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This year in Pac-12 women's soccer

Dec 7, 2018

COMPLETE RELEASE

SAN FRANCISCO - Five Pac-12 teams earned NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament berths, all five advancing to the second round, the first time since 2007 that Pac-12 teams went undefeated in the first round. With USC, UCLA and Stanford in the third round, three Conference teams were among the final 16 teams in the tournament for a third-straight year. Stanford earned a No. 1 seed, UCLA a No. 2 seed, and USC a No. 4 seed, while WASHINGTON STATE and ARIZONA clinched at-large bids.

• Pac-12 Champion Stanford was the final league team in the Tournament, earning its ninth all-time and second-straight NCAA Women’s College Cup appearance. It was also the third-straight year at least one Pac-12 team was among the final four. Stanford was eliminated from the Tournament after a 2-0 loss in the semifinals to eventual 2018 NCAA Champion Florida State.

• The MAC Hermann Trophy named two Pac-12 student-athletes as finalists, Stanford’s sophomore forward and two-time ESPNW Player of the Year Catarina Macario and senior midfielder and Pac-12 Midfielder of the Year Jordan DiBiasi. Both were named first-team All-America, first-team All-Region, first-team All-Pac-12 and first-team CoSIDA Academic All-District 8. This is the second-straight season two Pac-12 players were named finalists. Last year, Stanford’s Andi Sullivan took home collegiate soccer’s top honor, marking the fourth Pac-12 player to win the award, all by Stanford student-athletes. If one of Stanford’s standouts wins the award, the Cardinal will have the second-most MAC Hermann winners of any program. The Pac-12 had the most representatives of any conference on the semifinalists list (5) as well as the watch list (12). This year’s winners will be announced on Jan. 4, 2019 in conjunction with the 2018 MAC Hermann Trophy Banquet at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.

• The Conference was at the top of the national poll all season, finishing the season with three teams ranked in the top 10 in the United Soccer Coaches final poll. No. 3 Stanford, No. 5 UCLA and No. 6 USC gave the Pac-12 the most teams ranked in the top 10 of any other conference. Stanford held a stronghold over the No. 1 overall spot for 19-consecutive weeks before the final rankings. The Conference also occupied the top two spots in the nation 10 of 12 weeks this year.

• Pac-12 teams were offensive powerhouses this season, as at least three teams were ranked in the top 15 in six major offensive statistic categories. UCLA led the nation in assists per game (2.82), points per game (8.36), and tied with Stanford for most goals (61). Along with UCLA, USC, Stanford and Colorado also ranked in the top 15 in apg, ppg, scoring offense, assists, and points.

• The Pac-12 now holds an all-time record of 197-130-29 (.594) in the NCAA Tournament with five national championships and five second-place finishes. After USC won the title in 2016 and Stanford claimed the crown in 2017, the Pac-12 has won the NCAA title in four of the last eight seasons and five of the last 12 years (USC ’07, STAN ’11, UCLA ’13, USC ’16, STAN ’17).

• STANFORD’s Catarina Macario was voted both Pac-12 Forward of the Year for the second-straight season. Macario’s Cardinal teammates Jordan DiBiasi was voted the Pac-12 Midfielder of the Year and Alana Cook was tabbed Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. USC’s Kaylie Collins won Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year while fellow Trojan Penelope Hocking was voted Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. For the ninth time in the last 11 years and the fourth-consecutive year, Stanford head coach Paul Ratcliffe was tabbed Pac-12 Coach of the Year.

• ARIZONA (13-6-2, 5-4-2) lost a heartbreaker in the second round of the NCAA Tournament but head coach Tony Amato has raised this program to new heights. The Wildcats have reached the postseason in four of the last six seasons, a feat no other Arizona coach has accomplished. Arizona advanced to the second round for a second-straight season. The senior class became the winningest class in team history while Kennedy Kieneker became the winningest player in program history. Third team All-Pac-12 honoree senior keeper Lainey Burdett made her mark in her final season as well, leading the Pac-12 in minutes played while having the third-most wins and shutouts. This squad has the potential to extend the team’s success with sophomores Jada Talley and Amanda Porter, who earned All-Pac-12 third team honors, and Pac-12 All-Freshman team recipient Emily Knous.

• ARIZONA STATE (10-7-1, 5-5-1) posted double-digit wins for the first time since winning 12 matches in 2014. The Sun Devils finished eighth in the league notching five wins in Conference play, its most wins since 2015, including a win over then-No. 22 Washington State.  ASU found success between its two promising freshmen forwards Nicole Douglas and Marleen Schimmer, who both landed a spot on the Pac-12 All-Freshman team. Douglas led the team with nine goals and three game-winning goals, seventh-most in the Conference. Schimmer contributed five goals, four of which came in the Sun Devils’ Conference wins.

