Sample Image

Category: Sports

SCC soccer players set to move on

SCC Women's Soccer Signing

Solano Community College soccer players, from left to right, Erica Ramirez, Briana Scholtens, Sandy Garcia, Alexsa Gonzalez and Jessica Chase sign letters of intent to four-year universities Wednesday at the SCC gym. (Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic)

(Article taken from the Daily Republic:

http://www.dailyrepublic.com/sports/scc-soccer-players-set-to-move-on/ )

By Mike Corpos

ROCKVILLE — If it says something about an athletic program when it sends players on to the next level, then Solano Community College’s soccer program made a statement Wednesday, officially sending seven athletes on to four-year schools.

Falcons head coach Jeff Cardinal gathered five of the seven with their families for a short ceremony to celebrate the various scholarships the players had earned to the next level.

Cardinal said this year’s crop is the largest group he’s ever sent on in his 11 years at the college.

Those moving on include goalkeepers Erica Ramirez (Columbia College, Missouri), and Briana Scholtens (Cal State East Bay), forward Britney Cooper (Columbia College), Jessica Chase (William Jessup), forwards Sandy Garcia and Alexsa Gonzalez (Nyack College, New York) and Barbara Bakh (University of Mary, North Dakota).

Ramirez, Scholtens, Garcia, Gonzalez and Chase were at the ceremony Wednesday.

For Ramirez, an Armijo High graduate, the idea of joining a brand new program at Columbia — this fall will be the school’s first soccer season — was an exciting idea. Joining forces with former rival — Cooper went to Fairfield — makes it even more exciting.

“My options were Sacramento State and Fresno State,” Ramirez said. “Then I got call from this coach in Missouri.”

After film and emails were exchange, Ramirez made her decision.

“Within a week he offered me this opportunity to play with almost a free education,” she said.

Playing with Cooper, who was an All-America selection her last season at Solano, adds a certain level of comfort, too.

“It’s going to be good. We’re confident with each other’s abilities,” Ramirez said.

Garcia and Gonzalez are set to join former Falcon and longtime friend Sabrina Caires at Nyack, making the transition easier on everyone.

“It makes the whole process a lot easier because I have a friend already who’s been there a year and she’s going to show us around and stuff,” Garcia said. “It’s going to be my first time away from my family, but knowing that I have not only people that I know, but people that I know that I can play with on the field (helps).”

Garcia said going into a new team and a new school on her own would be much tougher.

“I’m going with two other players from the team, but we’ve been together since we were like 12 years old, since we were really little,” Gonzalez said. “So Sabrina (Caires) is there, and I just kind of went off what she said.”

She echoed Garcia’s thoughts on having lifelong friends there.

“It’s going to mean a lot to me,” she said. “I’m going to have people out there that’s going through the same thing as me. We’ll all help each other too.”

It’s a toss-up between Chase and Scholtens for who is staying closest to home, a major goal for both in deciding where to go.

“It’s a small, intimate campus, good team, close to home,” Chase said of the Rocklin campus where she’s headed.

It was a very recent decision for here as she heard from William Jessup coaches last week.

“They offered me half the tuition off the bat and I just made up my mind last weekend, so here I am,” she said. “It’s nice because I didn’t know where I was going to go for the longest time. It’s just perfect timing and the perfect place I wasn’t going to pass it up.”

Scholtens signed with CSU East Bay a few months back, but was thrilled to be able to have a moment with her teammates as they prepared to move on.

“All day me and (Gonzalez) — we were texting, talking about how nervous we were,” Scholtens said. “This is a huge step. This is something we’ve talked about since our freshman year. Since the first day we stepped on the field. ‘I can’t wait, we all got to transfer together.’ It was kind of overwhelming that we finally did it.”

The fact that so many athletes are moving on at the same time says a lot about the program at Solano, Scholtens added.

“I think the program is very solid. I think the (reputation) we have helps,” she said.

Cardinal was happy to see his players get the recognition for the accomplishments and to be able to go on and continue playing and finish their education.

“We continue to get those players that come in and they already have a good level (of skills) coming in and we just kind of improve them and we run our program like a four-year college would run it so they get prepare for that, so I think it’s an easy transition when they come from Solano to a four-year program because they’re already experienced in what it’s like to be in a four-year program,” he said. “That’s kind of the No. 1 reason why we’re here and what we’re doing.”

Reach Mike Corpos at 427-6979, or mcorpos@dailyrepublic.net. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mcorposdr.

