The 2009 NCAA Women’s College Cup Final Four weekend was a showcase for many of the top up-and-coming women’s players in the world. Not surprisingly, Pali Blues alumni were out in full force with eight different players battling for the national championship.
In the first semi-final , the offensive juggernauts of the 2009 Pali Blues season were on display with Lauren Cheney’s UCLA Bruins taking on Kelley O’Hara’s and Ali Riley’s Stanford Cardinal. The game featured outstanding goals from both O’Hara and Cheney, as well as stalwart defense from Pali’s own Riley, but it was Christen Press, in overtime, who sealed the Cardinal victory with one of her patented lazars from outside the 18 yard box. Certainly many Blues fans --including more than a few members of Pali’s fanclub The Tony Danza Army -- are hoping to see Press return to the Stadium-by-the-Sea this summer. Another player featured in the Finals who Pali fans hope to welcome back is Mariah Nogueira who battled through a stomach flu to log critical minutes for the Cardinal.
In the second semi-final, pitting UNC against Notre Dame, it was the defense and composure of the 2009 Pali Blues on display with midfielder Tobin Heath, defender Whitney Engen and goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris who only allowed two goals the duration of UNC’s tournament run. Additionally, though she was unable to play due to injury, Tarheel Nikki Washington was certainly on the minds of many Blues supporters, having become a fan favorite over the course of the 2009 season.
In the College Cup Final, UNC topped Stanford in a dramatic 1-0 victory, with a goal set up by Tobin Heath and a number of close chances on either end. Ultimately, six of the eleven players named to the All-Tournament Team were Pali Blues alumni in a list featuring Lauren Cheney, Ashlyn Harris, Tobin Heath, Kelley O’Hara and Christen Press with Whitney Engen taking home defensive MVP honors.
Which players from the 2009 College Cup Final Four will feature in the 2010 Pali Blues season? That remains to be seen. Whoever they are, you can be sure they will arrive in sunny Southern California ready to battle for another championship in front of the best fans in the USL W-League!