• CALIFORNIA (5-12-2, 1-9-1) started the season 4-3-1 and finished 11th in the Conference, highlighted by back-to-back road wins over Oregon (RPI 57) and a tie against Arizona (RPI 29). The Golden Bears ranked fourth in the Conference with a .124 shot percentage and sixth in shot-on-goal percentage (.435). Leading the way was forward and third team All-Pac-12 selection junior Abi Kim who led the team with six goals, 13 points and 36 shots. In the classroom, three Bears were selected to the CoSIDA Academic All-District team, tied with Stanford for most players.

• COLORADO (13-4-2, 5-4-2) had one of its best seasons in program history behind a record-setting offense. After recording its first-ever unbeaten non-conference season, the Buffs continued to impress with a big win over then-No. 7 and undefeated Washington State on Oct. 4. An impressive offensive front set a single-season program record for goals with 47 and assists with 52, while they finished the season with the most assists in the country. CU also finished with the 12th most total points (146) and ranked fifth in total assists nationally. In net, third team All-Pac-12 selection Jalen Tompkins is now tied for the school’s lead with 37 career wins, and is the all-time leader in save percentage (.862) and goals against average (.79).

• OREGON (9-9-1, 3-8-0) started non-conference play on a hot streak with a record of 6-1-1. The Ducks broke a nine-year streak of sub-.500 seasons (9-2-2 in 2008). Senior goalie Halla Hinriksdottir made her mark on the UO record book in her final season. She is tied for first on the school’s single-season wins list, tied for second in career shutouts (16) and fifth in career saves (141). The Ducks shut out a handful of impressive teams this season and seven of their nine wins were shutouts.

• OREGON STATE (2-17-0, 1-10-0) finished the season 12th in the Conference, but its young squad showed a lot of promise, specifically freshman keeper Bridgette Skiba. Despite only playing in 13 games, Skiba finished with 78 saves for third most in the league and ranked 24th in the nation with 6.0 saves per game. The freshmen led the way on offense as well as three of five of the Beavers goal scorers played in their first season. Additionally, senior Kate Evans was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District team for her accomplishments on the field and in the classroom.

• Stanford (21-1-2, 10-0-1) continues to solidify itself as a powerhouse program with its ninth all-time NCAA Women’s College Cup apperance. The Cardinal advanced to its eighth College Cup in 11 seasons due to a 45-game unbeaten streak, the fifth-longest in NCAA history. Stanford went undefeated in Conference play to earn its fourth-consecutive and 13th all-time Pac-12 crown. Not only did Stanford take home Pac-12 Forward, Midfielder, Defender and Coach honors, the national honors also came piling in for the team. Sophomore Catarina Macario earned her second ESPNW Player of the Year award in as many seasons while also being named a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist. Macario was joined by three of her teammates on the United Soccer Coaches All-American teams. Macario, Jordan DiBiasi and Alana Cook were all named to the first-team, the most honorees on the first-team of any other program. The Cardinal finished the season tied for the most goals (61) and the seventh-best goals-against average (0.486).

• UCLA (17-3-2, 9-2-0) fell in PKs to North Carolina in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, but the Bruins put forth a historic postseason performance. The Bruins started the tournament with three decisive 5-0 results in the first three rounds and scored 17 goals in four rounds, moving the team into second place in the nation for points (184) and first in goals (61). Sophomore Ashley Sanchez tied the school record for single-season assists with 15 and broke the record for most assists in the postseason with seven. To top it off, she also broke the record for longest point-scoring streak for a Bruin in their final 13 games. Sanchez’s efforts earned her All-Pac-12 first team honors along with teammate junior Jessie Fleming. The Bruins finished in second place in the Conference and had seven student-athletes on an All-Pac-12 team, as well as two on the Pac-12 All-Freshman team.

• USC (17-2-3, 8-2-1) was also knocked out in PKs in the third round by Florida State, but the Trojans finished the year with the third-most wins in program history and second-most shutouts. In the opening round, USC defeated Long Beach State 6-0, its largest postseason margin of victory in team history. Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Penelope Hocking scored 14 goals this season, tied for the second-most in a season in school history. Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year sophomore Kaylie Collins also had an impressive campaign, ending the season with the ninth-best goals-against average in the nation (0.506) and the 11-most shutouts (10). With head coach Keidane McAlpine at the helm, the Trojans have never missed the postseason and recorded their fifth-consecutive double-digit win season. This also marks the fourth-straight 15-win season under McAlpine and the eighth 15-win season overall for the program.

