Zags end season winless in conference

The Gonzaga women's soccer team finished the 2011 season by dropping a 3-0 decision at Portland on Nov. 5. The loss extended its losing streak to six matches. The Zags ended their season with a 7-10-2 record, going winless through the conference schedule.

It was not the best day to visit the Pilots. They were celebrating their Senior Day and needed the win to be eligible for the NCAA tournament, a mandatory achievement for a squad that has dominated the powerful WCC over the last decade.

Although the Pilots gave everything they had to offer, shooting 21 times, the Zags pulled a great defensive effort. Junior goalkeeper Susan Brown shut down her goal until the 40th minute, when Ellen Parker scored off a cross from teammate Danielle Foxhoven. It was also Foxhoven who, with a splendid individual run and a perfectly aimed shot, scored a goal in the first minute of the second half, putting hopes of a Bulldogs victory in doubt. In the 83rd minute, Amanda Frisbie dribbled past the central defense and scored from 15 yards away.

"It was a really exciting environment at Portland. Playing under the lights and with a big crowd, I think all of us were just really amped to play," freshman Katey Pennington said. "It would have made history to beat them at [their] home."

Third-year coach Amy Edwards did a careful analysis of the nonconference schedule and the first five games against WCC schools. Afterward, she noted that the team really felt the lack of attackers.

"In the nonconference season, we found our way. We won the games we were supposed to win except Loyola Chicago," Edwards said. "After the Pepperdine game, we had lack of depth due to ACL injuries."

"Next season, I really hope that injuries don't hinder us as much. I think we really have a good shot of going to the tournament if we all really want it and work hard in the offseason to be able to accomplish this goal," Pennington said.

After having this week off, the Zags will resume team activity. They will try to learn from the mistakes and improve their game over the spring. Edwards said she is really satisfied with the defensive performance of the team this season, given that the Zags only conceded 28 goals, 13 fewer than in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. She remarked that the defense was not the only improvement, mentioning that the team kept the ball much better and created many dangerous opportunities from sets.

"Sets kept us in many games," she said. "The quality of Sarah [Rhodes] placing the ball, Cricket [Harber] in the headers or Emma [Dolcetti] always situated at the right spot made us become a continuous threat in these plays."

Edwards also pointed out that so many of the young players on the roster played a lot of the important minutes this season. Next fall, these young players will have another year of experience, and will be well complemented by veterans such as redshirt junior Emma Dolcetti, who intends to play during her last year of eligibility.

"Yes, that was [Dolcetti's] plan all year long. She will step up into a leader, captain role for us," Edwards said.

Coach Edwards also thinks the next two recruiting classes will be a great asset. She emphasized that this says a lot about the school attracting talented athletes as well as good students.

"I am really excited for the recruiting class for the fall," Pennington said. "I have heard they are a really solid group and can't wait to see the impact they will bring to the team."

Pennington started all 20 matches of the season as a freshman, making a big impact on defense and, in the last games, as an outside midfielder. She joined the team in January and said she considers this key in her adaptation to the team and her development as a player.

"I think coming in the spring definitely gave me a head start for the fall," she said. "I knew what to expect from the coaches, their style of play, and this summer was able to work on things they wanted me to improve on."

Pennington played most of the season as an outside back, because a team priority was to build the defensive line and piece the team together from there. "I really enjoyed getting to play forward and outside flank towards the end of the year," she said.

Edwards does not hide her admiration for Pennington´s performance, and leaves the door open to a position change depending on the recruits.

"Katey [Pennington] is our best outside back, but also probably our best outside midfielder. We were aware of her attacking abilities," Edwards said. "KP [her team nickname] just wants to help the team in whatever role she is given. She will be on the field all the time."