TCP; Cougars finish in Top 10 at NWAACC Championship

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

David Beasley, Sports Editor
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Volume 47, Issue 7
Sports

The regular volleyball season was over, but last weekend the Cougars kept swinging. The NWAACC championship was held at Mt. Hood Community College. The tournament featured 29 teams from the North west. Clackamas placed seventh in the competition.

Thursday, Nov. 21, the Cougars faced Shoreline for their first game of the championships. The game against Shoreline was an excellent example of the Cougars’ intensity and patience. Clackamas measured Shoreline’s attacks well and let the ball go when Shoreline hit it out. The game was one of attrition, so the Cougars patience really paid off. Set number one ended with a trio of well-aimed serves by Clackamas freshman Sierra VeraCruz. The Cougars 25th point ending the set was scored after a hard-fought long volley. The first set was 25-16.
Another long volley beginning set two cost the Cougars a point and Shoreline gained a slight edge with four points to nothing. Kiki Stonebraker started the comeback with a kill, and some inspiring teamwork brought Clackamas another point, bringing the score to 2-4.

Shoreline still held the lead at 4-9, then more Cougar teamwork put the points at 5-9 with a set by Alexa Toth to Bre Gibbons’ kill. VeraCruz continued the momentum with a couple of surprisingly effective back-to-back digs. Toth made great use of the second dig with a marvelous set over the net that scored. Clackamas kept catching-up at 8-9.

The set continued competitively with the score tied a few times. Stonebraker faked a spike and instead tipped the ball over the net, breaking the tie at 13-12. Shoreline ran ahead with a series of scores and was able to win the second set at 20-25.

Shoreline came back for the third set with three straight points, but Clackamas answered with three of their own to tie it up at 3-3. The Cougars held on to a good run, scoring four more before Shoreline was able to get a shot through. Gibbons fired right back with a kill earning the score of 8-4. Gibbons later powered another kill through to put the numbers at 17-13 in the Cougars’ favor. Another Gibbons power shot blasted through at 19-15. Clackamas stayed dominant in the third and won 25-18.

“Bre had like eight serves in a row,” said Stonebraker. “Stringing points together changed the momentum.”

A fourth set was played for the game, and freshman Hanna Olson scored the Cougars’ first point.

“The fourth game we got our momentum back up and when we had really good kills that got our momentum back up too,” said Olson.

It was a close set. The score reached 5-5 and a serve by Gibbons was sent back by Shoreline, meeting the great teamwork of Clackamas. The team’s perseverance gave Gibbons another opportunity to score and she landed another kill, gaining the lead at 6-5. Gibbons’ next score came from her following pin-point serve.

Celena Maxwell hit the next shot after great team set-up. The score was 8-5, but the Cougars didn’t let-up. Maxwell tipped the ball over at 13-5 and Gibbons continued to serve. Maxwell scored again on the run with a great kill, securing 20-5 before Shoreline was able to score again.

“I think the fourth set was the best because we had really good energy and came out and showed them Cougar volleyball,” said Maxwell.

When Shoreline finally did rack-up a few shots, Clackamas viciously battled back with tenacious teamwork. The scoreboard read 23-10 for Clackamas and Olson landed a solid kill. The next point won the set 25-10 for Clackamas and effectively the match was theirs, winning 3-1.

They next faced Blue Mountain. Olson was pumped coming off the game against Shoreline, she said. “I can’t wait, it’s exciting to be here,” she added.

Blue Mountain played a flawless season, entering the tournament with zero losses.

“They’re a solid team but if we come out on fire we can get ‘em,” said Stonebraker. “Anything can happen here. Lower Columbia beat Spokane. We just have to come out ready.”

The Cougars needed strong resolve and faith in their team if they wished to be competitive against the league leader.

“Oh my gosh, it felt so good to win,” said Maxwell. “The last game was a good way to end. We’re gonna come out strong with good intensity.”

Returning to the court Friday morning Nov. 22, the Cougars dropped the game against Blue Mountain, losing 1-3. Clackamas started strong and they were able to grab a victory in the first set with 25-20, but Blue Mountain secured the following three sets 15-25, 20-25 and 15-25. Clackamas was down, but not completely out as they geared-up for the losers bracket. Blue Mountain went on to win the championship against Olympic on Sunday.

The Cougars played Chemeketa later Friday evening. Using great teamwork, the ladies of Clackamas won 2-0 with 25-11 in the first set and 25-19 in the second. The team advanced and looked to keep a winning streak as they faced Spokane Saturday.

Saturday’s match decided who moved on and who dropped out. It was a very close game, but Spokane emerged victorious with the Cougars losing 1-2. Clackamas started strong with 25-22. It was a fast-paced, intense game and the Cougars seemed to have the upper hand until the score was tied 21-21 and Spokane ran ahead with a vengeance. Set two ended in 23-25. The final set went to Spokane, 11-15. Clackamas was officially out of the competition and placed seventh.

The Cougars had some excellent moments throughout the tournament. Gibbons lead the team in kills with 14 against Shoreline, 12 vs. Blue Mountain,  nine against Chemeketa, and scored 13 on Spokane.

Sunday, Gibbons and VeraCruz played for the South Region’s first team in the All-Star matches. Olson played on the second team. The North All-Stars defeated the South All-Stars 1-2 with 22-25, 25-21 and 15-11. The South All-Stars also lost to the West All-Stars 0-2 in a couple of close sets with 19-25 and 23-25.