SCC Midfielder Caires Headed East to Nyack College

Excerpt from Daily Republic, June 08, 2011 by Mike Corpos

ROCKVILLE - Sabrina Caires knows what she wants, and she’s not afraid to go a long way to get it.

After two successful years playing soccer at Solano Community College, Caires is headed to Nyack College in New York state on an athletic scholarship that will see her through nursing school.

“We originally had three kids looking at that school, but Sabrina ended up being the only one,” SCC soccer coach Jeff Cardinal said. “It’s a sweet deal.”

A sweet deal indeed for a player who wanted to get out of California and see new places.

“I was really interested in going to school out of here,” Caires said. “New York is more exciting.”

Caires said she was turned on to Nyack by Cardinal, who had been in touch with Warriors coach Bill Findley.

“(Findley) knows that California players are really competitive,” Caires said. “He just found me through Cardinal.”

Cardinal said he initially recommended three players to Findley, Caires ended up being the lone Falcon to commit, however.

“It worked out really well because of nursing school,” Cardinal said. “She wasn’t going to consider a school that didn’t have her major. So this really worked out for her.”

Caires said she didn’t want to have to be wait-listed at one of California’s overpopulated nursing schools, making Nyack a perfect fit.

“I went for a visit, and they said they want to start building a good team, and I want to be a part of that,” Caires said. “They just made their nursing program out there.”

With nursing school, Caires said she’ll be at Nyack for three years, something the school took into consideration with her scholarship.

“They gave me scholarship that continues after two years, that’s a really big plus,” she said. “A lot of schools don’t do that.”

Cardinal said Caires will fit in nicely with the Warriors, an NCAA Division II program.

“She’s a very consistent, steady player,” Cardinal said of his main left midfielder. “Sabrina provided some very good consistency in training and in games. She started almost every game both years.”

Cardinal said Caires even started over some sophomores her freshman year because of her work ethic.

“She worked more and she earned it,” he said.

An Acalanes High of Lafayette graduate from Vallejo, Caires came to Solano in 2009 and had two solid seasons, finishing as the Falcons’ second leading scorer in 2010 with nine goals and 12 assists.

“She’s a real good kid,” Cardinal continued. “She helped the coaches out a lot, and she helped the younger players. She kind of led by example.”

Caires also got things done in the classroom, Cardinal said, maintaining a 3.5-3.6 grade-point average for her two years.

Caires said she liked the Nyack campus and the surrounding community, making her decision easier.

“I just liked how everybody was so friendly,” she said. “It’s a small community. I really like the environment, and I didn’t visit any other schools. It’s so different, it’ll be a new experience for me.”

Just what she was looking for.

Reach Mike Corpos at 427-6979 or mcorpos@dailyrepublic.net.

Marin FC Women’s Professional Soccer Match at Solano

Marin FC Women's Professional Soccer Match at Solano

The Solano College Women’s Soccer team and coaches hosted its annual clinic and women’s professional soccer match on May 20 and May 22. The Soccer Match which was held Sunday May 22, Marin FC Wave vs. the Claremont Stars from Southern California a WPSL (Women’s Professional Soccer League) Match. Marin FC Wave won the match 4-1 scoring 3 second half goals after a 1-1 halftime score and giving up the first goal 1-0.

AndreaSalvadorSolanoAssistantCoach KatieKnoppSolanoAlumni Marin FC Wave players and coaches also put on its annual clinic which was held the Friday before the game. Local youths from all over Solano county participated in the clinic, which also included free admission to the game and a Marin FC free t-shirt.

Solano College’s women’s soccer team had 4 former and current players in the match and are current players for Marin FC Waves team. Current assistant coach Andrea Salvador (former Solano All-American and Fresno State player), former Solano College All-American and San Jose State player Katie Knopp, former Solano College player and current Texas A & M International player Kirsten Jennings and current Solano College player Briana Scholtens.

Also of note and current local player from Vacaville is Marin FC Wave and U-18 US National Team Goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland. Katelyn is a Vacaville Christian High School Senior who is headed to UCLA on a full athletic scholarship this Fall 2011.

For more photos of the game and clinic visit the Solano Women’s Soccer facebook page on our Solano Athletics web site:

Solano College Women’s Soccer

Solano’s Jennings to play soccer at Texas A&M International

Excerpt from Daily Republic, January 14, 2011 by Mike Corpos

ROCKVILLE -By the end of today, Kirsten Jennings will be a long way from Solano Community College.

