Women’s Weekly returns today for its fourth instalment as we look to capture the highlights, storylines, and weekly awards of our Whitecaps FC women’s team alumni throughout Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) action and national team duty. After numerous individual achievements and team successes last week, the ladies continued their impressive performances by making news across North America.
Starting in Canada, after receiving her first call-up to the Canadian women’s national team (Ron Rauch – The Victoria Times Colonist), Victoria Vikes midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki made her first appearance in a friendly against the United States last Saturday. The Red and White were playing in their first match since the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany and played to a 1-1 draw against the Americans (Canadian Soccer Association). Meanwhile, Kaylyn Kyle played a strong 69 minutes as part of the starting XI before being substituted for Desiree Scott in the same match (Canadian Soccer Association).
Also on the roster with Canada are Penn State defender Lexi Marton and Syracuse Orange midfielder Tina Romagnuolo. While the pair didn’t receive the nod from head coach John Herdman in the last match, both players still have another opportunity tomorrow as Canada battles the U.S. in another friendly (Canadian Soccer Association).
In Langley, Trinity Western University goalkeeper Kristen Funk earned back-to-back victories for the Spartans, allowing only one goal in two matches against Manitoba Bisons and Saskatchewan Huskies. With the victories, TWU improved to 2W-1L-0D on the season (Langley Advance).
At the University of North Carolina, Amber Brooks and Ranee Premji were busy in a 5-1 defeat over NC State in their ACC home opener. Brooks crossed a dangerous ball into the Wolfpack’s 18-yard box that resulted in teammate Megan Brigman capitalizing on a poor clear. Premji, meanwhile, assisted on Rebecca Crabb’s goal in the 72nd minute of the blowout victory (University of North Carolina).
With the Oregon State Beavers entering conference play this weekend, they’ll be boosted by the super play of former Whitecaps FC women’s player Chelsea Buckland. Head coach Linus Rhode expects to have last season’s Pac-10 freshman of the year, Jenna Richardson, in the line-up this weekend after rolling her ankle last week (Aaron Yost – Corvallis Gazette Times).
After coming into the season ranked #16, UCLA Bruins are continuing to create headlines across the United States with Sydney Leroux leading the charge with six goals (6). “If you would have asked me three weeks ago if we could be in this position, I would have taken it in an instant,” said head coach B.J. Snow (Debby von Winckelmann – Examiner.com).
Penn State Nittany Lions goalkeeper Erin McNulty was part of a rare three goalie clean-sheet effort, as they defeated Bucknell 4-0 victory on Tuesday night. The trio’s performance improved PSU to a 7W-3L-0D record and host Northwestern in the Big Ten home opener this weekend (GoPSUsports.com).
In a flash, Georgia Bulldogs forward Ashley Miller scored just 45 seconds into their 4-1 win over Georgia State two weeks ago. However, that wasn’t quite as fast as former Bulldogs player and 2011 Whitecaps FC women’s squad member Carrie Patterson, who had once scored 21 seconds into one game – the second fastest goal in school history – and 35 seconds into another.
