September 26, 2007

Chaffey women's soccer team makes early impression
By Michelle Gardner, Staff Writer

If a nonconference showing is any indication of things to come, the Chaffey College women's soccer team should challenge for the Foothill Conference title.

The Panthers, off to a 7-2-1 start under new coach Grace Cutrona, open with a home game against Mt. San Jacinto at 4 p.m. on Friday.

Rio Hondo is the defending champion but it is Victor Valley (7-2-2) and San Bernardino Valley College (6-2) that look like the main challengers.

The Panthers had one tie with Pasadena City (1-1), with the losses coming to El Camino (4-1) and Taft (1-0).

Cutrona previously played at Fullerton Junior College and went onto earn her undergraduate and master's degrees at Cal State Fullerton, although she did not play there. She has coaching experience at Fullerton CC and at Kennedy High School and is more familiar with Orange County than the local area.

"I really didn't have any expectations," she said. "I didn't know these teams or the caliber of play. So it has been a pleasant surprise."

Cutrona said balance and strong team chemistry have been big factors this season.

"We don't rely on one player," she said. "Everyone has had a hand in the mix. We also have a group of girls that get along well and like each other; that makes a big difference. That isn't something you can coach. You either have it or you don't."

The squad is a young one with just three returning sophomores - goalkeeper Candice Jenkins (Etiwanda), halfback Kristin Johnson (Alta Loma) and center back Danielle Mathre (Upland).

The most impressive newcomers have been forward Brandy Patterson (Jurupa Valley) and midfielder Carissa Cardenas (Montclair).

The Panthers also have had to overcome a couple of key injuries.

Forward Alex Chavez (Alta Loma) played only two minutes of the first game before going down with a knee injury that will require surgery, and defender Victoria Rodriguez (Ontario) broke a wrist in practice before she played a game. The only good news is both players will get the season back with medical redshirts.

"It would have been nice to have had them but we never really did, so it's not like we know what we were missing," Cutrona said. "It might have been different if they had played half the season and then gone down. I am just happy we can have them for two more years."

LA VERNE VOLLEYBALL

The Leopards picked up four wins over the weekend at the tournament they hosted.

La Verne earned three victories by 3-0 scores in beating Redlands, Chapman and UC Santa Cruz. They also defeated Elmurst 3-1.

Senior Jodi Lindsay and sophomore Crista Jones were among six players named to the All-Tournament team.

Junior outside hitter Brianna Gonzalez also was named SCIAC female athlete of the week for her efforts in matches Sept. 9-15. She made the all-tournament team at the Teri Clemens Invitational in St. Louis by hitting .321.

She totaled 20 kills and 24 digs against Juniata and had 18 kills and five blocks against Wisconsin-Whitewater. In the other match against host Washington University, she had a school-record 32 kills and 23 digs.

The Leopards remained No. 9 in the AVCA national poll released on Tuesday. The top 10 places remained unchanged.

BRONCOS NEED WIN

Cal Poly Pomona women's volleyball team is looking to bounce back from a tough weekend. It lost two crucial CCAA matches over the weekend - one to Cal State Los Angeles, 3-1, and the other to UC San Diego, 3-0.

It only gets tougher tonight at Coussoulis Arena as the Broncos square off with Cal State San Bernardino, which is ranked No. 2 nationally and coming off wins over the same two foes they lost to.

The Broncos' strong suit continues to be blocking. Juniors Vanessa Williams and Antoinette Kathol are first and second in the conference, respectively, in that department. Williams has 71 (10 solos, 61 assists) to Kathol's 67 (12 solos, 55 assists).

Williams also ranks fifth in hitting percentage (.274). Jenna Young is third in service aces (29) and seventh in kills (174) while libero Kiting Kolar is fourth in digs (265).

RCC NOTES

The men's water polo team at Riverside Community College won three of its four matches at a Cal Baptist tournament that included primarily four-year schools.

The Tigers beat Fresno Pacific 12-5, Concordia-Irvine 10-9 and Chaffey 10-5. The loss was to Long Beach City 5-4 in sudden-death overtime.

Leading the effort were sophomore forward Millic (Ayala High School) with nine goals and freshman Braiden Santos (Los Osos) with five.

The team also includes freshman forward Mitchell Dillon (Fontana).