Women's Soccer Continues Upward Trend in 2014
12/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SPOKANE, Wash.—Gonzaga's women's soccer team took a big step forward in 2014, seeing its most successful season since 2007 in many different measures. Here's a look back at the season and what the Bulldogs improved on from years past:
Nine Feelin' Fine: The Zags ended the year with a .500 record at 9-9-1, their first season at .500 or better in the last eight seasons (since 2007).
Climbing the Ranks: Gonzaga has moved up the West Coast Conference ladder in each of the last four years, closing out 2015 in fifth place. With a 4-4-1 conference mark, the Zags reached four conference wins for the first time in program history, finished with a .500 record or better for the second time in program history, and finished in the top half of the conference for the third time.
Building the Wall: In each of the last the three seasons, the Zags' goals-against average (GAA) has decreased. This year, the Zags allowed just 1.32 goals per game, down from 1.39 in 2013. This year's mark is the lowest GAA since 2007 when they allowed less than one goal a match.
The Full 90: The Zags continually got more dangerous as the match progressed, scoring 15 goals in the second half of matches this season and netting seven goals in the 80th minute or later. They scored with 10 seconds left in the period twice: Cassie Geerdts netted a game-winner with 10 seconds left in double-overtime at Bakersfield, and Brittany Doan forced overtime with a tally at the 89:50 mark at North Texas.
All-WCC Honors: Five players took home WCC Honors this season, headlined by the Zags' first First Teamer since 2008 as Heather Johnson was named to the top postseason conference squad. Four additional Bulldogs - Karley Baggerly, Aliyah Miller, Katey Pennington, and Christie Tombari - earned All-WCC Honorable Mention, giving the Zags' their most conference honorees since 2007.
The Beautiful Game: The Zags established an identity in 2014, improving their quality of play. They were able to press on the defensive side and turn those turnovers into scoring chances by possessing the ball and creating dangerous opportunities in the final third.
An Adoring Crowd: In 2014, an average of 553 people came out to Gonzaga women's soccer games, among the top 80 attendance figures in the nation and fifth in the West Coast Conference, outdrawing NCAA Tournament third-round participant Pepperdine. On Sept. 12, the Zags drew 1,441 fans against Washington State, setting a Luger Field facility record for any soccer match, men or women.
Zags in the Record Books: Numerous Bulldogs moved up in GU's career record books. Tombari moved into third all-time with a career goals-against average of 1.39 (1.33 in 2014), fourth with 11 career shutouts (five in 2014), and she took eighth in the career saves column with 168 (86 in 2014). Johnson is now tied for seventh with 13 career goals (five in 2014) and tied for ninth with 31 career points (12 in 2014). Both Pennington and Tori Lee ended their careers on the top 10 assists list as Pennington finished fifth with 11 assists (four in 2014), and Lee tied for sixth with 10 (one in 2014).
In the Rankings: The Zags raised eyebrows across the region and the nation this season, earning numerous spots on regional and national rankings. Gonzaga spent four of the last five weeks of the season in the NSCAA West Regional poll, and the squad finished among the top 100 of two national rankings services by coming in at 98th in the Bennett Poll and 99th in the Massey Ratings.
Down but Not Out: Going down a goal didn't faze the Zags in 2014 as they tallied four comeback results. Three of those were victories; the Zags were down against North Texas, Saint Mary's, and San Francisco before coming back to win. At San Francisco, Gonzaga ceded the first match's two goals before roaring back for a 3-2 victory, the program's first win after being down two goals since 2004. The Zags also tied one match after conceding first, going down 1-0 to No. 11 Pepperdine before finding an equalizer and preserving a draw with the Waves.
You Don't Scare Us: With a 1-1 draw against then-No. 11 Pepperdine Oc. 26, the Zags earned their first point off a ranked team since 2007. Gonzaga played two ranked teams this season, Pepperdine and then-No. 23 BYU in Provo, Utah, Oct. 11. The Zags kept the Cougar offense in check for the first hour of the match before conceding in the 60th minute while still creating scoring opportunities for themselves.
More Awards: Pennington and Tombari earned additional postseason awards as College Sports Madness named the pair to their All-WCC teams. The outlet gave First Team All-WCC Honors to Pennington and Second Team designation to Tombari. Lee also picked up a weekly award, taking home WCC Player of the Week honors from College Sports Madness on Oct. 7 after scoring two game-winners the weekend prior, including a tally directly off a corner kick which was the top play in the WCC that week.
Gonzaga in 2015: The Zags will see seven players graduate before next season, but the 2015 squad will return numerous key players from 2014. First Team All-WCC midfielder Heather Johnson and creative forward Karley Baggerly will continue to have a huge presence in the offense. In defense, experienced center back Sarah Carter and workhorse midfielder Aliyah Miller will both serve as large deterrents in front of the GU goal. There, Christie Tombari will again patrol the goalposts and continue her climb in the all-time GU goalkeeper rankings.
