Blues Alumni News

BLUES ALUMNI AT IT AGAIN IN NCAA!

In other women's soccer news the NCAA Division I College Cup came down to the final four teams and the championship was won once again by the University of North Carolina. In seminfinal play the Tarheels took on and defeated the local UCLA Bruins. UNC went on to defeat Notre Dame in the finals. Did you know that UCLA had 10 Blues Alumni on their 2006 roster? Of course the Bruin Blues were not the only Blues Alumni who made an impact this year not only on the field but in the classroom. Duke senior Rachel Rose Cohen (2003 Graduate on the left) headlines the academic awards being named a "ESPN The Magazine" "All-American" for the second year in a row. A product of San Diego, Rachel led the Blue Devils on the defensive end starting all 21 contests, while leading the Blue Devils to nine shutouts. Over her four years with the Blue Devils, Rachel led Duke to 41 shutouts and 52 victories. The 5-4 defender owns a 3.81 grade point average and is majoring in biological anthropology and anatomy. Rachel is a three-time ACC Honor Roll selection and has made the Dean's List at Duke five different times.

Joining Rachel as an academic awards recipient this season is Arizona State University Junior and Blues Alumni Kyleyn Felts (2004 Graduate on the right) who currently has a 4.00 in Graphic Design at ASU and received Academic All-Pac-10 First Team honors. Kyleyn was also selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VIII First Team. She is also now a candidate for Academic All-America honors that will be announced later this month. Kyleyn finished her junior season helping the Sun Devils turn in seven shut outs, the third-most in school history, including a 1-0 upset of No. 10 California.

One of Rachel Cohen's former Blues teammates was also in the news. Senior co-captain at Columbia University and Blues Alumni Shannon "The Model" Munoz (2003 Graduate left in white) became the first Columbia women's soccer player to earn Ivy League Player of the Year, the league office announced. After she missed nearly all of 2005 with an injury, Shannon came back strong in 2006, leading her team in scoring with eight goals and five assists, including a total of five goals and three assists in seven Ivy League matches. The senior forward was named Ivy League Player of the Week twice, once after a two-goal effort against Dartmouth on October 21 that vaulted the Lions into first place to stay. Shannon is ranked third all-time at Columbia in career points with 62 (22 goals, 18 assists). Oh no slouch in the classroom Shannon also made the All-Ivy League's Fall Academic Team. Way to go Model!

ERIN HARDY GETS 1st & 2nd CAP AT U20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Moscow, Russia, Blues Alumni Erin Hardy (Top Row Left In The Photo) (UCLA 2005) earned her first and second Cap for the U.S. Women's National Team as the U.S. downed the Congo 2-1 and then went onto defeat Argentina 4-1 in their second group game. The U.S. took first place in their group, went on to defeat U19 defending champions Germany in the quarterfinals but lost a heartbreaking semifinal to China by a score of 1-0. For your information "Caps" are an indication of the number of international games in which the player has played. Erin was one of only two non-capped field players on the roster, which means she has risen to the ranks of the national program for the first time this spring. Here is the link to the FIFA site with all the information about the tournament. Enlarge the photo by clicking it.

The following is the bio for Erin on the National Team Website: The speedy and skillful Hardy helped anchor the UCLA back line (which was led by former U.S. U-19 international Jill Oakes) that allowed just 12 goals on the season and racked up 18 shutouts. Hardy made a late run for one of the final spots on the team after seeing action in several U-20 and U-21 WNT training camps leading up to the roster selection. Primarily a center back, she played in 25 matches for UCLA as a freshman, helping the team to the NCAA title game.

BLUES ALUMNI MAKE IMMEDIATE COLLEGE IMPACT

Lauren Robertson Named Big Ten Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Robertson records consecutive shutouts in debut for Buckeyes

Aug. 28, 2006 COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State women's soccer goalkeeper Lauren Robertson was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the week of Aug. 28 following her performances against Kent State Aug. 25 and Xavier Aug. 27. A true freshman, Robertson (Mission Viejo, Cal./So Cal Blues) recorded consecutive shutouts in her debut as the Buckeye keeper. Robertson became the first Buckeye since OSU all-time career shutouts leader Amber Barnes in 1998 to register back-to-back shutouts in Ohio State's first two games of a season. The effort only was completed one other time prior to Barnes (Stacey Smith in 1993). In Ohio State's 2006 season opener vs. the Golden Flashes, Robertson made four stops in the scoreless double overtime game. Robertson followed that performance with a three-save match against the Musketeers. Robertson was in goal for the full 200 minutes during the weekend.

