Aug. 13, 2001
San Diego - The bleachers are in, the field is in excellent shape and the Aztec women's soccer team is seasoned and ready for the challenges that await in the 2001 season.
Inexperience at the Division I level was a key factor in last season's final record of 8-13. Seven of the Aztecs' 11 starters in 2000 were in their first season at San Diego State. Still, the team tied for second in the conference standings and advanced to the semifinals of the MWC Tournament.
"Last year we struggled through our first losing season since 1992, and injuries were a factor," says head coach Chuck Clegg. "I really believe graduating six seniors and bringing in so many new faces disrupted our rhythm as a team. Some teams adjust to player changes but, for some reason, we didn't."
With the loss of only one starter from the 2000 squad, SDSU will look to its 17 returning letterwinners for big performances in 2001. Nine seniors will lead the team, backed by six juniors and five sophomores who will form the core of this fall's Aztec squad. Joining this mix are a pair of redshirts, two top recruits from California, plus a number of walk-ons who could have an immediate impact.
The Aztecs placed three players on the all-conference team a year ago for the fifth consecutive season. That trio will play a large part in SDSU's success this season. Seniors Linnea Qui?ones and Fay deLeon (6 goals, 9 assists) along with sophomore Kim Castellanos (10g, 1a) were all first team Mountain West Conference selections. Castellanos also earned MWC co-freshman of the year honors. Her 10 goals were the most for a first-year Aztec since Lori LaCoursiere netted 18 during the 1996 campaign.
Joining Castellanos up front will be seniors Nicole Findlay (4g, 2a) and Kim Rogers (1g, 1a). Findlay scored twice in her SDSU debut a year ago while Rogers was named to the MWC all-tournament team along with Quinones and midfielder Jane Specht (4g, 1a).
Others expected to contribute at the forward position include redshirt freshman Maria Montoya and junior Arinda Alvarez. Montoya has an excellent chance to see playing time while Alvarez had a very promising spring.
The midfield, which lost graduated starter Elicia Petre from its ranks, will be anchored by fourth-year senior Fay deLeon, who ranks third on the Aztec career assist list and will occasionally see work on defense as well. Other returning starters here include Specht and sophomore Nikki Torruella. Backing them up will be Boo Robinson, Michelle Wagner and Annette Shinn. The main addition to the midfield is the return of Danielle Small, an Australian national team player who scored a goal and an assist against China in 2000.
SDSU's 2000 MVP Hannah Garl returns to lead a defensive unit that remains intact from last season. Senior Lyn Splittgerber and junior Shawni Flint, along with Garl and sophomore Rebecca Prilaman, were relentless in tracking opposing forwards. That quartet along with reserve Serena Pearson will welcome back senior Alicia Orsini, who missed last season with an injury.
In goal, Qui?ones is the incumbent starter and arrived in training camp straight from a trip to the World Games in China. She competed for Mexico in that event as that national team's starting keeper. Backing her up at SDSU will be fellow senior Erin Haentjens, along with redshirt Stephanie Pearson.
"International experience is invaluable," noted Clegg. "Linnea and Danielle both approach the game from a different perspective. Each has that drive to better their play each day. That can't help but rub off on their teammates and it will help us become a stronger team."
Clegg's top recruits for this fall are Annie Klotovitch (Pleasanton's Amador Valley High) and Gina Salinas (Yorba Linda's Esperanza High). Klotovich, a forward, was first team all-league, MVP, offensive player of the year and third highest in league scoring in her career at Amador. Salinas played club ball for the Southern California Blues in addition to leading Esperanza as captain and defensive player of the year while earning first team all-league honors.
For the first time in recent history the Aztecs boast a roster filled with local talent. Seniors deLeon, Qui?ones and Splittgerber, junior Flint, and sophomores Castellanos, Prilaman and Torruella are all local products.
Knowing success follows success, Clegg again reached out into the community in recruiting. Christy Bickerstaff (Mira Mesa High), Kimberly Blevins (Rancho Buena Vista High), Noelle Jouglet (Helix High) and Christina Sward (Point Loma High) will all compete for positions on the 2001 squad. Each earned all-league, all-CIF and Union Tribune athlete of the week honors during impressive prep careers.
Also joining this year's squad are Misty Preciado (La Verne's Bonita High) and Katie Roche (Costa Mesa High). Roche earned Pacific Coast league MVP honors, while Preciado was the Valley Vista League's MVP.
"We are really excited about these athletes," says assistant coach Jill Young. "There is a good balance of experience and new talent at all positions. Sometimes playing at this level can be a little intimidating for new players. Coach Clegg has stressed physical fitness and technical and mental preparation with each of our players. They seem eager for the season to begin."
Clegg has compiled one of the toughest schedules in the program's history but is confident this team will rise to the task at hand. He appears to have the right mix of experience, youth, talent and positive attitude to make the coming season a successful one.
"We face South Carolina, USC, Duke, Cal, Stanford, and Santa Clara, to name a few, all before conference play begins in mid-October," says Clegg. "The returning players have a season together under their belts. With the new players, the team will have depth at all positions.
"This group has bonded and is looking forward to playing so many top 20-rated teams. That should be daunting, but doesn't seem to be for this team. They have confidence that the coming season will be exciting and successful."
After opening their season this weekend at the Montana Diadora Cup, the Aztecs are set for their home opener next Friday when they face South Carolina at 1:00 p.m. at the SDSU Sports Deck. That contest is part of the SDSU Invitational which will also have the Aztecs facing Kansas on Sunday (Sept. 9) at 1:30 p.m.