For the first time in conference history, three CAA teams advanced to the second round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship in 2007.
William & Mary defeated Georgetown 2-1in the first round, getting goals from freshman Kaitlin O’Connor and junior Claire Zimmeck, who scored for her league-leading 17th time. The Tribe fell 1-0 to Virginia in the second round when the Cavaliers found the net with just 14 seconds remaining in regulation.
James Madison scored twice in the first 5:12 of the second half and defeated Penn 2-0 in the NCAA first round. Senior Annie Lowry netted her 10th goal of the season and the 12th game-winner of her career in the 50th minute, and then assisted on freshman Cate Tisinger’s ninth goal just 49 seconds later. The Dukes lost 2-0 to West Virginia in the second round when the Mountaineers found the net twice in a 28-second span midway through the second half.
Six CAA Players Receive All-America Honors: Six CAA women’s soccer players were chosen as All-Americans by the NSCAA. JMU senior forward Annie Lowry (10g/26pts) made the second team while Hofstra senior defender Sue Weber (6a), William & Mary junior midfielder Danielle Collins (4g/2a), JMU junior midfielder Kimmy Germain (4g/2a), Hofstra senior forward Brooke DeRosa (14g/33pts) and W&M junior forward Claire Zimmeck (17g/34pts) earned third team honors.
CAA Has 15 Players Named To All-Region Teams: Fifteen CAA players received All-Region honors from the NSCAA. On the All-Mid-Atlantic squad, W&M junior goalkeeper Meghan Walker, W&M junior midfielder Danielle Collins, JMU junior midfielder Kimmy Germain, W&M junior forward Claire Zimmeck and JMU senior forward Annie Lowry made the first team, JMU freshman forward Cate Tisinger was chosen to the second team and JMU sophomore midfielder Caitlin Walko, VCU junior midfielder Megan Flanagan and JMU sophomore midfielder Corky Julien earned third-team honors. Five Hofstra players were on the All-Northeast squad with senior defender Sue Weber, junior midfielder Edel Malone and senior forward Brooke DeRosa making the first team, sophomore defender Jess Crankshaw getting a spot on the second team and freshman midfielder Tiffany Yovino chosen to the third team. UNC Wilmington junior midfielder Kelly Renkin was on the All-Southeast region third team.
Hofstra’s Riddiough Earns Regional Coaching Honor: Hofstra’s Simon Riddiough was named the Northeast Region Coach of the Year by the NSCAA. Riddiough guided the Pride to its winningest season in school history with an 18-4 overall mark and a #27 national ranking. Hofstra captured the CAA championship and then knocked off Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
W&M’s Zimmeck Named Hermann Trophy Semifinalist: William and Mary junior forward Claire Zimmeck was one of 15 semifinalists for the Hermann Trophy, which is awarded to the top nation’s top collegiate soccer player by the NSCAA. Zimmeck, who is a two-time CAA Player of the Year, led the conference with 17 goals this season, including 10 game-winners.
Three CAA Teams Receive NCAA Tournament Berths: Hofstra, James Madison and William & Mary were selected to compete in the 64-team NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship. It was the fourth time in league history, but first since 2004, that three CAA teams made the field. Hofstra was in the tournament for the second time in three years, JMU earned an NCAA spot for the eighth time in the last 13 seasons and W&M reached the NCAA’s for the 15th time in the last 16 years and 22nd time overall.
Piling Up The Victories: Hofstra and James Madison each set school records for victories this season. The Pride posted an 18-4 overall mark while the Dukes went 17-5-1 overall, including a perfect 12-0 performance at home. Combined with William & Mary’s 15-5-2 record, it marked the first time in CAA history that the conference had three teams with 15 or more wins in the same season.
Four CAA Teams Ranked Regionally: Four CAA teams were ranked regionally by Soccer Buzz in its November 12 polls. In the Mid-Atlantic region, William & Mary was ranked #4 followed by James Madison at #5 and VCU at #9. In the Northeast region Hofstra moved up to #2. The Pride was also ranked #27 nationally by Soccer Buzz.
Weber Named First Team Academic All-American:
Hofstra senior defender Sue Weber was chosen as an ESPN the Magazine first team Academic All-American. The three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year became the Pride’s first women’s soccer All-American in 2005 and played every minute of every game in her collegiate career. In the classroom, the physical education major has compiled a 3.89 GPA.
Nine Players Receive Academic Honors: Nine CAA women’s soccer players were selected to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District teams. Hofstra senior defender Sue Weber (Dist. 1) and William & Mary junior defender Abby Lauer (Dist. 3) received first-team All-District accolades, while Hofstra’s Liz Guise (Dist. 1), Drexel’s Kimberly Kabernagel (Dist. 2), Towson’s Meghan Labiak (Dist. 2), UNCW’s Jenny Cauble (Dist. 3) and George Mason’s Sarah Fack (Dist. 3) made the second team. Earning third team honors were JMU’s Annie Lowry (Dist. 3) and Melanie Schaffer (Dist.3).
Six CAA Teams In Top 100 Of Third NCAA RPI: Six CAA women’s soccer teams were ranked in the top 100 of the third RPI report released by the NCAA on Nov. 4. James Madison led the way at #15, followed by William & Mary at #25, Hofstra at #30, VCU at #68, UNC Wilmington at #78 and Georgia State at #94.
CAA Sizzles In Non-Conference Play: The CAA was dominant during the non-conference portion of its schedule with the league’s 12 teams combining for an overall mark of 54-27-4 (.659).
Zimmeck, Weber Headline All-CAA Team: William & Mary junior forward Claire Zimmeck was selected as the CAA Women’s Soccer Player of the Year for the second straight season, while Hofstra senior back Sue Weber received CAA Defensive Player of the Year honors for the third consecutive season. Zimmeck, who led the league with 17 goals and 34 points, became just the third two-time CAA Player of the Year, while Weber, who had six assists and anchored a Pride defense that posted 12 shutouts, was the first three-time winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award. James Madison freshman forward Cate Tisinger, who had nine goals and 10 assists, was named CAA Rookie of the Year and JMU’s Dave Lombardo was named Coach of the Year for the second time.
Hofstra Wins CAA Women’s Soccer Championship: Junior midfielder Edel Malone’s goal with just 7:43 remaining gave second-seeded Hofstra a 1-0 victory over #4 VCU in the title game of the CAA Women’s Soccer Championship. It was the second CAA championship in the past three years for the Pride, who set a school-record for wins in a season with the victory. On the game-winning play, Jess Crankshaw dribbled into the right side of the box and fired a cross to a wide-open Malone, who volleyed the ball into the goal from six yards away. Pride goalkeeper Krystal Robens made one save to record her sixth consecutive shutout and 11th overall.VCU keeper Emily Niman made three saves for VCU. The Rams’ best scoring attempt came when Stephanie Power’s 22-yard shot was knocked away bu Robens in the 74th minute.
VCU, Hofstra Advance To CAA Title Match: Second-seeded Hofstra and #4 VCU advanced to the title game of the CAA Women’s Soccer Championship. The Pride defeated #3 James Madison 2-0 in the first semifinal while the Rams eliminated #1 William & Mary 5-4 on penalty kicks after the squads played to a 0-0 double-overtime tie in the nightcap. Senior forward Brooke DeRosa scored a goal in each half to lead Hofstra past the Dukes. Pride goalkeeper Krystal Robens made a season-high eight saves to record her 10th shutout. VCU earned its fourth championship game appearance in five years as senior goalkeeper Emily Niman made six saves during game action to earn her 11th shutout and then made a diving stop to set up the deciding PK by freshman Laurel Pastor.