJURED: Starting sophomore goalkeeper Brooke Longacre suffered a season ending ACL injury during the second day of practice and will undergo surgery this week. The Longview, Wash., native collected 132 saves in goal last season after winning the starting position. Incoming freshman goalkeeper Ashley Haugen will fill the spot after coming off of a big win this summer with her club team as they clinched the 2002 U-18 Frank Kelly Cup title. Haugen was also awarded the Adidas Golden Glove for top goalkeeper at the USYSA championships.
WALKER LOSENO'S FUTURE EXCITING: Sophomore midfielder Walker Loseno did not see much action as a Bulldog last year because of a nagging leg injury. But she will be back this season as she looks to regain her freshman-season form when she collected six goals and two assists, landing herself on the All-West Coast Conference honorable mention list. Loseno was also invited to tryout for the Greek National team in July and was chosen among the final pool of 27 women to return for workouts in December.
NEW OPPONENTS: Head coach Shannon Stiles is leading her squad into new territory when the Bulldogs face two new opponents over the weekend. Gonzaga women's soccer will take the field for the programs first ever matches against the Air Force Academy Falcons and the Iowa State Cyclones. Additionally, a new regional foe has been added to the schedule this season as the Idaho State University Bengals visit Martin Field for the first time Friday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m.
