CSUDH Women's Soccer Weekly Release
November 13, 2002

A QUICK LOOK BACK:
The Toros season came to a halt with a disappointing loss to UC San Diego in the semifinals of the CCAA Tournament last Thursday, 5-1.

TOROS SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE:
The Cal State Dominguez Hills women's soccer season came to an abrupt end with a 5-1 loss to UC San Diego in the first semifinal match of the 2002 California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Tournament on Thursday on the campus of Sonoma State University. A torrential downpour of rain, bringing back memories of the 1999 CCAA Championship match between CSUDH and Cal Poly Pomona, which was played in similar weather here Rohnert Park, marred throughout the game.

Down 1-0, freshman midfielder Michelle Sena (San Pedro HS) equalized at 19:26. Sena stripped the ball and dribbled to the top of the box and sent a left-footed blast to the far post knotting the score, 1-1. The goal was her second of the year.

But UC San Diego, the two-time defending NCAA II National Champions, answered just over five minutes later to take the lead for good at 24:48. At that time the floodgate's literally opened up with Mother Nature intervening with a torrential downpour of rain, which changed the conditions for the rest of the match.

Up 2-1 at the break, UCSD would go on to score three more unanswered goals in the second half for the 5-1 victory.

Cal State Dominguez Hills finished the season with an 11-7-3 record. UC San Diego, ranked No. 6 in the latest national poll, would eventually go on to win the CCAA title, 2-1, over UC Davis.

The game brings to an end the playing careers of six Toro seniors: Dianne Garza (Temple City HS), Yvette Gonzales (La Serna HS), Lecia Davis (N. Torrance HS), Norma Gutierrez (Santa Clara HS), Kim Acino (N. Torrance HS) and Amy Wetherbee (Santa Margarita HS).

FOUR CSUDH PLAYERS NAMED TO ALL-CCAA TEAM:
Four Cal State Dominguez Hills women's players garnered honors, including senior forward Dianne Garza who was named to the All-CCAA First Team. For Garza, it was the second time to receive first team honors. Senior midfielder Kim Acino and junior forward Tanya Wilson (Palm Springs HS) were selected to the All-CCAA Second Team. It was the second time Wilson was named to the second team (2000) after earning first team honors in 2001. Junior defender Chantel Eastwood (Mayfair HS) earned Honorable Mention honors in her first year in a CSUDH uniform.

CAREER LISTS:
Dianne Garza completed her CSUDH career near the top of several all-time lists. She is only the third player in Toros history to reach the century mark in points. Her 100 career points place her third in the all-time record book. Garza's 40 career goals also are third on the list while her 20 career assists rank her in a tie for eighth. Garza's 39 points in 2001 place her sixth for points in a season and her 14 goals that year rank her in eighth.

GARCIA GEARING UP FOR NEXT YEAR:
Junior goalie Alba Garcia (Don Lugo HS), who broke her leg in two places the week of Oct. 14th, will be spending all of the off-season in rehab for next year. At the time of injury, Garcia already had seven shutouts to her credit this year. She now has 12 shutouts in three seasons placing her sixth all-time in the Toros record books.

GOODBYE TORO FIELD:
The 2002 season closed out a memorable women's soccer heritage at Toro Field that began in 1984. The Toros won its first-ever NCAA national title on the hallowed ground, with a 2-1 victory over Sonoma State in 1991. CSUDH has played host to two NCAA II Soccer Final Four Championships, several NCAA playoff games and one CCAA Championship Tournament just to name a few events. Due to progress and the Home Depot National Training Center, which is set to open in June 2003, the Toros will move to a new 5,000 seat soccer complex just south of Toro Field beginning next year.

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY...:
The Toros had to play in torrential rain this last weekend at Sonoma State which was a significant factor in the outcome of the game. The field was barely playable bringing back memories of the 1999 CCAA Championship game held on the same field. CSUDH and Cal Poly Pomona battled through a four-overtime match during a terrible rainstorm, which saw Pomona win 1-0 during the final minute of the match. There is a silver lining however. If the CCAA continues the division rotational preference for the soccer championships, the Toros don't have to worry about playing in the tournament in the North division for three more years. In 2003 the Central Division will host followed by the South in 2004.

FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT:
Despite losing six seniors to graduation this year, including two-time All-Far West Region player Dianne Garza, the Toros will be strong again in 2003. Next year's squad will be experienced to say the least, potentially with 11 seniors on next year's roster. The freshman class this year consisted of five recruits, three of which redshirted. The two that played, however, were very good. 2002 CCAA Freshman of the Year candidate, Michelle Sena was solid in the midfield as was Elizabeth Arreola (Redondo Union HS). The majority of the defensive line is back, including All-CCAA player Chantel Eastwood, Kaeli Kentner (Los Alamitos HS) and Erin Fieger (Mira Costa HS). There are certainly holes to fill, including depth at the goalie position and replacing Garza's offensive prowess up top, but the 2003 Toros already have the foundation for something special next year. Stay tuned.

NSCAA/adidas Far West Region Rankings (final) Nov. 11, 2002
1. UC San Diego (15-2-1)
2. UC Davis (11-6-2)
3. San Fran. St. (12-4-4)
3. Cal Poly Pom. (11-6-2)
5. Sonoma St. (12-6-1)
6. W. Oregon (12-6-1)
7. CSUDH (11-7-3)
8. Chico St. (10-7-2)
9. Seattle Pac. (13-4-2)
10 Seattle Univ. (11-7-1)

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