TCP; Cougars kick it up against top teams

This article originally ran at www.theclackamasprint.com. Too see the original, click here.

David Beasley, Associate Sports Editor
Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012
Volume 46, Issue 1
Sports

Cougar soccer is kicking in gear this fall, with six league wins out of eight games played, the girls of Clackamas hold the No. 1 rank in the NWAACC Southern Region. Pre-league games were eventful as well; the team was challenged for their first game of the year by currently undefeated, No. 1 ranked in league, Peninsula Community College Pirates. The 0-2 loss fueled the fire for a solid 1-0 win against another very successful team, Walla Walla.

Here's the current rundown for league games this season: The beginning of September brought a 0-1 loss to Shoreline Community College followed by a month-long winning streak including a 5-1 win vs Edmonds in which forward Tayler Ficek, scored four goals. The freshman forward from North Eugene High School has led the Cougars with an incredible scoring outburst so far this season. Ficek leads the NWAACC in scoring with 13 goals, only failing to score in CCC's three losses.

Two 2-0 wins against Lane Community College and Green River Community College led up to another high scoring game for the Cougars, as they dominated Southwestern Oregon CommunityCollege 5-0.

A home game against Skagit Valley Community College at the end of September produced a convincing 3-0 win with what coach Janine Szpara praised as a game with "good defense." The winning streak stretched into October, as the Cougars outplayed Clark Community College in another 3-0 home win. Melanie Trumbull, another freshman from North Eugene, has been a stalwart in goal for the Cougars, running off a streak of four straight shutouts in September. The trend of success was halted Friday by Whatcom Community College in a frustrating 0-2 loss.

Friday's home game against Whatcom was frustrating for the team because they had three solid shots on goal, one of which bounced off the goalpost in devastating geometrical defiance, signifying the last chance Clackamas had of turning things around from an awkward 0-2 score. The two goals scored by Whatcom were nothing to write home about, but were nonetheless scored. The first goal penetrated the Cougars' defense within five minutes of kickoff; as the girls from Whatcom saw an early opening and took advantage of Clackamas' slow start. The second goal came from a controversial referee call just outside the Cougars' penalty box, as a free kick was given to Whatcom and they were able to take advantage of the close proximity to score a goal.

Assistant coach Miriam Coto commented that the game was "Frustrating, and we need to step it up."

The Cougars are on the road again, and will soon be tested by two of the better league teams. If they pick up a couple wins, they should have the momentum as a team to bulldoze the remaining competition leading up to playoffs. They will have played every current No. 1 and 2 ranked team in the NWAACC, which gives them excellent experience in preparation for this year's upcoming playoffs.

The ladies of Clackamas Cougars soccer deserve support and appreciation. They are continuing the tradition of being one of the top teams in the league and are well on their way to making a good run at the NWAACC Championship this year. Join the hooligans and fans rooting for the Cougars at their next home game: Friday, Oct. 26 vs SW Oregon at 1 p.m. at OCHS Pioneer Stadium. The first round of NWAACC playoffs is Wednesday, Nov. 7.