* In the running for NCAA championship- Stanford, UCLA, Portland, UNC, Notre Dame
Lauren Cheney-UCLA
A contributing factor for UCLA in the first three rounds of NCAA play, Lauren has scored goals in both the first and second round and earned an assist in the third. The Bruins will host No. 2 Portland in NCAA Quarterfinals on Saturday November 28, 2009. This year Lauren became the first Bruin to make the Pac-10 First Team All Conference four consecutive years in a row. Read on @ http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/111109aab.html
Whitney Engen-UNC
Whitney, a key UNC defender, also takes pride in her team earning eight consecutive shutouts (3 in NCAA playoffs). Whitney was also honored this season on November 13, 2009 as she played in her 100th career game as the Tarheels defeated the High Point Panthers 1-0 in the first round of NCAA play. Whitney hopes to lead her team to a victory Friday over Notre Dame in the semifinals.
Ashlyn Harris- UNC
The senior goalkeeper for the Tarheel’s is having an impressive NCAA playoff go. Ashlyn, with help from her teammates, has earned three successive shutouts in the first three rounds on NCAA play. She also came up with key saves in her team’s quarterfinal 5-2 victory over Wake Forest. Watch for Ashlyn to play strong in the semifinals. Read on @ http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/unc-w-soccer-body.html
Tobin Heath-UNC
Tobin scored her first NCAA playoff goal of the season in a 4-0 Tarheel victory over the Georgia Bulldogs November 15, 2009. The senior midfielder also had an assist in the Tarheel’s 5-2 quarterfinal win over Wake Forest. Next UNC will faceoff against Notre Dame Friday in the semifinals at College Station in Texas. Read more about Tobin @ http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/heath_tobin00.html
Mariah Nogueira- Stanford
The freshman and ‘New Comer of the Year’ recipient has played in all 24 of Stanford’s matches this season. Mariah’s stats include: scoring 5 goals and earning 5 assists for a total of 15 points. The future looks extremely bright for this defensive midfielder from Huntington Beach, Calif., as she will try to get her team a win in the semifinals Friday.
Kelley O’Hara-Stanford
The leading goal scorer in the country continues to come up big for Stanford in the playoffs, scoring two goals in the quarterfinal 3-1 Cardinal victory over Boston College Friday. Kelley leads her undefeated team to the semifinals which are set for Friday at College Station in Texas. Kelley’s remarkable college soccer career has her projected to be one of the top picks in the WPS draft Jan. 15. Check out her bio @ http://www.gostanford.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/ohara_kelley00.html
Christen Press- Stanford
Christen played excellent in Stanford’s 3-1 victory over Boston College Friday night. She contributed with two big assists and the game clinching goal. Stanford has an impressive 78 goals as a team this year. What’s even more impressive is 45 of those goals have come from the unstoppable duo of O’Hara and Press. They become only the 12th set of teammates in history to tally 55 points apiece in one season. Check out a Q & A session with Kristen @ http://www.gostanford.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/112609aab.html.
Ali Riley- Stanford
The solid and consistent Cardinal senior defender has helped her team earn consecutive shutouts in the first three rounds of NCAA play, and allow only one goal in their quarterfinal victory against Boston College. Starting in 22 of Stanford’s 24 matches, Cardinal Coach Paul Ratcliffe describes Ali as "One of the best outside backs in the country." Look for Ali to play tough as Stanford faces off against the winner of UCLA vs Portland match in the semifinals December 4th.