TCP; NWAACC soccer wraps up season

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

David Beasley, Sports Editor
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Volume 47, Issue 6
Sports

NWAACC soccer season came to a close Sunday. Over the weekend, championship titles were awarded to teams.

Outstanding individual athletes and coaches were recognized and they took part in an All-Star match.

2013 NWAACC Women’s Soccer All-Stars from Clackamas were: South Region Coach of the Year Janine Szpara; South Region MVP Tori Roberts at midfield; Midfielder Claudia Flores; Defender Marci Haynes; and Keeper Melanie Trumbull. The Cougar All-Stars played for South-West in the 2-2 tie between North-East and South-West All-Star teams.

The winning women’s soccer team of the championships was Peninsula with a 2-1 victory against Edmonds on Sunday. Peninsula went undefeated in league this season.

Edmonds won their way into the final game with a victory on Saturday. That victory was a hard-fought, disappointing 1-2 loss for Clackamas. The Cougars subsequently placed third in the championships.

The ladies of Clackamas soccer are a classy and talented bunch. They were top in South Region and had an impressive season with 12-2-2 in league play. The Cougars have cause to be proud as they have proved to be one of the top teams in the league.

But luck was not on the Cougars’ side Saturday. The coin toss at the start of the game declared that Edmonds would kick off. The initial leverage of ball possession gave Edmonds a slight edge, putting Clackamas on the defensive early. Edmonds kept up the pressure.

Edmonds took a shot early in the first half that was deflected and went just wide, resulting in a corner kick. Shortly after, another Edmonds corner kick set up a header attempt that went over the Cougars’ goal.

A chill breeze and dark clouds rolled in momentarily, but the clouds passed and sun peeked back out. All-Star Claudia Florez attacked with a goal attempt that went over. The action flowed back towards the Cougars’ goal, Dija Kirkland took a hard fall while defending and a foul was called on Edmonds. Kirkland landed face-first outside the line and was down for a moment.

“She, like, kicked my ankle and I slid on the turf and twisted my ankle,” said Kirkland.

After the resulting free kick, Edmonds brought the attack back again, but Mecca Krutsinger tenaciously defended and deflected the ball. Then a corner kick by Edmonds brought a shot on goal, which Trumbull saved by smacking the ball away with both hands. Edmonds received another corner kick.

Edmonds sought another attack on goal and Trumbull showed how scrappy and resourceful she can be. With the pressure all on her, she saved multiple back-to-back, point-blank shots on goal. The Cougars used excellent teamwork and defense to stifle the attack. Trumbull was fired up. She yelled in triumph and pride for her team’s performance.

The Cougars picked up some momentum and started getting the better of the headers, defending and attacking. Towards the end of the first half, Marci Haynes showed solid defense as Edmonds attacked again. Then Edmonds shot, but it went over the goal.

The clouds returned and the sun was gone, dropping the temperature at 42 minutes on the scoreboard. As the first half neared its end, Tori Roberts took a great long shot that was just wide. It was 0-0 at halftime.

The second half began with an offside call against Clackamas. The play moved back toward Clackamas’ goal and a defensive slide tackle that looked like it hit the ball cleanly at first, was declared a foul, right outside the penalty box. Edmonds took an indirect free kick and managed to put together the first goal of the game. Clackamas was down 0-1.

Trumbull had a couple of really nice saves towards the beginning of the second half. The second attempt was a long shot that was set up by Edmonds, quickly driving up-line. On the offensive, Clackamas’ Marci Haynes intercepted and deflected an Edmonds’ pass and almost scored, but it went just wide. At 67:38 on the scoreboard, Haynes caught an assist from Roberts and scored after great teamwork and passing up-field. The score was tied 1-1.

“Tori crossed it and Marci shot and scored,” said Krutsinger

Trumbull showed more moxie and bravely challenged an attack by Edmonds, defending well. Then at 71 minutes on the scoreboard, Trumbull deftly saved a straight shot at goal. In an unfortunate turn of events, Carly Turner fouled while defending inside the Cougars’ penalty box. A direct penalty kick was awarded to Edmonds. Hannah Shouse took the kick and made it past Trumbull for her team’s second goal. Clackamas was behind 1-2.

“Defense was such a good effort, but when we messed up is when the goals happened,” said Krutsinger.

Shortly after Edmonds fouled just outside their penalty box at 75:16 on the board. Butler took the free kick straight towards goal. But Edmonds’ goalkeeper, Alecia Longsine, saved it. Tani Harr took another long shot later that was also saved. The Cougars were still battling, trying to attack and keep good defense. At 88:50 on the board, Kirkland showed more solid defense in front of the goal. A corner kick by Edmonds shortly after, turned into a shot on goal that was saved by Trumbull. Trumbull grabbed 11 saves throughout the game.

“I think it was really strong,” Flores said. “We fought all the way to the end, just couldn’t get a goal in, we couldn’t finish. We were fighting hard equally.”

The Cougars felt the sting of defeat as the match came to a close. Clackamas 1. Edmonds 2. Clackamas took third place. Edmonds lost to Peninsula Sunday and got second place.

“I thought we did good,” said Kirkland. “If we had done as good as we did against Spokane, we would have won. We tried.”

The Cougars played a strong game and had an inspiring run this season that brought them to the semifinals. Overall, they grew as a team and helped each other improve individually. Here’s to another great season turned in by the Clackamas Cougars women’s soccer team.

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.