Bulldogs Face Nearby Rivals In Non-Conference Finale
9/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 30, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Gonzaga Bulldogs (4-6-1, 0-0-0 WCC)
vs.
Washington State Cougars (4-6-0, 0-0-0 Pac-10) Lower Soccer Field, Pullman, Wash. - Friday, Oct. 1, 3 p.m. PDT
Eastern Washington Eagles (0-8-1, 0-0-0 Big Sky) Gonzaga Soccer Field, Spokane, Wash. - Sunday, Oct. 3, 1 p.m. PDT
THIS WEEK: The Gonzaga University women's soccer team conclude its non-conference schedule this weekend against its two in-state rivals. The Bulldogs kickoff the weekend Friday in Pullman, Wash., to face Washington State University at 3 p.m. The Bulldogs return to Gonzaga Soccer Field Sunday and host Eastern Washington University at 1 p.m. Sunday's match against the Eagles is also the beginning of a four-match homestand for the Bulldogs, the longest homestand of the season.
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS LIVE: All Gonzaga University home matches will be video streamed and available via Gametracker on the internet at http://www.gozags.com. Check the Gonzaga website to sign up for live video streaming.
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS ON TWITTER: Follow every step of the Gonzaga University's women's soccer season at www.twitter.com/zagswsoccer. You can also get instant game scores and updates at the official Bulldog athletic twitter site at www.twitter.com/GonzagaBulldogs.
COMING UP: Following the match against Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University will play the seven remaining matches of the season in West Coast Conference play. With one match scheduled next weekend, the Bulldogs host three-time defending WCC champion University of Portland Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. The Pilots are currently ranked No. 4 in both the National Soccer Coaches Association of America-HendrickCars.com and Soccer America rankings.
ABOUT THE BULLDOGS: Gonzaga University split its last two home contests last weekend. Despite scoring the first goal of match, the Bulldogs couldn't hold on to the lead as now 16th-ranked University of Southern California rallied back and won the match 2-1 in overtime Friday. The Bulldogs bounced back from the loss and defeated Portland State University 1-0 Sunday. Senior midfielder Catherine Cullen scored her first goal of the season against the Trojans and freshman forward Cassie Geerdts scored her first collegiate goal against the Vikings.
CULLEN SELECTED WCC PLAYER OF THE WEEK: For her performance last weekend against the University of Southern California and Portland State University, senior midfielder Catherine Cullen was named West Coast Conference women's soccer Player of the Week. Cullen scored a goal and an assist in the last two contests.
ABOUT HEAD COACH Amy Edwards: The 2010 season marks the second year for Amy Edwards at the helm of the Gonzaga University women's soccer team. Edwards is in her sixth year as a NCAA Division I head coach and has a career record of 59-43-37. After getting to know Edwards' style of play, the Bulldogs have developed a mindset of being aggressive on attacking opponents.
SCORE FIRST TO WIN: When Gonzaga University scores the first goal in a match, it can hold onto the lead and get the win. The Bulldogs are 3-1-0 when they score first. Their opponents are 5-1-1 when they strike first.
ZAGS ON THE ASSIST: With a combined total of 16 assists recorded this season, Gonzaga University is tied for second in the West Coast Conference with Loyola Marymount University. Senior midfielder Sheridan Jones and freshman forward Cassie Geerdts both lead the Bulldogs in that category with three while two others have both recorded two and six have one.
ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY: Friday's match against Gonzaga University will be Washington State University's first since Sept. 18. The Cougars also return home for the first time since their season-opening invitational in late August. Recently the Cougars won the Outriggers Hotels and Resorts Soccer Classic, defeating the University of Hawai`i 3-0 Sept. 17 and Pepperdine University 1-0 the next day to claim the tournament title.
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY: Eastern Washington University is still searching for its first win of the season. Last week the Eagles lost to the University of Idaho. On Sunday the Eagles also lost to currently 16th-ranked University of Southern California 5-1 in Cheney. Sunday's meeting will be the 16th all-time with the Zags leading 11-3-1. The Zags will also look to extend their series winning streak to eight.
SCHEDULE ONCE AGAIN PROVIDING CHALLENGES: Similar to the 2009 season, Gonzaga University is facing another challenging schedule this season. On this year's schedule, seven of 20 opponents were participants in the 2009 NCAA Tournament and four opponents were ranked in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America-Hendrickcars.com and Soccer America preseason polls. In last year's NCAA Tournament, No. 5/3 University of Portland and No. 6/9 Florida State University reached the quarterfinals; No. 9/10 Santa Clara University reached the third round; No. 21 (NSCAA only) Washington State University and San Diego State University reached the second round, and University of Denver and No. 19/20 University of Southern California appeared in the first round.
JONES RANKED IN TOPDRAWERSOCCER.COM: Since its first weekly release on Sept. 2, TopDrawersoccer.com, an online college soccer website, has ranked senior midfielder Sheridan Jones every week in the Top 100 players to watch in the nation. She is currently ranked No. 56. In addition, TopDrawersoccer.com has Jones ranked No. 7 on the player watch list for the West Coast Conference.
JONES, RILEY CHASING HISTORY: As they enter their final season in their collegiate careers, seniors Sheridan Jones and Ashley Riley will look to exit holding the career record for assists. After notching a pair of assists on Sept. 10 against the University of Colorado, Jones now sits in a tie for second with Christine Soma (2004-07) in the program's all-time list with 12. Riley sits in a five-way tie for fourth with nine. Sara Streufert (1997-00) holds the record with 15.
AMES STAYING STRONG: Redshirt junior goalkeeper Lauren Ames, who sat out the 2009 season due to injury, has not missed a minute this season. In the record books, she currently sits third in career shutouts (11), first in fewest goals allowed (49) and is tied for sixth in saves (159).
ZAGS PICKED TO FINISH SEVENTH IN WCC: The Gonzaga University women's soccer team has been selected to finish seventh in the West Coast Conference 2010 preseason poll voted by the coaches. The Zags received 12 points to finish ahead of the University of San Francisco's 11. Gonzaga finished the 2009 season 8-12-0 overall and 2-5-0 in the WCC. Three-time defending WCC champion University of Portland has been favored to successfully repeat as champions. The Pilots garnered seven-of-eight first place votes while receiving 49 points. Santa Clara University received the other first place vote and 41.5 points as the Broncos were selected to finish second.