San Diego State's Leslie and Santa Clara's Bosio honored Aug. 28, 2006

San Diego State freshman defender Lauren Leslie was named Mountain West Conference Women's Soccer Defensive Players of the Week and Santa Clara Freshman Kiki Bosio was named Santa Clara adidas MVP of the Santa Clara Tournament. Both girls were named to Soccer America's National Team of the Week.

Leslie, a San Clemente, Calif., native, started both games for the Aztecs as a freshman in the centerback position. She was the cornerstone behind a defense which shut out two teams at the Purdue Boilermaker Cup. For her efforts, she was named the tournament's Most Valuable Defensive Player. She helped limit Butler to nine shots, including three attempts in the first half. She also helped hold No. 21 Purdue to 12 shots, a day after it beat Western Kentucky, 4-1, and a season after it scored 35 goals in 20 games.

ERIN HARDY CALLED INTO U21 NATIONAL CAMP

(March, 2006, Home Depot Center) Blues Alumni and UCLA Sophomore Erin Hardy was called into the U.S. Under 21 National Camp back in March and made an impression upon the staff coaches. Tim Shulz, the head coach for the U20s, also invited her to play with them in scrimmages the following weekend against some of the local college teams and Erin showed well.

The coaches informed Erin they were impressed with her play noting her speed and composure. Although the roster was set for a competition which was to be held in Germany, they were interested in her for their next training camp in preparation for the world championships in Russia. Our sources (her parents) told us Erin was excited about how she played and performed during the week. She was honored to be invited to the camp and to be in that environment, she loves the competition and is enjoying meeting new players.

She also mentioned how much she enjoys school at UCLA and more importantly had a really successful quarter academically. Keep up the hard work Erin and good luck!

AUNTIE SARAH GETS MARRIED !

Folks watch out we have a legacy here. This photo was submitted some time ago and to the best of our recollection we believe it was September of 2005. The photo was submitted by Under 8 Blues Mom Amanda Wherly of daughter Kylee (Baby Blues) with her Aunt Sarah at Sarah's wedding. The reason this is significant and stating the obvious...Sarah is a long time Blues Alumni and was a big part of the Blues early championships. Andy must be proud...if you don't know Andy no worries, he was Sarah's Dad and a former board member.

MUNOZ, IVY LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK!

Columbia sophomore forward Shannon Munoz notched four points (1 goal, 2 assists) as the Lions went 3-0 last week to improve their winning streak to five games. Munoz set up the Lions' game-winner against Army on Wednesday with a perfectly lofted free kick that Lucie Kroening headed home. On Friday, Munoz created Columbia's first goal when her hard shot was deflected into the net by an Albany defender for an own goal. She then assisted on the Lions' second when she crossed to Gudrun Finnsdottir for an easy tap in. On Sunday, Munoz scored the game and tournament-winning goal, her third of the season, as the Lions defeated Siena to capture the Governor's Cup. For her efforts Munoz was named the tournament's offensive MVP.

Soccer Phenom Munoz Puts Her Best Foot Forward also named Ivy League Rookie of the Week. Click here for Munoz's story.

BARDSLEY SHINES FOR FULLERON !

Karen Bardsley (Right) who minds the nets for Cal State Fullerton is part of the National Team program of England.

She was selected as one of 18 players to compete with the England U21 National Team at the 2005 Nordic Cup which began on Wednesday (July 20) in Sweden.

Karen made her debut for England against Sweden in July 2003, and made her debut with the senior National Team at the 2005 Algarve Cup against Northern Ireland in a 4-0 victory. She was also selected to the England U-19 Women’s National Team for the 2004 UEFA Women’s U-19 Championships in Leipzig, Germany, helping England to the semifinals and playing all 360 minutes of England’s four matches in the tournament.

TWO MORE TEAMMATES MAKE GOOD !

Above are stories on the success of various Blues Alumni. Here are two more alumni and former teammates who have made a splash on the college scene.

Ohio State Goalkeeper Sinkway (left) Tabbed Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Click here for Sinkway's story.Tessa Baker (right) Named Pac-10 Player Of The Week. Click here for Baker's story.

HUIE HELPS U.S. NATIONAL TEAM WIN NORDIC CUP!

7/29/2003

RANDERS, Denmark- University of Portland sophomore and Blues Alumni Lindsey Huie was a key factor in helping the U.S. Under-21 Women’s National Team win its fifth consecutive Nordic Cup championship, sixth in the last seven years. Huie scored a goal in a Group A match against Iceland, clinching a trip to the Cup Championship. She also assisted on one of the two goals in a 2-1 win over Sweden in the championship victory.

Lindsey Huie scored a goal and an assist in the 2003 Nordic Cup. Click hereto take you to a few more cool photos of Lindsey!

