Women's Soccer Pursues NCAA Bid
11/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 2, 2004
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gonzaga University women's soccer team (11-8-0, 3-3-0 WCC) will be in action on Saturday as the Bulldogs travel to play the University of San Francisco in a 1 p.m. West Coast Conference match at Negoesco Stadium. This will be the final regular season match for the Zags as they make a push for their inaugural berth in the NCAA Women's College Cup tournament.
LAST TIME OUT: The Gonzaga University seniors were shinning in their final match at Martin Field as they had a hand in all three goals in the 3-0 Senior Day shutout over Saint Mary's College on Sunday. Senior forward Walker Loseno scored twice, senior midfielder Sarah Hawkins scored once and senior defender Natalie Hardin tallied one assist. The win marked the second Senior Day victory in head coach Shannon Stiles six seasons at Gonzaga. In the 17th minute Loseno recorded her first of two goals when junior defender Stacey Sarro skied a cornerkick into the center of a crowded goal box and Loseno headed the ball into the back of the net. GU added to its lead in the 42nd minute when Hardin launched a cross into the middle of the goal box which found the feet of Hawkins who hit a rocket shot past the SMC goalkeeper. GU put the game out of reach on Loseno's second goal of the match when she hit a one-timer off a cross from Beth Drollinger.
NCAA POST SEASON: Gonzaga University is in a must-win situation this weekend when they play the University of San Francisco. If the Zags win they will tally 12 wins for in the season and will have a 4-3-0 mark in the West Coast Conference. GU is hoping that 12 wins and a fourth place finish in the WCC will be a strong enough argument to the selection committee for the Bulldogs to earn an at-large bid into the NCAA Women's College Cup tournament.
ZAGS TIE A RECORD: With the 3-0 shutout over Saint Mary's College on Sunday the Bulldogs have tied the single season wins record at 11 and also secured their second winning season in program history. Last season the Bulldogs finished 11-8-0.
WALKER'S BIG DAY: Gonzaga University senior forward Walker Loseno's two-goal performance was the third in her career. During Loseno's freshman season she tallied two multi-goal performances, one against Whitman College on Sept. 3, 2000, and the other against Eastern Washington University on Oct. 4, 2000. Her two goals moved her into a tie for fourth all-time in goals scored with 13. Loseno has tallied five goals this season, one short of her single-season career best of six that she reorded as a freshman.
GU'S SISTER ACT: Gonzaga University's identical twin sisters Annie and Sarah Hawkins have been a solid force on offense for the Bulldogs this season. The sisters are one and two in total points with Annie leading the way at 17 and Sarah right behind her with 14. Annie leads the team in goals scored with seven, placing her in sixth in single-season goals scored. Sarah leads the Zags in assists with four which ties her for seventh in single-season assists.
ZAGS ROAD WOES: With Gonzaga University's post season hopes on the line this weekend, the Bulldogs will have to improve upon their road record which stands at 4-6-0. GU's last road win came on Oct. 8 when the Zags defeated the University of Idaho, 2-1. Despite having a losing record on the road the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 13-12.
SHUTOUT SPECIAL: Gonzaga University has been part of three consecutive shutout matches. The Zags were on the losing end of the first two matches to No. 5 Santa Clara University and to the University of San Diego. The Zags then bounced back with a 3-0 shutout over Saint Mary's College this past weekend.
SCOUTING THE DONS: The University of San Francisco Dons enter the week with a overall record of 9-7-3 and a 2-4-0 mark in the West Coast Conference after dropping their last match to No. 6 University of Portland. The Dons hold a 10-1-0 all-time record over the Bulldogs. The Dons are led offensively by a pair of seven-goal scorers in Chelsea Hunt and Shuree Hyatt. The duo have also tallied three assists apiece to share the team lead in points 17. The defense is led by goalkeeper Stephanie Ball who is posting a 1.02 goals-against-average, recorded 77 saves and has amassed six shutouts.
LIVE ON THE INTERNET: All Gonzaga University home matches as well as all West Coast Conference road matches will be available via Gametracker on the internet at http://www.gozags.com. Check the Gonzaga web site for all Gametracker links.
THE STILES FILE: The first female head women's soccer coach in the history of the West Coast Conference, Shannon Stiles enters her sixth season at Gonzaga with the program coming off the most successful season in school history. The Bulldogs posted their first winning season in school history with an 11-8-0 record and a 3-4-0 mark in WCC play. The three wins in WCC play surpassed the previous total of two conference wins Gonzaga had collected during 10 previous seasons of WCC play. For her efforts Stiles was named WCC Coach of the Year. Her overall record as a collegiate head coach is 38-72-2, making her the winningest coach in program history.
