2006 Women's Soccer Preview: Something to Prove
August 22, 2006

The Toro women's soccer team has something to prove this season. Having claimed the 2004 CCAA Championship, its first since 1998, CSUDH fell short in its quest to repeat, not only falling to UC San Diego in the 2005 conference title game by a 4-3 count, but also dropping a well-played and hard-fought 1-0 decision to the same Tritons in the first round of the NCAA playoffs just four days later, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of all 13 returners heading into the 2006 campaign.

“UCSD is always UCSD, no matter if you lose to them or if you beat them,” reflects head coach Joe Flanagan, preparing for the upcoming season with 13 newcomers, including two goalies whose early practices may determine who gets the starting nod come late August when the Toros play three games in five days in the great northwest. “They’re always going to be a big game and I don’t think it’s going to change too much. San Diego will be the team to beat.”

With at least two starters returning at every field position, however, Flanagan knows the 2006 Toros boast talent, experience and depth, and plans on utilizing the team’s noticeable strengths at forward and on the back line to reclaim the conference crown they captured two years ago.

“We have a great nucleus of girls in our junior class,” Flanagan says of Corrie Hirokawa, Amy Livergood, Sandy Lloyd and Fawna Waldo, the Toros’ proverbial “Fantastic 4” who combined for 89 starts in 90 games played last season. “They really had to come together this past spring in dealing with some girls leaving the team and some other issues, and they really had to step it up and take care of us in spring, which they did. I’m really excited about that core group, and I think they’re really going to break out this year.”

FORWARDS
A two-time 1st-team All-Region and 1st-team All-CCAA selection heading into her final of three seasons in Cardinal & Gold, senior Rachele McDonald led the CCAA in assists last season, was 2nd in points and T3rd in goals, notching two game-winners to give her 6 in her two-year career. At 5’5” and in just two seasons, the Ventura native is tied for 2nd in the CSUDH record book for assists in a single season, and needs 3 goals, 4 assists and 9 points to move into the Toros’ top 10 career lists in those three categories.

Stats aside, Flanagan is equally impressed with McDonald’s work ethic, a characteristic that has made her one of the top two players in the league since her arrival as a sophomore.

“Teams are always going to focus on Rachele, even though she’s tough to mark and able to go all 90 minutes,” Flanagan says. “And the fact that she works so hard, she creates on her own and can score any type of goal, that makes it that much harder for teams to contain her, even though she’s normally the focus of their defense. We’re hoping that with more production next to her she’ll be able to produce even more than last season.”

Junior Hirokawa joins McDonald in the stacked front line, boasting 4 goals, 15 points and her second-consecutive 2nd-team All-CCAA honor, despite scoring four less goals than in her freshman campaign. Last season, the Torrance native started in all 23 games and tied for 3rd in the CCAA in assists, and T17th in total points, tallying two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in 5-0 win over Western Oregon (Sept. 3) en route to notching 5 assists in the first eight games of the year.

“I think Corrie was one of our hardest working girls last year, although her scoring touch wasn’t on,” Flanagan reflects. “But I don’t expect to see that happen this year. She’ll be ready to go.”

Sophomore Kristen Boskovich made her presence felt as a true freshman last season, scoring 6 goals en route to earning 3rd-team All-CCAA honors. The Rancho Palos Verdes native finished T14th in the CCAA for goals scored after starting 15 of 20 games played, notching her first-career collegiate goal in her first collegiate appearance, a 2-1 win over Seattle (Sept. 8). Boskovich also connected for two game-winners at Cal State San Bernardino (Sept. 24) and vs. Cal State Bakersfield (Oct. 19).

“Kristen was a good story last year, someone who proved herself in practice,” says Flanagan about the 4th-leading scorer on the 2005 squad. “She’s just one of those girls who has a knack for scoring goals. She gets herself in good position and scored some good goals for us last year, and if she can improve on last year’s stats, it’s gonna take some of the heat off Rachele and Corrie.”

Senior Brittny McDonald came on strong at the tail end of last season after starting one game in 16 appearances. The more diminutive McDonald sister, Brittny scored two of her three goals on the season in a span of 3 minutes and 17 seconds during the 4-3 loss to UC San Diego in the CCAA title game (Nov. 4), less than one month after notching her first goal of the year in the 2-0 win over Cal State Stanislaus (Oct. 9).

