Coming Thursday: How It (Might) Go Down – From 64 to 1

Two Sport Star Alev Kelter Could Help Wisconsin Upset The Odds This Month

Sixteen Stars

-Christen Press – Stanford – F – SR

The Hermann Trophy Winner elect, Press has exploded without Kelley O’Hara as a running mate, scoring twenty-three goals and chipping in with seven assists. Ten of those goals were match winners, showing the likely first round WPS pick comes through in the clutch. The senior owns all of Stanford’s offensive records and will be aiming to further her legend in Stanford lore with the program’s first national title.

-Sydney Leroux – UCLA – F – JR

The very definition of mercurial, Canadian/American youth international Leroux’s performance will likely define the final outcome of the Bruins’ season. Capable of turning a game on its head with her athleticism and goalscoring ability, Leroux at her best is nearly unplayable. But Leroux has also proven capable of disappearing acts that would make Houdini blush. Having seemingly rounded into form over the past few matches after a dry spell and international duty, Leroux will hope to take her teammates upon her back and carry the team to another College Cup.

-Sarah Hagen – Wisconsin-Milwaukee – F – JR

“Apple” has turned ripe just in time as the seasons turned, helping the Panthers charge towards the Horizon auto-bid after some stutters in league play. With eighteen more goals to her name, Hagen is likely to destroy every school and conference record before she finishes her collegiate career. A potential future international, the Panthers will likely go as far as Hagen’s strength takes them. She gets another chance to flex her muscle against a tough defense in round one.

-Katy Frierson – Auburn – M – JR

As close to a one woman army as it gets in the college ranks, Frierson serves as both creator-in-chief and trigger-woman for the Tigers, leading the SEC side in both goals, with double the total of any of her teammates in addition to adding twelve assists. Capable of putting balls in precise places with a deft touch, including on set pieces and through balls, Frierson also packs a bullet of a shot. Just ask Florida State, who found out the hard way this year that you don’t leave Frierson a lane to shoot in from thirty-five yards and in.

-Jillian Mastroianni – Boston College – GK – JR

Likely neck and neck with Bianca Henninger as the heiress apparent to Hope Solo’s gloves as the United States’ #1. Mastroianni almost single-handedly kept the Eagles in matches with Stanford and North Carolina as BC stormed out of the gate to a #1 ranking in some polls. Elite goalkeepers are the true X-Factor in the NCAA Tournament, and if Mastroianni is at the top of her game, the Eagles may look beyond just getting to Cary.

-Tani Costa – Penn State – F – RS FR

Christine Nairn probably will grab most of the headlines for PSU, but it’s no coincidence that Erica Walsh’s team started to heat up when her redshirt freshman Hawaiian started to knock them in. Costa has almost been an allegory for her team, frustrating for a long period of time but finally coming good in the nick of time. If Costa’ late surge continues in the Big Dance, Penn State stand an outside chance of crashing the party at Cary.

-Katie Stengel – Wake Forest – F – FR

Part of one of the most dynamic freshman scoring duos in modern college history with Rachel Nuzzolese, many worried that Stengel’s supply of goals would dry up when her strike partner went down for the year with an ACL injury. Instead, Stengel kept on scoring, breaking every Wake Forest offensive record in just her first year of collegiate soccer. If Wake’s freshman sensation isn’t scoring (or at least causing problems), the Demon Deacons aren’t winning.

-Kendall Johnson – Portland – D – SO

Along with Crystal Dunn, a potential future cog in the U.S. National Team of the future. A true portrait of the modern full-back, committed on defense and capable on offense. Has been bitten by the injury bug for part of 2010 but now back in the Pilots’ lineup and critical for any title hopes for Garrett Smith’s side. Hopefully, a good display will see her on the radar for a call up to the full National side.

