Women's Soccer 9/1/2011 12:45:00 PM

2011 Women's Soccer Preview - The Sky's the Limit

The sky's the limit this year for CSUDH's 5 seniors in (clockwise from bottom left) Danielle Shoemaker, Jessica Murphy, Colleen McNamee, Paige Peel-Hand and Taylor Canatsey

CARSON -- The month of November usually is busy for the Cal State Dominguez Hills women's soccer team, but last year saw the Toros on the outside looking in for both the CCAA and NCAA tournaments, a surprising finale to a season that witnessed the 2009 squad reach the NCAA title game and then return all 11 starters in 2010.

The Toros finished last season in fifth place in the CCAA after starting with a 7-1-1 mark after their first nine games, but went just 3-4 in their next seven to knock themselves out of contention.

Two of those losses in that stretch came at the hands of cross-town rival Cal State L.A., who outscored the high-powered CSUDH offense 6-2 in the pair of wins.

Heading into their final weekend of the season, however, the Toros rebounded with a pair of wins over Cal Poly Pomona and CS San Bernardino, that latter which sent their seniors out in style with an overtime win over the Coyotes in a thrilling 3-2 victory.

"Last year, we just lost some pivotal games, whereas the year before, we won those games and reached the NCAA title game," reflects head coach Joe Flanagan, now entering his 10th year as head coach of the women's squad.

"We gave up late goals in some games and had we won just one of those games, we would have been in the mix," he continues. "So those types of things really hurt us. We had nothing on our season resume to say that we were one of the best teams, so we have to be better this year."

Flanagan also realizes this is the last hurrah for his five seniors, including three 4-year and one 5-year upper classman, and that they deserve one final shot at a title after a combined 14 years of services to the Toro soccer program.

"We return to a great cast and we have a couple of good new ones, so the competiveness has got to be our focus this year and we have to be ready to win those tight games at the end of the year, because we know we're going to be in them."

Here's a closer look at who will look to keep November a busy month for the women's soccer team.

THE FRONT LINE

All-everything senior All-American Jessica Murphy leads a young but talented group of returner strikers after notching her fifth and sixth All-Region honors last year. And as in the last three years, the offense will go through her.

"Jess obviously has had a great three years so far and we are still coaching her and telling her ways to improve because she can score 15, 20, and even 25 if she puts her head to it," says Flanagan. "We want her to be the best player in the conference and we think she has the ability to do so."

The Torrance native earned those honors after finishing 2nd in both goals and GWG in the CCAA, 4th in points and 7th in assists despite missing the first four games of the season, also finishing in the top 50 in the NCAA in those categories. She also scored at least one point in all but one contest, enjoying 4 multi-goal efforts and 12 games with at least 2 points.

Murphy, who earned one CCAA Player of the Week award, connected for three-consecutive game-winners in early October, and needs 17 goals and 34 points to become the Toros all-time leader in those categories.

Sophomores Natalee Simon and Kelli Boyle, as well as redshirt freshman Natalie Barbosa will be looked upon for scoring to keep the attack balanced after combining for a goal and an assist in 22 games played last year.

"Natalee Simon, who kind of played a little last year but had injuries galore, is someone we're looking to have a breakout season," says Flanagan optimistically.

CONNECTING THE PIECES

Senior Taylor Canatsey will spearhead a talented and experienced midfield position that welcomes back two seniors and two juniors.

Canatsey made an immediate impact on the squad last year, earning 2nd-team Daktronics All-Region and Honorable Mention All-CCAA honors after finishing 4th in GWG, 6th in points and 7th in goals in the league. The Garden Grove native notched her first-career hat trick in a season-opening 3-0 win over Concordia (Sept 2), notching other multi-goal contest in 5-1 decision at Cal Poly Pomona (Sept 26).

"Last year, Taylor did great and scored some big goals for us in her first season, and I always think that is tough for anybody to do," begins Flanagan. "But she was ready for it as a transfer and now as a senior with more experience and an understanding of what we know she can do and what we expect from her, I think she's ready to have another great season."

On the combination of Murphy and Canatsey leading the offensive charge, Flanagan can't help but smile after thinking about the possible havoc the duo can impose on opposing defenses with a year and a half of playing together.

"Last year Jess and Taylor really started to connect very well together by midseason," says Flanagan. ""I think they're a 1-2 combination that's gonna be pretty tough for other teams to defend."

PUBLIC DEFENDERS

All-American Paige Peel-Hand headlines the experienced and talented backline, one that will have to adjust to a new keeper between the pipes. Named to the Daktronics 2nd-team All-Region, 3rd-team NSCAA All-Region and 2nd-team All-CCAA squads after starting 15 games in 17 appearances as a junior, Peel-Hand's leadership will be invaluable as the second-to-last line of defense.

"Paige is just the epitome of a leader," Flanagan beams unabashedly. "She comes to practice with a smile on her face and is always ready to go to work. She always leads by example, but the way she just competes at practice and wants more and expects more, she's just really a joy to be around because she loves being there and loves being a part of it. She's just a prototype captain."