Making the journey from Rockville to Laredo, Texas, Jennings is set to join the Texas A&M International women’s soccer team after accepting a scholarship offer from the Dust Devils.

“I e-mailed them and sent them a video, and from there we worked out an opportunity for me to go down there,” said Jennings, who was turned on to A&M International by a friend.

After playing behind the Falcons’ top forwards her freshman year, Jennings made the most of the 2010 season, becoming Solano’s leading scorer with 15 goals and 13 assists for 43 points.

She was named Forward of the Year in the Bay Valley Conference, and earned All-NorCal and All-State honors as well.

“I didn’t get as much playing time last year as I wanted, so I had to work for it this year, and it paid off for sure,” she said.

After a year at Sonoma State, Jennings came to Solano to play soccer and study fire technology.

Now, after two solid seasons for the Falcons, Jennings is headed to Texas a semester early to get oriented and get a head start on preparing for the fall season with the Dust Devils.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to earn my spot,” Jennings said. “I only have two years to play, so hopefully I don’t end up sitting the bench too much.”

Solano coach Jeff Cardinal didn’t think that would be a problem for his star striker.

“She took on the role of team captain this year,” he said. “She did a real great job as team captain. She was our most vocal captain (of three). When the team needed a . . . correction, she was the one to step up and take charge.”

Those traits had several schools interested in Jennings, Cardinal said, but it was A&M International that was her top choice.

Jennings said she’ll put her fire science studies on hold for the chance to play soccer.

Instead, she’ll pursue a bachelor’s degree in communications while in Texas, with plans to return to Solano to finish firefighting school.

Jennings said she got into firefighting after a cousin went into the field.

“I did an internship and I felt like it was the right thing for me,” she said. “But being able to play two more years came up as option, so I’ll get a bachelor’s and go back and finish. . . . I have most of the classes done. I just need my academies and my EMT.”

Jennings, who is from Martinez, said she’s looking forward to some warmer weather — Laredo is on the Mexico border — after the chilly beginning to winter in the Bay Area.

“With warm weather and being able to play, I can’t complain,” she said. “California is awesome. It will be hard to leave.”

After accepting the scholarship, Jennings became the second Falcon to sign and leave for the spring semester. Teammate and fellow captain Natalie Guerrieri is headed for Biola University in Southern California this month as well.

Reach Mike Corpos at 427-6979 or mcorpos@dailyrepublic.net.

Solano’s Guerrieri Lands All-West Honor, Signs with Biola

Excerpt from Daily Republic, December 16, 2010 by Mike Corpos

ROCKVILLE - Just the last month has been an exciting one for Natalie Guerrieri, never mind her two seasons as a star defender for the Solano Community College soccer team.

Since she joined the Falcons out of Napa High last fall, Guerrieri has earned two spots on the All-Bay Valley Conference first team, and a pair of BVC championships to go with them.

This year, she not only was named all-conference, she was named the conference most valuable player as a defender — an honor that traditionally goes to a high-scoring forward or midfielder. Guerrieri finished the season with seven points total on three goals and an assist.

Since then she was named to the All-Western Region first team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, and most recently she accepted an athletic/academic scholarship to play at Biola University in Southern California next fall.

With all the accolades coming her way, Guerrieri said it’s been a bit of a shock to her.

‘(When I was named MVP) I was so excited, I had no idea I was going to get anything this year,’ she said. ‘My team was so good, I can’t imagine they can pick just one person.’

When she learned of the all-region selection, she was even more surprised.

‘That was unbelievable, I was so shocked,’ she said.

Falcons coach Jeff Cardinal said Guerrieri earned the accolades.

‘She’s a great defender and she’s as good as anybody we have offensively in regards to passing, dribbling and even shooting, we can put her anywhere on the field,’ he said. ‘. . . She never misses a day. She was voted by her teammates as a captain this year. She’s a leader and her awards in the classroom and on the field are very well deserved.’

After all that, committing to Biola is the icing on the cake.

‘My brother went to Biola back in the day,’ she said. ‘I visited the campus when I was 12 and I always wanted to go there. It finally just got down to having to pick a college.’

Cardinal said getting Guerrieri into Biola was one of the easiest transfers he’s ever made.

‘She’s pretty much a top-level student,’ Cardinal said. ‘She was looking for that private Christian university when she came to Solano.’