-Ingrid Wells – Georgetown – M – JR

Affectionately dubbed the “Little General”, Wells stands at a scant 5’2″ but has a massive impact on the pitch for the Hoyas. With an U20 World Cup winner’s medal already in her back pocket, Wells is hunting more glory as she tries to help Georgetown shed it’s “flat-track bully” reputation. In double digits in assists for the third year in a row of her collegiate career, Wells also is capable in front of goals, having knocked in eight while joint top of the team in game-winning goals.

-Kristin Arnold – Texas A&M; – GK – SR

Talented but somewhat injury prone, Arnold is without question the best professional prospect in between the pipes for the 2011 WPS Draft. Arnold has also been a key performer for the Aggies, who definitely missed her presence in goal after having suffered an injury against Portland this year. Back in good health, Arnold’s performance in goal will go a long way in determining if A&M; are to finally break their hoodoo and reach the College Cup.

-Colleen Williams – Dayton – M – SO

A player aching for a bigger stage to shine on, Williams went on a scoring rampage for the Flyers in 2010, scoring seventeen goals and adding eleven assists for UD. To put that into some perspective, Dayton scored forty-six goals in the regular season. Williams had a hand in twenty-eight of them. Criminally overlooked by the U.S. Youth National Team setup, maybe a good tournament will see her finally get a chance at the next level.

-Sinead Farrelly – Virginia – M – SR

A likely first round pick in the 2011 WPS Draft, Farrelly is an attacking midfielder with a nose for goal, as her ten goal haul for the 2010 regular season can attest to. Farrelly’s emergence as a real offensive weapon has helped free up players like Meghan Lenczyk and Lauren Alwine, helping a Cavs offense that once suffered through inconsistent bits hit new heights. Whether it’s serving as creator or finisher, it’s safe to say Farrelly will likely be involved in most of Virginia’s offensive moves in the Big Dance.

-Alex Morgan – Cal – F – SR

Perhaps you’ve heard of her. U20 World Cup winner in 2008, full U.S. international, scorer of perfect hat trick against USC, likely #1 overall pick in 2011 WPS Draft…you can go on and on about the senior from Diamond Bar. Whether she’ll actually be in Gainesville for the regional is another story with the U.S. falling into the intercontinental playoff against Italy. If she does return to the Bears, they have a real shot at upsetting the odds and finally getting past the first weekend. If not, the Bears will likely be on a plane back to Berkeley in short order. Per her twitter, Morgan will be busy getting ready for Italy and the U.S.’ World Cup Qualifier.

-Adrianna Franch – Oklahoma State – GK – SO

Rising star who is likely to be the top goalkeeper taken in the 2013 WPS Draft and a dark horse to take the gloves from Hope Solo in the future. Franch’s presence in goal has been one of the main factors in the Cowgirls rise from contender to national elite. In the NCAA Tournament, great goalkeepers are worth their weight in gold, and a strong performance from the second year player could have the Cowgirls dancing in Cary come December.

-Rose Augustin – Notre Dame – M – SR

Like a fine wine, Augustin has only gotten better with age, making the leap from very good to great player in 2010 with additional responsibility in attack. Capable of hammering screamers from distance as well as playing Hollywood balls to her gifted strike force, Augustin can do it all offensively. One of the great risers of the 2011 WPS Draft Class, Augustin could play herself into an even higher draft position if she adds to her total of five NCAA Tournament goals this tournament.

-Meghan Klingenberg – North Carolina – M – SR

Another of the 2008 U20 World Cup winning squad who has been unfairly overlooked by the full national team setup. Capable of playing left-back in a conventional back four or on the wing in North Carolina’s 3-4-3 system, Klingenberg’s pace and technical skill stand out even in UNC’s legion of stars. But what sets the 5’2″ senior apart from many of her collegiate peers is her unfaltering tenacity, drive, and heart. The Heels may on the whole lack some of the NCAA Tournament experience that has flowed through previous squads, but a player like Klingenberg may just will them over the finish line in any case.