Senior Colleen McNamee, juniors Allyssia Vasquez, Marlene Becerra and Molly Brennan, as well as sophomore Kayley Evans also return to give the Toros the talent and depth needed to keep opposing offenses on their heels.

THEY'RE ALL KEEPERS

After years of stability at the keeper position, 2011 marks a new beginning after the departure of former Toro Alyssa Congon, who started every game she played in her four years as a Toro.

This season, a trio of juniors will look to step up and earn the starting role, a battle that promises to be fierce and competitive.

"Having a goalkeeper start for you for four straight years, it's pretty remarkable and probably unheard of," Flanagan begins. "But I think that returners Tiffany Hollis and Allison Ruvalcaba have come a long way. And then we now have Marissa Graska in there too who's the prototype goalkeeper in terms of being tall and lanky, and who has as good a chance as the others.

"But the organizational side of a keeper is what will make a good keeper a great one," he continues. "These keepers can do some shot stopping, but organizing and communicating with the defense that will result in just 3 or 4 shots faced as opposed to 7 or 8 is where they need to improve upon and make sure the defense in front of them is doing the job and staying in front of the attackers, because that's where Alyssa really started becoming a great GK the past couple of years."

NEWCOMERS

Head coach Flanagan welcomes a plethora of talented newcomers looking to make their respective marks on the Toro soccer program, in hopes of returning CSUDH back to its national prominence.

Juniors Ani Eishoei and Niki Poole are two upperclassmen who can only benefit from the attention that'll be given to Murphy and Canatsey.

"Ani is that person who does it all," Flanagan says, as a matter-of-fact. "She passes, she defends, she can tackle a little bit; she just has that great, competitive mentality that you want to have in that midfield role."

"Niki, meanwhile, can score," he continues. "She's just a finisher who can fight Jess for our goal-scoring leader. Jess kind of does it all, whereas Niki just goes after it and goes straight to goal without thinking of anything else. So those three, Jess, Taylor and Niki together are gonna be tough to match up with.

"Sami Feinstein and Jackie Freiberger, who've done incredibly well as freshmen, didn't know how they were going to fit in right away with the experience we have in the midfield, but they've really come in and made their immediate impact on the team have earned some minutes as well.

“Another freshman in Bailey Butcher is going to be a player for now and the future,” says Flanagan with a smile. “This girl can set some goals up and possibly score some goals. She scored in one of our scrimmages, so she's gonna be one to watch, as well.

EXTRA MOTIVATION

Flanagan, his staff and the returning players all feel they have something to prove this year after last year ended at the end of the regular season. The Toros know the lapses that occurred in 2010 have to be minimal at best to give their five seniors one final shot at NCAA postseason glory, and this year's team has the talent to do just that.

“Our strength really is basically our whole back line is returning, as well as our depth upfront with three or four people who can win games,” he says. “And I've always been a big believer that we can't just have one. Last year, Taylor came in and Jess was scoring some goals and now we have Niki Poole and Bailey Butcher, Natalie Barbosa, Yadira Gomez; there are just so many options and hopefully our attack will be tough for others to defend.”

And while the desire to win is always there, Flanagan and his staff want to win just a little bit more than usual, for their group of seniors.

“Yeah, we always want to win, but when you have great people like Paige and Jess, and Colleen and Danielle Shoemaker, who've done their work for four or five years, you definitely want to end on a good note,” he says, his voice showing signs of emotion.

“And they've put in their time here and I think that you feel like you owe it to them a little bit. You want to make sure you have a great season being their last and knowing that they touched a National Championship game and how that can motivate them and motivate us to get back there. So yeah, there's a lot of things to think about with our senior class.”

Known for getting choked up on rare occasion, the usually stoic Flanagan smiles a more nostalgic smile when his five seniors play their final game in Toro Stadium in late October.

“Yeah, it's going to be a pretty emotional 'Senior Day'. There are a lot of good memories for the four of them, as well as with Taylor, who's been through a lot with us in her time here.”

FINAL THOUGHTS

Heading into Saturday's season and home opener, Flanagan knows the Toros not only need to duplicate last year's start, but also continue that urgency throughout the season.

“I think the girls are excited to get going,” he says enthusiastically. “They see the talent around them, they want the challenge, and they're ready for the challenge in front of them.

“This year, more than ever, our team should be firing right away,” Flanagan continues. “The last couple years, we've had injuries or were waiting for someone to get back from an injury, but we've been lucky enough this year where we haven't had that obstacle in the preseason.

“The girls came into double days in pretty good shape and we're raring to go. Hopefully we're not gonna start slow, we're gonna come right out of the gate and be ready to go.

“I expect us to be in the hunt,” he concludes. “I know it's gonna be tough as usual, but we have the ingredients and the capabilities to do well.”

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2011 Women's Soccer Preview - The Sky's the Limit