One of the first things Cardinal does with his players is ask them if there’s somewhere they want to go to play soccer, and naturally Guerrieri said she wanted to go to Biola.

‘We contacted Biola last year and told them we have a freshman who’s very interested,’ he said. ‘When we played Cal State East Bay in our offseason game, the (assistant) coach came to see her play.’

After that, the head coach from Biola went to see the Falcons play Mt. San Antonio College in the fall, and that was all he needed to see of Guerrieri.

‘He told me he really wanted me to play there,’ she said.

That was all Guerrieri needed to hear, and now she’s making arrangements to join the Eagles for the spring semester to give her a jump on getting settled in.

‘I’m really excited to go down there and play, I’m getting stuff together,’ she said. ‘I want to start in spring to get to know the girls and the program, and get settled in to the school. I kind of wanted to go there as soon as possible and build a comfort level.’

Looking at her time at Solano, Guerrieri said she’s sad to leave, but that she’s pleased with what the Falcons accomplished the last two seasons.

Reach Mike Corpos at 427-6979 or mcorpos@dailyrepublic.net.

Ex-Solano Soccer Player Adriana Vasquez was Honored at Sam Houston State University

Courtesy: GoBearkats.com, October 27, 2010

Courtesy: GoBearkats.com, Adriana Vasquez among other soccer players

Five senior members of the Sam Houston women’s soccer team will be honored prior to Friday’s 7 p.m. Southland Conference match with UTSA.

The seniors have been part of Bearkat teams that have achieved the program’s highest season victory totals and best Southland Conference regular season finishes.

Friday, they will be part of an important matchup with the league’s top-ranked team, the Roadrunners of UTSA, that could help Sam Houston garner its best Southland finish ever.

Two of the senior quintet came to Sam Houston as transfers from California junior colleges.

Alex Clifton was an all-conference midfielder for Fresno City College on a nationally ranked junior college team. She started eight times and played in 17 matches as a junior in 2009, scoring twice for the Bearkats. Â

Sidelined by an injury as a senior, she has been a valuable member of the squad behind the scenes during the 2010 season. A psychology major, she earned Southland Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll honors last year.

Adriana Vasquez was an all-league performer for a conference championship team at Solano Community College. The past two seasons as a Bearkat, she has played in 29 matches in the midfield. She has scored three goals for Sam Houston including the game-winner in last year’s victory over Lamar. A business major, she was a Southland athletic academic honor roll member.

The other three seniors have been part of the Bearkat program for the past four years.

Kelley Sikinger has been one of Sam Houston’s reserve goalkeepers, seeing action in five matches. She is a three-time Southland academic honor roll member. The elementary education major from Lamar High School in Houston has produced a 3.21 overall grade point average in her four years at Sam Houston.

Defender Nichole Watkins is making her 65th career appearance in a Bearkat uniform Friday. The Deer Park product has been part of a back line that has shut out 23 opponents during her career. As a sophomore in 2008, she was a member of the defense that set a school record going 656 minutes without giving up a goal. A three-time Southland academic honor roll member, the business major owns a 3.31 overall grade point average.

Jenny Pence completes her Bearkat career with 11 Sam Houston school records to her credit including career marks for most shutouts (22), most saves (663), best goals against average (1.50) and most goalkeeper victories (33). The Kingwood product has earned Southland Conference “Goalkeeper of the Week” honors six times in her career and as an honorable mention All-Southland selection as a junior. A biology major with a 3.88 overall grade point average, she has earned Academic All-Region and All-South honors and is a two-time Academic All-Southland Conference selection.

“These five women are outstanding students and talented athletes,” Sam Houston head coach Tom Brown said. “To come into the final weekend of regular season play in their senior years with a chance to finish among the top teams in the league is a testament to how they have helped build this program.”

The UTSA match Friday kicks off at 7 p.m., but beginning at 6 p.m., students are invited to Pritchett Field for “Soccer Tailgate 2″ that evening.

The tailgate party will feature free McKenzie’s BBQ and Coca-Cola Products.  Admission to Sam Houston women’s soccer at Pritchett Field is free.

For information about tickets to other Bearkat athletic home events, go online at www.gobearkats.com or visit the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone is 936 294-1729.

Ex-Solano Soccer Player Knopp Thriving at San Jose State

By Paul Farmer | Daily Republic | October 13, 2010 21:27

FAIRFIELD – The closest thing to going home again for former Fairfield High and Solano Community College standout Katie Knopp was the San Jose State women’s soccer team’s trip to UC Davis on Sunday.

