BRONCO INVITE - Hosted by Boise State University
Gonzaga Bulldogs (0-2-0, 0-0-0 West Coast)
vs.
Air Force Academy Falcons (2-0-0, 0-0-0 Mountain West)
Boas Tennis and Soccer Complex, Boise, Idaho - Friday, Aug. 26, 1:30 p.m. PT
Boise State Broncos (0-2-0, 0-0-0 Mountain West)
Boas Tennis and Soccer Complex, Boise, Idaho - Sunday, Aug. 28, 1 p.m. PT
BRONCO INVITE ON TAP: The Gonzaga University women's soccer team hits the road for the second-straight weekend; this time heading to Boise, Idaho for the Bronco Invite hosted by Boise State University. The Bulldogs open the two-match invite with a contest against Air Force Academy Friday, at 1:30 p.m. The Zags then close out the weekend against the host Broncos Sunday at 1 p.m.
A TOUGH OPENING WEEKEND FOR BULLDOGS: The Gonzaga University women's soccer team opened its 2011 season with a though two-game roadswing in the Midwest this past weekend. The Bulldogs fell to then-No. 24 University of Illinois Friday, Aug. 19 in a first-ever matchup with a Big 10 Conference opponent and then dropped a close 1-0 game to Loyola University Chicago on Sunday, Aug. 21.
ABOUT AIR FORCE ACADEMY: Air Force Academy heads into the Bronco Invite with the best record of the four teams participating at 2-0. The Falcons opened the 2011 season with a 4-1 victory over the Colorado School of Mines and a 4-0 win over Colorado State-Pueblo. Air Force is led by freshman McKenna Fox who has tallied three goals and notched one assist on the new year for seven total points. Fox recorded the Falcons' first hat trick in nearly 10 years when they blanked CSU-Pueblo Sunday.
ABOUT BOISE STATE: Boise State University, hosts of the Bronco Invite, currently holds a 0-2-0 record. The Broncos opened 2011 hosting the Soccer Etc./Nike Classic and dropped a heartbreaking 4-3 double-overtime decision to the University of Montana, who scored the winning goal in 108th minute, in the opening match. Boise State then fell 2-0 to the University of Oregon.
BROWN SOLID BETWEEN THE POSTS: Gonzaga University women's soccer goalkeeper Susan Brown, a transfer from Arkansas State University, was solid between the posts for the Bulldogs in their opening weekend of play. Brown recorded 11 saves in GU's 5-1 setback to No. 24 University of Illinois, Aug. 19.
NEWCOMERS HOOK UP FOR FIRST GOAL OF SEASON: Gonzaga University women's soccer freshmen Tori Lee and Katey Pennington each had a first in a Bulldog uniform this past weekend. Pennington, a defender from Boise, Idaho, and Lee, a midfielder from Kirkland, Wash., combined for the Bulldogs first goal of the 2011 season, coming in their 5-1 setback to No. 24 University of Illinois, Aug. 19. The play started with GU's first corner kick of the final half. Illinois wasn't able to clear the corner taken by Lee and freshman Katey Pennington neatly gathered the loose ball and found the head of Lee, who had made her way back towards goal.
SCHEDULE TO PROVIDE CHALLENGES FOR GU: Gonzaga University women's soccer has put together another impressive schedule in 2011. This year's slate features six opponents who participated in last year's NCAA Women's Soccer Championship and five teams who are currently ranked in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) - Continental Tire 2011 Top-25 poll. Currently ranked in the Top-25 poll are: No. 4 University of Portland, No. 16 Santa Clara University, No. 19 University of Illinois (L, 5-1), No. 22 University of San Diego and No. 23 University of Washington. Three other 2011 opponents are receiving votes in the poll: Pepperdine University, Loyola Marymount University and Washington State University.
COACHES TAB ZAGS TIE FOR EIGHTH: The West Coast Conference coaches have tabbed Gonzaga University women's soccer to finish tied for eighth with the University of San Francisco this season. Both teams received 13 points in the voting process. Even with the addition of national powerhouse BYU, the coaches still believe seventh-ranked University of Portland is the team to beat, receiving six first place votes and collecting 61 points. Fifteenth-ranked Santa Clara University (53 points and two first place votes) and BYU (53 points and one first place vote) were picked as the runner-ups in the league. Rounding out the rest of the league is the University of San Diego (47 points), Loyola Marymount University (33 points), Pepperdine University (31 points), Saint Mary's College (20 points), Gonzaga and San Francisco.
ABOUT GONZAGA UNIVERSITY: Amy Edwards begins her third year at the helm of the Gonzaga University women's soccer squad and welcomes back 13 players from last year's squad and has added eight newcomers to this year's team. Leading this mix of youth and veterans this year ARE senior forward Sarah Rhodes and junior defender Morgan Manchester. Last year, Rhodes led the team in goals (6) and points (16) and Manchester recorded the most minutes (1814) than any of the returners. Also leading the team in the back will be junior goalkeeper Susan Brown, who comes to Gonzaga after playing two years at Arkansas State University. With Brown as the Bulldogs goalkeeper, newcomers Jordan Travis, Katey Pennington, Cricket Harber will play in the back line, Tori Lee and Kasey Rubosky in the midfield and Mikayla Anderson up front.
BULLDOGS VICTORIOUS IN FRIENDLY MATCH: Gonzaga University showed a lot of potential in its 4-0 exhibition match win against Central Washington University at Gonzaga Soccer Field Monday. Freshman forward and Spokane native Mikayla Anderson scored a pair of goals in a span of nearly two minutes while freshman midfielder/defender Kasey Rubosky and senior forward Sarah Rhodes each tallied one.
GEERDTS OUT FOR THE YEAR: Gonzaga University will be without sophomore forward Cassie Geerdts this season, as she suffered a leg injury during training camp. Geerdts was a key player to the Bulldogs last season, scoring three goals and leading the team with seven assists for a total of 13 points.
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS LIVE: All Gonzaga University home matches will be video streamed and available via live stats 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. Fans can also follow head coach Amy Edwards at www.twitter.com/amyedwards. You can also get instant game scores and updates at the official Bulldog athletic twitter site at www.twitter.com/GonzagaBulldogs.