WORLD ALL STAR LAURIE HILL WISHES BLUES THE BEST!

Mexican International and former Blues Adult player Laurie Hill was on the world stage as a key figure in Mexico's midfield in this summer's 1999 Women's World Cup.

Laurie was featured on the cover of "Soccer America" magazine in the 2-1 victory of the FIFA World All Star over the now World Champion U.S. National Team, here going up against her longtime friend and foe, U.S. superstar Julie Foudy.

Blues News met up with Laurie at a going away party for her in the San Francisco Bay area prior to the World Cup and got her autograph. Thanks for the encouragement Laurie (Hit SA Cover to the Right).

WUSA BLUES!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Four actual almuni members of the Southern California Blues Soccer club were picked in the 2003 WUSA Draft in early February as goalkeeper Erin Regan (class of 98) out of Wake Forest was drafted by the Washington Freedom, forward Ali Fennell (Class of 99) out of USC was taken in the Third Round with the 23rd pick overall by the Washington Freedom. Goalkeeper Jenni Branam (class of 99) out of UNC was taken by the San Diego Spirit in the Third Round and 17th pick overall. Defender Susie Palmer (class of 99) out of Pepperdine was taken by the Spirit in the Fourth Round, 26th overall. Midfielder Tracey Winzen (class of 99) tried out for the Spirit as a free agent and made it into the March 1 pre-season camp.

All four were competing in the pre-seasons for their WUSA clubs, trying to make the final roster of 16 players and four reserves. These players actually played for the Blues as Youth Players, not for any of the Blues coaches in other youth programs. If they made the final rosters, they would join Heather Aldama (class of 97) of the Boston Breakers as Southern California Blues playing professional soccer. At press time it is our understanding Erin Regan, Jenni Branam, and Susie Palmer made their respective teams. For more information hit the WUSA logo.

RODA GETS HONORABLE MENTION!

Former Blues player and Irvine native Katie Roda, a member of the first Blues team (graduated in 1996) and a sophomore at Dartmouth College, has been named Honorable Mention, All Ivy League.

Katie plays defensive midfielder/marking back. She narrowly missed four shots on goal (all headers) in her game vs Harvard, which Dartmouth lost 1-0. Harvard went on to play UNC 1-0 in the NCAA quarterfinals as the Ivy League champion. If Dartmouth had won that game, they would have been the Ivy League champions and would have received an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.

Dartmouth had a successful season. The only match the team lost by more than one goal was vs University of Connecticut (0-2) who played UNC for the national championship.

FIRST BLUES ALUMNI GETS MARRIED!

After eight successful years of existence on the youth soccer scene the SC Blues club has now come full circle and the first of it's youth alumni members has recently married.

BYU superstar sweeper and former Blues member Laurel Lee Simpson was married on July 17 to Aaron Roderick in Bountiful Utah.

Blues News and all Blues members want to wish Laurel and Aaron the happiest and healthiest of futures together. Congratulations!

LISA BUSCH GETS MARRIED!

The Blues Adult Women's team has been playing this season without the services of Blues Hall of Fame inductee, forward Lisa Busch. This is because Lisa has been occupied with plans to get married.

The wedding was held on Saturday March 8th at 10 AM at Saint Edward's Catholic Church in Dana Point. Lisa married Vincent Lauricella and Blues News along with all the Blues members wish Lisa and Vincent the happiest of lives together.

SHAUNA ITRI ACCEPTS INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN PRESTIGIOUS PUMA CUP!

Shauna Itri (Stanford), a member of the 1995-96 Southern California Blues Under 19 Team was asked to participate in the 1996 PUMA Cup Invitational, the nation's premier soccer event for high school senior all-stars, televised on ESPN.

Shauna is one of only 56 soccer players nationwide who were selected by Regional PUMA Cup Advisory Committees, made up of national/regional sportswriters, Olympic Development coaches and administrators, and referees. The Committees screened more than 235 elite player applications, including resumes, letters of recommendation, high school transcripts and SAT/ACT scores to make their final selections for each of the PUMA Cup teams.

It is a prestigious honor for Shauna to be recognized as a PUMA Cup All-Star, and she will serve as a positive role model for younger soccer players across the country who watch her play both now and in the future. In addition to competing in the all-star game, Shauna will be taking part in a "PUMA Cup Youth Clinic" for local St. Louis kids to meet her and the other All-Stars from across the country. She will also participate in a special outing and visit many of St. Louis' famous sites.

The PUMA Cup weekend will begin for Shauna on June 13 and the all-star game will be played on June 15, 1996. As soon as television game time becomes available it will be posted. Congratulations Shauna on your selection as a PUMA Cup All-Star and good luck in the game.