Azusa Pacific, the Golden State Athletic Conference’s winningest program over the past 8 years, knows the margin of difference between championship teams and second-place teams is slim. Each of the Cougars’ past 4 conference titles came by virtue of a game or a half-game difference in the standings. That’s why the Cougars can not afford to rest easy after last year’s undefeated campaign which was ended early, by Azusa Pacific standards, with a quarterfinal loss to Simon Fraser (B.C.) in the NAIA National Championship Tournament.
Over the past 8 years, Azusa Pacific has claimed 5 conference crowns and become an annual fixture at the NAIA Tournament. However, the manner in which the Cougars get to nationals is vastly different from the high-powered offense of 1998. Since scoring a school-record 119 goals en route to their only NAIA championship to date, Azusa Pacific’s scoring decreased at a steady rate despite continued success in the win-loss column. However, the defense became nearly impenetrable during the same span, surrendering just 9 goals in each of the past 2 seasons and giving up just 32 goals in 60 games from 2003 to 2005, the lowest 3-year total in program history.
“We should be strong again defensively this year,” said Cougar head coach Jason Surrell. “With the goalkeeper, center backs and central midfield returning, we have the same strong nucleus in place that we had last year. We also have the best depth we have had in the last several years. With such a strong bench, we will be fresher than we have been in years past at the end of the season.”
Three starting defenders return in 2006, plus junior NAIA All-American second team goalkeeper Jill Colfer, who in 2 years has established a pace to shatter the program’s career goals against average mark and set a new standard for career shutouts. Surrell, the 2005 GSAC Coach of the Year, returns 3 starters in the back, including All-GSAC senior Julie Fletcher. Senior Mandy Heins and sophomore Lauren Vroom also return to anchor the Cougars’ solid back line.
Still, don’t expect Azusa Pacific to be a team that relies on its opponent to strike first to set up counterattack opportunities. Since averaging under 2 goals per game in 2003, Azusa Pacific’s balanced scoring attack has experienced modest growth, and the 2006 version uses different points of attack from midfield to the front to maximize its scoring chances. Sophomores Bridget Brotherton, who scored 9 goals in reserve action last season, and Sarah Yoro, a transfer from Pac-10 member Oregon, have to help fill the void left by the graduation of the Cougars’ leading scorer the past 2 years, 2005 GSAC Player of the Year and NAIA All-American first team selection Shannon Coe.
“Our ability to keep possession will be a huge key for us,” said Surrell. “One of our biggest unknowns is how we will capitalize on our finishing opportunities in the final third. We have the talent to be in the game no matter who we are playing, but I don’t see this team having any superstars, so we all need to be on the same page.”
FORWARDS
For the first time since 2002, Azusa Pacific’s 2005 squad featured 5 players with 4 or more goals. Despite the loss of Coe and her team-high 16 goals in 2005, the Cougars have several experienced goalscorers to lead the way. Brotherton posted the team’s highest shot percentage (.153) among players with more than 10 attempts, and her experience from playing all 22 games makes for a smooth transition into a starting role. Senior Mari Kasamoto became a full-time starter last season, and she has experience playing both forward and midfield positions.
Yoro, a sophomore transfer from Oregon, played in 12 games for the 9-9-1 Ducks, putting up 9 shots during 12 games of reserve action. Yoro’s technical skills are featured in set pieces, especially corner kicks.
MIDFIELDERS
The only things Azusa Pacific’s starting central midfielders have in common are their matching 2005 All-GSAC and NAIA All-American honorable mention accolades. Senior Jolie Nitta is a crafty, technical ball control specialist, while junior Randie Massro provides an aggressive, physical element to the midfield. Nitta has 13 career goals with 9 assists, and she is always dangerous on the ball, especially during free kicks. Massro has been equally effective both finishing and setting up scoring opportunities, tallying 7 goals and 7 assists in her first 2 collegiate seasons, and she is a strong vocal leader in the center of the Cougar midfield.
Starting spots for the outside midfield positions are wide open, as the midfield features some of the strongest depth in years. Seniors Kasamoto and Angela James have a wealth of experience and have a strong understanding of the program’s philosophies and techniques. Senior Britany Nauchtrieb returns to the field after missing last season, and sophomore Karen Lawrence, a transfer from Cal Poly Pomona, are also candidates to push for a starting spot.
Sophomores Saxony Ifland and Sara Odenthal gained valuable experience as 2005 freshmen, and freshman Lauren Lane is another candidate for regular playing time at midfield.
DEFENDERS
The real strength of the 2006 squad lies is a seasoned veteran defense anchored by seniors Fletcher and Heins. After 2 years as a reserve, Fletcher started all 22 games in 2005 and was recognized for her part in leading the central defense to 14 shutouts. Heins was also a 22-game starter as a junior transfer from Cal State San Bernardino, and she became involved in the attack, assisting on 3 goals last season. Vroom started 21 games as a 2005 freshman and will start at right back, giving the Cougars 3 returning full-time starters in the back.
The remaining starting spot could be filled by Nauchtrieb, Lawrence, or freshman Teresa Broad, a strong, physical defender who has the versatility to play a role as a forward, as well.
GOALKEEPERS
Colfer, a fixture in goal her first 2 collegiate seasons, played every minute of every game in 2005, including 125 minutes of extra time, helping post a school-record team GAA of 0.38, although she missed the individual record of 0.36 set in 2001. Her current career GAA stands at 0.46, a pace that bests the current career mark of 0.59 set by Melissa Strother, whose career spanned from 2000-03. Colfer’s 21 shutouts currently ranks fourth on the Cougar career charts, with Strother’s program record of 37 seemingly within reach, as well.
Backing up Colfer is Sally Alway, a freshman transfer who redshirted the 2005 season at West Coast Conference member St. Mary’s.
SCHEDULE
Azusa Pacific’s 6-game non-conference schedule is highlighted by a return visit to the Appalachian region, where in 2005 the Cougars toppled then-No. 1-ranked host Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) and Lee (Tenn.). For this year’s rematches in Cleveland, Tenn., both opponents are highly ranked in the NAIA Preseason Coaches Poll. No. 2-ranked Lee hosts the matches, while No. 7-ranked Lindsey Wilson looks for its first win in its 5th-ever clash with the Cougars.
The season opens Sept. 1-2 with matchups against up-and-coming Bellevue (Neb.), which fell 2 votes short of appearing in the preseason Top 25, and Hastings (Neb.) at the Point Loma Nazarene Tournament in San Diego. After nearly 2 weeks of rest, the Cougars return to action Sept. 15 in a non-conference tilt with GSAC mate San Diego Christian in the home opener. With barely 24 hours to rest, Azusa Pacific hosts No. 16-ranked Carroll (Mont.) Sept. 16.
Of course, the Cougars then return to the dogfight that is the battle for the GSAC championship, as 4 conference squads are ranked in the NAIA Top 25 poll, the only conference to do so. In fact, the defending conference champion Azusa Pacific is not even the highest-ranked team to start the 2006 season, as Westmont garnered a No. 3 ranking in the preseason poll. The Cougars visit Santa Barbara to write the next chapter in a storied and heated rivalry between programs that have claimed all but 1 conference title in the 13-year history of women’s soccer in the GSAC. Other conference tests include another difficult road matchup with No. 23-ranked California Baptist in Riverside just 4 days later, as well as an Oct. 14 home contest with No. 10-ranked Point Loma Nazarene. The Cougars kick off the conference slate at home against 2004 GSAC champ Biola Sept. 26.