“We will probably play her more as an outside mid this year as opposed to being up front, where she played towards the end of the season last year and scored some goals,” Flanagan predicts. “Brittny had two chances in the conference final, and scored two goals. We’re hoping she can continue from where she left off last fall.”

MIDFIELDERS
Senior Candace Hearn and junior Livergood anchor a midfield that contributed 7 goals and 9 assists last season, bringing 45 starts and 46 games played.

Hearn, the only senior to have three years of Cardinal & Gold experience under her belt, started all 23 games played in 2005 and tied for 8th in the CCAA in assists, 12th in points and 14th in goals. The Whittier native connected for the game-winning goal in the 2-0 win over Concordia to start the season (Aug. 26), and notched two goals in the 8-0 blanking at Cal State Monterey Bay less than one month later.

“Candace has been both a solid player and person for us the last couple of years,” Flanagan begins. “She’s consistent, understands us and our style of play and is a great leader on the field. She knows exactly what she’s doing which sets a great example for the ones who may not get it.”

Livergood, who earned 3rd-team All-CCAA honors in 2004 as a freshman, added three assists in the dominating 8-0 win at Cal State Monterey Bay (Sept. 18) and a goal in the 5-0 shutout at San Francisco (Oct. 14).

“Amy is a part of that junior group, someone who’s one of our hardest working players who we want to become more of an attacking influence,” says Flanagan. “We think she’s capable of getting down the main line crossing balls or scoring some goals, and now it’s time for her to really assert herself and do it.”

Ashley Dahlenburg, who saw action in 17 games as a freshman in 2004, scored her first point as a Toro in the win at CSUMB, and notched her first goal as a Toro in the win at SFSU.

But while the midfield position seems a force to be reckoned with on paper, Flanagan hopes to turn the center-mid position into a true unifying force on the field.

“I don’t think we really had a true attacking center midfielder last year who was really able to help our three forwards the way the position could,” reflects Flanagan. “That’s one thing we kind of lacked, in terms of getting our forwards the ball in the right places and we’re hoping that Ashley Dahlenburg or Amy Livergood or one of the newcomers can be that attacking center-mid to bring our forwards together.”

DEFENDERS
The Toros defense looks to be its strongest suit in 2006, with Flanagan enjoying an abundance of not only talent, but also experience and depth. Lloyd and Waldo highlight a defensive line that boasts 89 starts in 90 games, eight CCAA tournament contests, three NCAA postseason games and a CCAA Championship between the duo.

Lloyd made a repeat appearance on an All-CCAA team last year, earning 3rd-team honors after netting a 2nd-team selection in 2004. A vocal leader and skilled defender, Lloyd notched her lone assist in a 2-1 win over Cal State Bakersfield (Oct. 19), and provides a solid back line of defense deep in the Toro zone. Intangibly speaking, however, Flanagan can’t say enough about perhaps his most intense weapon on the backline.

“Sandy is the definition of consistency, someone who gives it her all and is very good at what she does,” begins Flanagan. “It’s a great package – her commitment, ability to read the game, her mental approach. She’s a great person to have, pushes the other girls and epitomizes the word captain.”

Waldo has started 44 of 45 games played in her two years in Cardinal & Gold, helping anchor a defense that earned 6 shutouts last season. A physical player, the Lakewood native fits perfectly into Flanagan’s style of play, and displays the tenacity that has made her a coach, team and fan favorite.

“Fawna had a tremendous year and deserved a conference honor,” says Flanagan as a matter of fact. “We thought she was the best left back in the conference. But she’s not the type of person who really cares about that stuff; she just wants to win. But she’s definitely an all-conference, all-region type player.”

Junior Jennifer Jimenez and sophomore Jackie Chavez are two other Toro defenders who have ample experience in Cardinal & Gold, seeing action in 31 games combined with 5 starts. Seeing action in 20 games on the year, Jimenez notched her lone assist of 2005 in a 2-1 loss to Chico State (Oct. 7), while Chavez gained valuable experience towards the end of the season as she played in four of the final six games which included the NCAA postseason contest against UC San Diego.