Knopp, a senior forward, made the drive to Davis a happy one for the Spartans by driving home a rebounded shot in the 89th minute to lift the visitors to a 2-1 victory.

‘It was pretty exciting,’ Knopp said in a phone interview Wednesday. ‘We really wanted to get a win out of Sunday. It was exciting for me personally because my parents were there and (Solano coach Jeff) Cardinal was there. Overall, it was pretty sweet.’

The game was a rough one throughout with numerous yellow cards handed out to both squads.

According to a release by San Jose State, ‘The Spartans responded and scored on a Kelsey Lord rebound, which found Katie Knopp for the go-ahead goal. Knopp’s third goal of the season put the game away with less than two minutes remaining.’

‘We just fight,’ Knopp said. ‘We’re a fighting team, and we just happened to come back and win it.’

The Aggies scored first in the 69th minute, with the Spartans (7-5-1) getting the equalizer 10 minutes later.

‘Davis went up 1-0, but we responded well and we came back,’ Knopp said.

Women’s soccer

Another former Solano Falcon to find the net recently was Jessica Hamister, who had the only goal for Cal State East Bay in a 3-1 loss to Cal State Dominguez Hills on Sunday. It was her first goal of the season to go with two assists in 13 games played.

Also playing for the Pioneers (5-6-2) is Giana Raccanello (Armijo/Solano), a senior defender who’s played in seven games.

Kellie Detweiler (Solano) and the Menlo Lady Oaks have a made a turnaround, upping their record to 3-7-1 after an 0-5-1 start. Detweiler, a senior forward, has 13 shots, seven of which have been on goal, with one goal scored.

One of Menlo’s victories was 2-1 over William Jessup, for which Chelsea Aberson (Vacaville) is a sophomore. The loss on Tuesday snapped a four-game winning streak for the Lady Warriors (6-4-1). Last week Aberson had a goal in a 17-0 mauling of Mills.

Brittany Prieto (Fairfield) has started all 13 games for Southeastern Louisiana, which is 8-2-3 after a 6-0-1 start. Prieto, a senior defender, has two assists and has taken two shots.

Sam Houston State, for which Adriana Vasquez (Solano) is a senior midfielder, has won five of its last six games and is 7-7-1 after opening 0-4-0. Vasquez has played in 12 games with two starts, taking three shots.

Amanda Radich (Wood/Solano) has played four games in goal, starting two, for Kansas Wesleyan. She is 1-1 with a shutout for the Coyotes (5-3-2), making nine saves.

Amanda Radich Helps Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes Defeat Rival Ottawa

Courtesy: Kansas Wesleyan University News, November 13, 2010

Courtesy:  Kansas Wesleyan University News, Kansas Wesleyan wins the KCAC Women's Soccer Tournament Championship 3-2 in OT ... Photo courtesy Max Iselin

NORTH NEWTON - What a difference a player makes – Corina Villegas to be exact. Villegas made her return to the starting lineup for the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes and she scored twice, including the match winner in the 99th minute to life the Coyotes over the Ottawa Braves 3-2 at Thresher Stadium.

“As you saw, she played well,” Kansas Wesleyan coach Mike Dibbini said of Villegas. “But there was a difference in our execution and her setting up our scoring chances that made the difference in the match today.”

Wesleyan also welcomed back defender Brittany Corcoran to the pitch, who had missed the last four games before returning part time in last Saturday’s regular season finale and again on Tuesday against Friends in the KCAC Semifinal in Salina.

“Having Brittany back brought back our confidence and gave us that added security in the back,” Dibbini said.

Wesleyan broke a scoreless tie in the 28th minute as Villegas connected on her first goal of the match. Elba Menjivar sent a ball into the penalty area on a corner, and after the scrum for the ball, Villegas connected from about 12 yards out for the top shelf score past Ottawa’s Lauren Peil.

Two minutes later Ottawa got the equalizer as Amanda Just found Whitney Bowen on a corner kick and Bowen headed it home past Wesleyan keeper Amanda Radich.

The teams would head to the break tied at 1.

Just four minutes into the second half, the Coyotes were on the board again. Hannah Kern broke free at the top of the box, beat a couple defenders and slid one past Peil for the go ahead goal in the 49th minute.

Ottawa again evened things at 2-all in the 86th minute as Bowen connected on a shot from about 12 yards out.

