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Illustration by Rebecca Straughmatt |
National contender
Ranking highlights team’s success
Mike Fowler
Mesa Legend
The Mesa Community College Women’s soccer team finished their season Nov 20, earning a #6 spot in the national rankings and compiling an impressive 20-5 overall record.
Making their second straight appearance in the NJCAA Women’s Soccer Division I National Tournament, the Thunderbirds looked to extend their five game win streak to eight in the double elimination, four-bracket tournament.
Standing between the 5th seeded T-Birds and the national title was the undefeated, 4th seeded Schoolcraft College from Livonia, Michigan.
After giving up an early goal to Schoolcraft, Mesa tied the game 1-1 on a converted penalty kick by freshman Ashley Hale, who finished the season with 6 goals and 5 assists.
A questionable penalty late in the first half forced Mesa to continue with ten players to Schoolcraft’s eleven. The mismatch would prove to be more than the T-Birds could handle as Mesa fell to Schoolcraft, 3-1.
“I’m proud of how the girls played,” said Head Coach Tim Barmettler, “especially being down one player. We had a gutsy defensive performance once we settled down in the second half.”
Despite losing the opportunity for a national title, Mesa kept their focus as they trounced Navarro Community College the following afternoon. Goals by Amanda Nance, Verena Andrade, and team scoring leader Heather Perry who finished the year with 20, aided in the 3-1 victory and first ever National Tournament win for MCC.
The third and final match for 5th place found Mesa squaring off against the defending national champs and conference rivals, Dixie State College.
The hard fought, 1-0 grudge match ended in Dixie’s favor, placing Mesa 6th for the tournament.
Assistant Coach Darren Toohey felt that the tournament record failed to show the team’s true achievements. “Two loses out of three obviously doesn’t reflect this team. It’s a fantastic team and the girls played tough the whole season,” said Toohey.
Of the 99 goals scored this year by the Thunderbirds, 70 were made by freshman.
“We’ve got a lot of important players coming back next season,” said Coach Barmettler, who in the off-season hopes to match this year’s freshman class with an equally talented group.
“I’ve been coaching for a long time, and this is by far one of the most enjoyable teams I’ve ever had,” said Barmettler. “They’re good players, good competitors, and just good kids.”
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