Sophomore Monique Castro looks to make her own comeback of sorts after utilizing a medical redshirt in 2005, following a 2004 season in which injuries limited her to just 16 games played.

“We think Mo’s got an unbelievable upside,” said Flanagan entering the 2005 year. “She’s such a strong physical presence, and her ability to serve balls out of the back, to defend people 1v1, the ability to run people down, a great mental approach to the game … she has it all.”

GOALKEEPERS
Without any of their returning players from 2005, the Toros find themselves with two newcomers who have the size, talent and experience to continue the long tradition of stellar CSUDH netminders.

Junior transfer Rachel Rood is one candidate for the starting spot, joining the Toros squad after leading Pierce College to a semifinal game of the Junior College Championships. At 6’0”, Rood anchored a Brahmas squad to an outstanding 23-1-2 record, allowing just 9 goals, good for a 0.51 goals against average in 1,585 minutes logged between the posts.

Freshman Denise Camanera will battle Rood for time in the net, after enjoying a stellar career at Rio Mesa High School. At 5’7”, Camanera’s strengths are technique and athleticism, which will suit her well as she transitions into a very competitive CCAA Conference.

“Rachel’s size will save a lot of goals by itself, and with her ability and experience, we expect her to do well,” Flanagan begins, while “Denise is a good athlete with good technique, and we’re looking forward to her making the transition to the college game and fighting for that starting spot.”

However, Flanangan concludes, “The position is up for grabs.”

NEWCOMERS
Aside from the goalkeeping duo, Natalie Moreno is the Toros’ top recruit. An incoming freshman from Long Beach Wilson, Moreno led the Bruins to four-consecutive league titles, notching 9 goals and 11 assists as a senior, following a 6 goal, 22 assist junior campaign. Named the Moore League MVP, Moreno also garnered “Player of the Year” honors, and was named Press Telegram “Dream Team” selection.

“She’s a midfielder who can play in the middle or out wide,” begins Flanagan of the two-year starter. “She’s great on the ball, has good vision and is a good passer. She’s a freshman but we think she can make an impact right away.”

THE SCHEDULE
The Toros begin 2006 in the great northwest, sandwiching a contest at 2005 NCAA Finalist Seattle Pacific with games at Western Washington and Seattle University, three match-ups in a span of just five days. After their Washington adventure, Grand Canyon pays Carson a visit for CSUDH’s home opener on Tuesday, September 5, before CCAA Conference play begins with Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino visiting Toro Stadium on September 8 and 10.

“It’s a tough way to start but it’s something we do every year, starting with solid competition to see where we stand.”

CSUDH then competes on the road for nearly three weeks in mid-to-late September, which includes a 7:00 p.m. prime-time battle at CCAA Champion UC San Diego on Tuesday, September 12, before returning home to host new CCAA member Humboldt State on Friday, September 29, and Sonoma State on October 1.

UC San Diego then makes its first and only appearance in Carson on October 4 as the reigning CCAA Champions, 11 months after besting the Toros in the conference tournament, before the Toros play four of their final six games on the road. CSUDH visits Cal State San Bernardino and Cal Poly Pomona on October 6 and 8, before hosting Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State L.A. one week later, with Sunday’s match-up against the Golden Eagles marking the final regular season home game for CSUDH’s seniors.

“With Cal State Stanislaus improving so much, and with Cal State San Bernardino, Cal State L.A. and Pomona just in the south, not to mention UC San Diego, the competition in the conference itself has gotten much better over the years, and this year is no exception,” states Flanagan, anticipating the battle for the CCAA title this season.

The Toros conclude their regular season on Sunday, October 22 at San Francisco State prior to the start of the CCAA Tournament, slated to begin the weekend of October 27.

FINAL THOUGHTS
With the focus set on reclaiming the CCAA Title, Flanangan is excited about the upcoming season, the junior class, and who will emerge as this year’s pleasant surprise(s). Noting the amount of returning players at each position, however, he doesn’t guarantee the starters are set in stone.

“We have a lot of new faces this year, and there will be opportunity to play,” Flanagan begins. “While we have that nucleus, we’re not as deep on paper right now like last year as we have so many new girls who need to transition into the college game, but if we get a couple of surprises, a couple of Kristen Boskoviches who step in right away, we’re going to be good.”