Sixteen Who Could Be Stars

-Lindsay Bullock – Long Beach State – M – SR

A big hammer in midfield, Bullock also has a nice record of scoring goals at this level for the 49ers. Second on the team in goals this season thus far, Bullock also reeled in her second Big West Midfielder of the Year award this season. Bullock’s big presence will be key for the Beach as they try to win the midfield battle with Santa Clara on Friday.

-Aline Reis – UCF – GK – JR

Along with Brits Sokhara Goodall and Katy Ling and German U20 Bianca Joswiak, Reis is a member of Amanda Cromwell’s impressive and growing foreign legion in Orlando. Reis may be the biggest gem of all, the Brazilian quite possibly a dark horse for the Brazilian #1 shirt in either 2015 or 2019. For now though, the redshirt junior will be content with leading UCF to another national seed and possibly out of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

-Alev Kelter – Wisconsin – M – SO

Red haired Alaskan may be one of the most versatile and gifted collegiate athletes in the country. Has featured at the youth national team levels in both soccer and hockey, owning a gold medal from the 2008 U18 World Championships in the latter. A midfield battler, Kelter has scored some key goals for the Badgers in 2010, including a winner against Michigan in extra time. Twin sister Derya also plays soccer and hockey for UW.

-Venicia Reid – USF – F – JR

Jamaican senior international has provided the spark that put the Bulls over the top in their long quest to reach the NCAA Tournament. Unsurprisingly, as Reid caught fire late in the season, so did USF, winning six straight to make the Big Dance. Teams up with burly forward Chelsea Klotz to give the Bulls a devastating duo up front, capable of testing even the most assured defenses.

-Lisa Kevorkian – Boston University – F – SR

Now a standout on two coasts. After an impressive career at Cal, Kevorkian moved to Boston for graduate school and has also lent her sizable talents to the Terriers in a record setting season. With fourteen goals and seven assists in 2010, it’s safe to say Kevorkian hasn’t taken long to settle in with her new teammates. Partners with Jessica Luscinski to form one of the deadliest mid-major attacking combos in the country.

-Bri Rodriguez – West Virginia – M – SO

Went from strength to strength in her second year in Morgantown, adding some clutch goals to crisp passing displayed in her freshman season. Not the biggest player at 5’3″ but has already proven to be a key link between defense and attack for Nikki Izzo-Brown’s side. Knows how to put the ball on the frame of the goal, boasting a 57% shot-on-goal rate, excellent for a midfielder.

-Courtney “CoCo” Goodson – UC Irvine – D – JR

Irvine coach Scott Juniper hit the jackpot with Goodson, a transfer from Texas talented enough to make the Big XII’s All-Newcomer team as a freshman. The very definition of versatility, Goodson is listed as a midfielder/forward on the Anteater’s website but racket up Big West Defensive Player of the Year honors for 2010. Of course, Goodson’s star turn as a towering, strong defender hasn’t stopped her from scoring goals. Goodson added eight to her career tally this year while serving as a dangerous threat on set pieces.

-Jordan LaFontaine-Kussman – Washington – GK – JR

A true inspiration after beating lymphoma earlier in her collegiate career. Ex-Cal player made a long awaited return to the pitch with the Huskies after missing all of 2008 and 2009 and much of 2007 fighting the disease. One time elite goalkeeping prospect coming out of high school has proven the hype was warranted with a series of eye-catching displays in goal for Washington this season. Huskies likely wouldn’t be dancing without LaFontaine-Kussman’s contributions, and her presence in goal gives them a puncher’s chance of causing a shock in regional play.

-Sade Ayinde – Maryland – F – JR

The mystery woman of College Park, although you might not want to tell North Carolina that. Ayinde delivered one of the great cameos in ACC soccer history when she stepped in off the bench to score a pair of goals and shock UNC in Chapel Hill. Despite only averaging thirty-six minutes a half and not starting a single game in 2010, Ayinde is tied for the Maryland points lead with Jasmyne Spencer and Ashley Grove. Blessed with tremendous strength and a shot in Averbuch-ian shot, Ayinde is the absolute last thing opposing coaches want to see late in a match.