“I was a little disappointed and sad at that point because we didn’t preserve the win and let them back into the game,” Dibbini said. “It goes to show that a couple opportunities that we didn’t convert earlier can come back to haunt you.”

The match then headed to overtime with Ottawa taking three early shots all stopped by Radich, then in the 99th minute, Villegas connected on the match winner. Imaan Issa who was just inside the 18-yard box on the left side dropped a ball into Villegas at the left corner of the six-yard box.

Villegas knocked down the ball and poked the shot with her left foot to the far post. The slow, slow roller snuck just inside the post for the match winner with 1:32 left in overtime.

“She was determined,” Dibbini said of Villegas on the winner. “I wasn’t sure I was even going to start her today, but when I asked her prior to the start of the match she said she was ready. She had a great practice two days ago, where she got her rhythm and she brought that today for us.”

Wesleyan (10-6-2) was led by Villegas with four shots, including three on goal and scoring twice. Amanda Radich picked up the win in goal, allowing two goals and recording ten saves.

Bowen had five of Ottawa’s (15-3-2) 15 shots, scoring both goals for the Braves. Peil took the loss in goal, allowing three goals and tallying three saves.

Wesleyan advances to the NAIA Women’s Soccer Championship Opening Round, which will be played next Saturday at 16 campus sites around the country. The winners of those 16 Opening Round matches will advance to the NAIA National Championship Final Site in Decatur, Ala., starting November 29 and running through December 4. Opening Round sites and pairings will be announced by the NAIA on Sunday.

Katie Knopp Helps San Jose Spartans beat UC Davis

Courtesy: San Jose State Athletics, October 10, 2010
Courtesy: San Jose State Athletics, Knopp tallied the game-winner at 88:09.  (Photo by Terrell Lloyd) Davis, CA – San Jose State women’s soccer rallied late in the second half to score a pair of goals, en route to a 2-1 win over UC Davis on Sunday afternoon, October 10.  San Jose State (7-5-1, 1-0-1 WAC) extends its unbeaten streak to seven for the year.

In a physical first half, each team had opportunities to get on the board, but neither could find the back of the net.  San Jose State had five shots, including three on goal.

Seconds before the end of the first half featured a scramble after an Aggie corner, but goalkeeper Meghan Maiwald safely collected the ball to keep the score tied 0-0 at the intermission.

After a scoreless first half, the Aggies converted in the 69:30 mark for the first goal.  Lisa Kemp dodged  a couple of Spartan defenders and placed a goal in the upper left corner.  The lead was short lived however, as the Spartans tied the game in the 79th minute from a 25-yard shot by Cheryl KuteKayla Santacruz was credited with the assist.

The physical play continued in the second half, with San Jose State drawing its only yellow card of the game and UC Davis drawing its third yellow card.  The Spartans responded  and scored on a Kelsey Lord rebound, which found Katie Knopp for the go ahead goal.  Knopp’s third goal of the season put the game away with less than two minutes remaining.

“I’m proud of our team today,” stated head coach Jeff Leightman.  They responded well after being down a goal.  UC Davis disrupted our style and we responded well.  The win today gives us character that we can build on.”

Meghan Maiwald stopped seven shots and improved to 7-5-1 overall.

The Spartans return to action with a pair of WAC opponents on the road with Louisiana Tech on October 15 at 4:00 p.m. and New Mexico State on October 17 at 12:00 p.m.

SCC hosts Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Match

Two Solano college All-Americans, plus current sophomore, return to campus for June 12th match

Katie Knopp and Andrea Salvador both left indelible marks on the Solano College women’s soccer program, leading Solano to conference championships in their final seasons and earning NSCAA Junior College All-American honors before moving on to San Jose State and Fresno State, respectively. Now Knopp and Salvador — together with current Solano sophomore, Natalie Loyola, and a half dozen players who grew up in nearby Napa, Solano or Sonoma counties, are returning to Solano College as part of the North Bay FC Wave, a brand new Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) team from Marin.

The North Bay Wave will play three-time State Cup Champion De Anza Force 91G Blue from Cupertino, CA. on Saturday, June 12 at 2:00 p.m. on the Solano College soccer field, 4000 Suisun Valley Road in Fairfield. The “friendly” is the sendoff for the De Anza Force, which will represent Northern California at the US Youth Soccer Far West Regional championships in New Mexico June 21-27, 2010.