• UTAH (9-8-2, 6-4-1) started non-conference play 4-4-1 and finished fourth in the Conference. One year after finishing without a Conference win, the Utes had its second-best finish since joining the Pac-12 in 2011. It notched some significant program firsts as well, including its first win at ASU, its first win ever vs. Cal and its first win at Colorado. The win at CU was Utah’s first true road win over a ranked opponent since 2007. Offensively, senior Paola van der Veen led the league with three game-winning goals and led the team in goals (7) and points (16). Goalkeeper Carly Nelson also had an impressive season, twice being named Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the week after finishing the regular season atop the Conference charts with 92 saves.

• WASHINGTON (8-10-1, 3-8-0) finished 10th in the Conference, but this young Huskies squad showed a lot of promise this season. UW scored its most goals since 2015. It was an all-around effort as 11 Huskies tallied at least one, including seven that had multiple goals. Sophomore Olivia Van der Jagt led the team with six goals and had a five-game point streak, the third-longest in Washington history and longest since 2008. First-time starter Siena Ruelas had an impressive season in goal, recording five shutouts and earning a Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week honor.

• WASHINGTON STATE (13-6-1, 5-5-1) had an unforgettable season, starting the year 10-0-0 as the final undefeated team in the nation and advancing to the second round of the tournament for a second-straight year. WSU made it out of the first round in back-to-back seasons for the second time in program history.  The Cougs fell just short of earning a spot in the third round as top-seeded Georgetown (19-0-3) defeated the Cougars in the second round. WSU previously beat Montana 5-1 in the opening round. WSU finished the season tied for the fifth-most wins in program history and The Cougs were fueled offensively by All-Pac-12 recipients junior Morgan Weaver and senior Maddy Haro. With a career-high 30 points, Weaver scored or assisted on 41 percent of WSU’s goals and her 13 tallies tied for fourth all-time in a season in school history. Haro now holds the program’s single-season assist record (15) and was just one shy of setting the all-time career record for assists.


FINAL CONFERENCE STANDINGS (Expanded standings)

Teams Points Pac-12 Record Overall Record
Stanford 31 10-0-1 21-1-2
UCLA 27 9-2-0 17-3-2
USC 25 8-2-1 17-2-3
Utah 19 6-4-1 9-8-2
Colorado 17 5-4-2 13-4-3
Arizona 17 5-4-2 13-6-2
Washington State 16 5-5-1 13-6-1
Arizona State 16 5-5-1 10-7-1
Oregon 9 3-8-0 9-9-1
Washington 9 3-8-0 8-10-1
California 4 1-9-1 5-12-2
Oregon State 3 1-10-0 2-17-0

PAC-12 WOMEN'S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

 

Offensive

Defensive

Goalkeeper

Aug. 21 Hailie Mace, UCLA Maddy Haro, WSU Siena Ruelas, WASH
Aug. 28 Tatum Barton, COLO Mykiaa Minniss, WSU Teagan Micah, UCLA 
Sep. 4 Emma Eddy, ORE Sam Hiatt, STAN Kaylie Collins, USC
Sep. 11 Tatum Barton, COLO Kelsey Aaknes, COLO Alison Jahansouz, STAN
Sep. 18 Marissa Everett, ORE Karina Rodriguez, UCLA Jalen Tompkins, COLO
Sep. 25 Morgan Weaver, WSU Aaqila McLyn, WSU Rachel Thompson, WSU
Oct. 2 Sophia Smith, STAN Maegan O'Neill, WSU Alison Jahansouz, STAN
Oct. 9 Jorian Baucom, COLO Kaiya McCullough, UCLA Carly Nelson, UTAH
Oct. 16 Leah Pruitt, USC Delanie Sheehan, UCLA Teagan Micah, UCLA
Oct. 23 Penelope Hocking, USC Kiara Pickett, STAN Lainey Burdett, ARIZ
Oct. 30 Morgan Weaver, WSU Karina Rodriguez, UCLA Rachel Thompson, WSU
Nov. 6 Morgan Weaver, WSU Kaiya McCullough, UCLA Carly Nelson, UTAH

NATIONAL HONORS

MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List:
Alana Cook, Stanford; Tierna Davidson, Stanford; Tegan McGrady, Stanford; Jaye Boissiere, Stanford; Catarina Macario, Stanford; Hailie Mace, UCLA; Jessie Fleming, UCLA; Kaiya McCullough, UCLA; Ashley Sanchez, UCLA; Savannah DeMelo, USC; Ally Prisock, USC; Taylor Kornieck, Colorado

MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalists: 
Alana Cook, STAN
Jordan DiBiasi, STAN
Catarina Macario, STAN
Ally Prisock, USC
Ashley Sanchez, UCLA

MAC Hermann Trophy Finalists: 
Jordan DiBiasi, STAN
Catarina Macario, STAN

United Soccer Coaches DI All-Pacific Region
First Team
Kaylie Collins, K, USC
Alana Cook, D, STAN
Tegan McGrady, D, STAN
Ally Prisock, D, USC
Savannah DeMelo, M, USC
Jordan DiBiasi, M, STAN
Taylor Kornick, M, COLO
Catarina Macario, F, STAN
Ashley Sanchez, F, UCLA
Leah Pruitt, F, USC
Morgan Weaver, F, WASU

Second Team
Alison Jahansouz, K, STAN
Maddy Haro, D, WSU
Hailie Mace, D, UCLA
Karina Rodriguez, D, UCLA
Jessie Fleming, M, UCLA
Paola van der Veen, M, UTAH
Jorian Baucom, F, COLO
Penelope Hocking, F, USC

Third Team
Jemma Purfield, D, ASU
Hailey Skolmoski, S, UTAH
Nicole Douglas, F, ASU
Abi Kim, F, CAL
Jada Talley, F, ARIZ

UNITED SOCCER COACHES DI ALL-AMERICA
First Team
Alana Cook, D, STAN
Ally Prisock, D, USC
Jordan DiBiasi, M, STAN
Catarina Macario, F, STAN*
Ashley Sanchez, F, UCLA

Second Team
Kaylie Collins, K, USC
Taylor Kornieck, M, COLO

Third Team
Tegan McGrady, D, STAN
Savannah DeMelo, M, USC
Leah Pruitt, F, USC

*Asterisks indicate number of previous All-America selections

ESPNW Player of the Year Watch:
Savannah DeMelo
ready to pounce when opportunity presents itself
Sophia Smith next in long line of stars at spotless Stanford
Buffaloes' Taylor Kornieck bullish on her future in the midfield
More Catarina Macario magic is afoot at Stanford
UCLA's Jessie Fleming and Hailie Mace are gone but not forgotten
Flurry of goals only part of the story for USC freshman Penelope Hocking

ESPNW Player of the Year:
Catarina Macario, Stanford 

Top Drawer Soccer Player of the Week
Oct. 2: Sophia Smith, Stanford
O
ct. 9: Jorian Baucom, Colorado

Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week
Aug. 28: Teagan Micah, UCLA; Grace Hancock, Washington State; Savannah DeMelo, USC
Sept. 4: Ally Prisock, USC
Sept. 11: Emily Knous, Arizona; Catarina Macario, Stanford
Sept. 25: Mykiaa Minniss, Washington State
Oct. 2: Maddy Haro, Washington State; Sophia Smith, Stanford
Oct. 9: Tegan McGrady, Stanford; Viviana Villacorta, UCLA; Jorian Baucom, Colorado

Oct. 16: Leah Pruitt, USC
Oct. 23: Ashley Sanchez, UCLA; Penelope Hocking, USC
Oct. 30: Karina Rodriguez, UCLA; Marleen Schimmer, Arizona State; Catarina Macario, Stanford
N
ov. 6: Jordan DiBasi, Stanford 
Nov. 13: Alea Hyatt, USC; Jessie Fleming, UCLA
Nov. 20: Kaylie Collins, USC; Naomi Girma, Stanford; Jessie Fleming, UCLA; Ashley Sanchez, UCLA
Nov. 27: Alison Jahansouz, STAN; Jaye Boissiere, STAN; Catarina Macario, STAN

Senior CLASS Award Finalists
Alana Cook, Stanford
Hailie Mace, UCLA

Google Cloud Academic All-District Team (District 8)
First Team:

Catarina Macario, STAN
Jordan DiBiasi, STAN
Alana Cook, STAN
Haley Skolmoski, UTAH
Emily Smith, CAL
Rachel Thompson, WSU

Second Team:
Kayla Fong, CAL
Julia Hernandez, UCLA
Daisy Cleverley, CAL
Sunny Dunphy, UCLA
Kate Evans, OSU
Ashleigh Plumptre, USC

COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA
First Team
Jessica Yu, ORE
Second Team
Alana Cook, STAN