-Kylie Kallman – Minnesota – D – SR

Towering rock at the back has made Minnesota’s defense one of the most feared in the nation. Finally recognized with All-Big Ten honors, Kallman also has added in a penchant for assists this season, contributing on seven Gopher Goals in 2010. A nice target in the air on set pieces with her height or equally capable of driving corner kicks into the area for her teammates. Will be vital to Minnesota’s hopes of progressing against an explosive Texas A&M; side on Sunday if both sides advance.

-Tesa McKibben – St. Francis (PA) – F – SO

After missing almost all of her first collegiate season through injury, McKibben hit the ground running in 2010. Fifteen goals and nine assists later, McKibben had helped fire the Red Flash into their first NCAA Tournament. Teams with fellow double-digit scorer Haleigh Dunyon to form one of America’s best mid-major one-two punches. Will surely relish testing her skills against more celebrated hosts Ohio State on Friday.

-Kelsey Kearney – UNC Greensboro – GK – JR

We at AWK love our goalkeepers, and Kearney looks like one of the best in recent memory to don the gloves for a Southern Conference school. An all-conference pick from the moment she stepped on the pitch in Greensboro, Kearney looks to be busy rewriting the history books at the school, already owning the record for clean sheets for the Spartans. Against Kayla Grimsley and company on Friday, Kearney may have to make a big save or two if UNCG harbors hopes of playing at Klockner on Sunday afternoon.

-Kathryn Williamson – Florida – D – SO

Already the SEC’s best defender in just her second healthy season in Gainesville (missed 2008 with an ACL injury), Williamson added to her glittering reputation by helping to stymie South Carolina’s Kayla Grimsley in both of the sides’ 2010 meetings. With no shortage of pace, strength, work rate, or defensive instincts, Williamson could be a key figure in shutting down Mollie Pathman and Laura Weinberg on Sunday. Sadly, we won’t get to see a Morgan/Williamson duel though. A prime contender for a call-up to the U.S. U23 team.

-Vendula Strnadova – Memphis – M – SR

A full Czech international, Strnadova rules the Memphis midfield with dazzling technical skill and a keen sense of tactics. Part of a well balanced Tiger attack, leading the team with seven assists in 2010. Also has chipped in with a a pair of match-winning goals this season as Memphis won another Conference USA title. A sleeper on the WPS radar, Strnadova figures to have a nice career in Europe if she wants it if the pros in America doesn’t work out. Sister Alena is a freshman on the squad and could be every bit as talented as her sibling.

-Jennifer Williams – New Mexico – F – JR

New Mexico usually gets it done with their defense, but Williams has been the lightning to balance out the Lobos’ rearguard thunder. A tiny (5’2″) speedster, Williams has workrate to die for and a certain clutch factor, having racket up seven match-winning goals in 2009 and adding a pair more this year. Equal part creator and scorer in 2010, Williams will get a chance to strut her stuff in South Bend against fancied Notre Dame on Friday.

-Erica Campanelli – Texas – D – SR

Leading light on a mean Texas defense that is likely the Longhorns bread and butter after Leah Fortune left school to play with the Brazilian National Team. Has been a warhorse for the Longhorns, starting every match in her collegiate career for Texas. Not much of an offensive contributor, the unfussy Campanelli has still developed an odd knack of scoring against Texas A&M; in postseason play, with goals in the 2007 NCAA Tournament and 2009 Big XII Tournament against the Aggies.

View Original Post at allwhitekit.wordpress.com

• Filed Under:  
• Soccer, Sports, SportsPLUS, W. College Soccer, NCAA

This post is related to the following ongoing stories:

• 2010 NCAA Soccer