Knopp, now a senior forward at San Jose State, was named a 2008 NSCAA Junior College All-American after leading Solano to an undefeated Bay Valley Conference championship in 2008. She helped kick off WPSL league play for the North Bay Wave last weekend by tallying two goals in the Wave’s 4-0 win over the FC Sacramento Pride. Salvador also was instrumental in helping the Solano Falcons to a conference championship in 2005, and was named the National NSCAA Junior College Player of the Year for her efforts.

“It will be exciting to see these two young ladies back on the field where they wrote themselves into the Solano College record books,” said Solano women’s soccer coach, Jeff Cardinal. “They were not only dynamic players in their two seasons here, but they also are simply outstanding young women who serve as great role models for the area’s youth players.”

Loyola, who will be a sophomore midfielder for Solano College this fall, is from nearby Vintage High School in Napa. Other North Bay Wave players from the Napa/Sonoma area include Zoe Carroll, Christina Chang-Dzegede, Macy Jo Harrison, Tiffany Hurst, Ashley Lowery, and Sarah Peters, who is the starting goalkeeper for UC Davis, right up the road.

The North Bay FC Wave is Marin County’s first WPSL team, featuring a roster consisting of current and former collegiate players, current and former national team players, and elite high school players. Among the colleges represented are 2009 NCAA College Cup finalists North Carolina and Stanford, as well as NCAA quarterfinalist Boston College, UC Davis, USF, San Diego State, and many more. The Wave will play a challenging schedule this summer against the other six members of the WPSL’s Pacific-North division. The next home match is Sunday, June 6th at 4:00 p.m. vs. the California Storm of Sacramento at San Marin High School in Novato. The Storm are defending Pacific-North champions and feature former international superstars such as Brandi Chastain and Sissi among their talent-laden roster.

“The WPSL a national league of more than 50 teams that is the highest level of women’s amateur soccer in the U.S.,” said North Bay Wave head coach Luis Quezada. “We are looking forward to testing ourselves against one of the best WPSL teams in the country. It should be a very exciting and entertaining match.”

Besides the North Bay Wave, California Storm, and FC Sacramento Pride, other teams in the WPSL Pacific-North division include the San Francisco Nighthawks, Clovis Sidekicks, Portland Rain, and Spokane Black Widows.

De Anza Force 91G Blue has won the Cal North State Cup championship in 2008, 2009, and 2010. The team was a Far West Regionals quarterfinalist and Surf Cup finalist in 2008. Nearly 30 De Anza Force 91 girls have played, or will soon play, collegiate soccer. Eighteen members of the current team that will meet the Wave are committed to play at NCAA Division I or Division II schools over the next two years.

About North Bay FC Wave: The primary goal of the North Bay FC Wave is to develop a competitive women’s soccer team to enable players to achieve their dream of playing at the highest level. The Wave maintains close ties with the Marin County community and with local youth soccer organizations, including the North Bay Magic and West Marin YSL. For more information, visit www.northbayfc.com. Marin Auto Glass is the Official Black Diamond Sponsor of the Wave for the Summer 2010 season. Visit their website at www.marinautoglass.com for a complete list of services, from vehicle glass repair or replacement to tinting. Additional sponsorships for the Wave from local businesses or individuals are always welcome.

About the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL): The WPSL is a 50-plus team national league with five conferences starting in 2010 and is the largest women’s soccer league in the world. The league is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) as an affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). The WPSL’s mission is to provide the highest level of soccer in its effort to: bring affordable and quality family entertainment to the community; display positive role models for our youth; while, being a stepping stone for aspiring players to Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS).

For more information, visit the WPSL’s official website at www.wpsl.info, phone 1-800-854-0913 or contact the WPSL via email at media@wpslsoccer.com. You can also keep up with the league on WPSL social media networking sites on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter!!

Eurosport & SOCCER.COM is a Proud Partner of the WPSL, who feature a wide selection of top-of-the-line soccer merchandise, serving as an important communication vehicle for organizations including the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF), Major League Soccer (MLS), U.S. Youth Soccer, and many more!

Molten is the Official Championship Ball of the 2010 WPSL Final Four and is also a Proud Partner of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), and is the Official Soccer Ball of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Visit their official website at www.moltenusa.com for more information on their full line of products.

WHAT: Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Match

WHEN: June 12, 2010 at 2:00 pm

WHERE: SCC Soccer Field, Main Campus (Fairfield)