WhitecapsFCFan Posted June 27, 2005 Author Share Posted June 27, 2005 Whitecaps women continue winning Vancouver Sun June 27, 2005 FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- The loss of seven players to Canada's senior national team had little effect Sunday on the Vancouver Whitecaps, who trounced the Fort Collins Force 3-0 in a W-League women's soccer game at Force Field. The Whitecaps jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes on goals by midfielders Ashley McGhee and Sara Maglio. A breakaway goal by striker Amber Allen in the 47th minute iced the game for the Whitecaps, who improved their Western Conference-leading record to 8-1-0. The Whitecaps played without striker Katie Thorlakson, midfielders Andrea Neil and Brittany Timko, midfielder/defender Kara Lang and defenders Randee Hermus, Sasha Andrews and Sophie Schmidt, all of whom were called up to the national team for its friendly match against the U.S. national team Sunday at Virginia Beach, Va. McGhee's goal was her third in as many games and fourth of the season. It was the first goal of the year by Maglio and Allen stroked home her team-leading sixth tally of the campaign. The shutout was shared by goalkeepers Sian Bagshawe and Stephanie Weston. Bagshawe started the game and Weston played the last 20 minutes. It was the sixth consecutive victory by the Whitecaps, who conclude their four-game road trip Saturday against the Seattle Sounders. © The Vancouver Sun 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitecapsFCFan Posted July 3, 2005 Author Share Posted July 3, 2005 Whitecaps FC 2-0 over Seattle Sounders. A win in the rematch tonight puts the Caps in the playoffs. Lang and Allen scored with Allen's goal making her the all time scoring leader for the team. Game report here: http://www.whitecapsfc.com/matchnight/July2/womenresult.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitecapsFCFan Posted July 4, 2005 Author Share Posted July 4, 2005 July 3 home game. Whitecaps FC 4-0 over Seattle Sounders. Amber Allen with a hattrick (including a PK) and Kara Lang with a long-bomb-2-goalpost effort. The announced crowd was 2600 and change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitecapsFCFan Posted July 4, 2005 Author Share Posted July 4, 2005 'Caps clinch playoff berth Vancouver led by Allen's hat trick, goalie Bagshawa's seventh shut out Dan Stinson Vancouver Sun Monday, July 04, 2005 It's pad-the-stats and maintain-the-momentum time now for the Vancouver Whitecaps over the balance of the W-League women's soccer regular season. After eliminating the Seattle Sounders from Western Conference playoff contention on Saturday, the Whitecaps clinched a conference playoff berth in decisive fashion Sunday night by defeating the Washington state visitors 4-0 at Swangard Stadium. Sure-footed striker Amber Allen notched a hat trick Sunday and finished the weekend with four goals after scoring the insurance tally in the Whitecaps' 2-0 road victory over the Sounders on Saturday. "We're playing our best soccer of the season now and it's all about keeping it going," said Allen, who led the Whitecaps to their eighth-consecutive victory. "We want to be sharp going into the playoffs and still have plenty to play for. It's all about staying focused and keeping the momentum going." Allen opened scoring in the 25th minute Sunday on a breakaway run set up by midfielder Brittany Timko's through pass. She notched her second goal in the 60th minute on a set up by midfielder Kara Lang, then converted a penalty kick in the 88th as the Whitecaps put on an entertaining performance before 2,660 fans. Allen has scored 33 career goals in 47 games in a Vancouver jersey. Combined with eight assists, she is the all-time franchise scoring leader with 74 points. Lang put the Whitecaps up 2-0 in the 38th minute with one of the strangest goals ever seen at the Burnaby facility. She struck a rising ball from about 50 yards out on the right flank that sailed over the head of Sounders' goalkeeper Katie Hultin, struck the far right post, then bounced off the left post and over the goal line. It was Lang's fourth goal of the season. "It was a shot, not a cross," said a smiling Lang. "I saw the 'keeper off her line and meant to play the ball in behind her, right on the back post. But it went off the back post and eventually over the line. I was as surprised as anyone." On Saturday, Lang and Allen scored the goals in the Whitecaps' victory over the Sounders at the Starfire Sports Complex in suburban Tukwila, Wash. Lang opened the scoring in the 29th minute, converting a pass from striker Katie Thorlakson, and Allen notched the second goal in the 78th minute. The weekend wins improved the Whitecaps' conference-leading record to 10-1-0. They have three regular-season home games remaining, the first of which is Saturday against the Sounders at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna. Seattle dropped to 3-7-1 and remained fifth in the conference -- a long tumble for a team that played the Whitecaps in conference playoff games in each of the last two seasons. GOAL DUST: Thorlakson and midfelder Amy Apps were injury scratches Sunday ... Three Whitecaps have been named to the latest W-League team of the week for their contributions in the team's sweep of a recent three-game Colorado road trip: goalkeeper Sian Bagshawe, who conceded only one goal, midfielder Ashley McGhee, who scored the first goal in all three games, and defender Randee Hermus ... Goaltender Bagshawe recorded her seventh shutout of the season on Sunday. dstinson@png.canwest.com © The Vancouver Sun 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted July 8, 2005 Share Posted July 8, 2005 If anybody is interested photos from Whitecaps Women's games are posted at http://rfhsoccer.fotopic.net from time to time, along with Whitecaps Men and PCSL. For now there are some from the July 3 Whitecaps Women game against Seattle and a fair number of Canada - Honduras photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitecapsFCFan Posted July 11, 2005 Author Share Posted July 11, 2005 First place clinched before an announced crowd of 2400+ in Kelowna (doubleheader with the men). Report on the revamped Whitecaps website: http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/?id=1743 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitecapsFCFan Posted July 11, 2005 Author Share Posted July 11, 2005 Women secure first place, home field for playoffs Vancouver Sun Monday, July 11, 2005 The hard-charging Vancouver Whitecaps women's soccer team will play a W-League Western Conference playoff game at home for the fifth straight year. Unleashing a 39-shot attack, the Whitecaps trounced the Seattle Sounders 4-0 Saturday at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, clinching first place in the conference and home-field playoff advantage. The win improved the defending champion Whitecaps' record to a conference-best 11-1-0 and 33 points -- five more points than the second-place Arizona Heatwave (9-3-1). In the seventh minute, striker Amber Allen opened the scoring against the overwhelmed Sounders with her team-leading 10th goal on an assist from fellow front-runner Katie Thorlakson. Thorlakson scored her fifth goal in the 55th minute. That tally was followed by goals from defender Martina Franko in the 72nd and substitute forward Jodi-Anne Robinson in the 88th. Franko finished the game with one goal and two assists. "Our passing game didn't get into gear until the second half, when we really took the game to Seattle. It was an impressive second half and should have resulted in a few more goals," Allen said. It was the Whitecaps' third straight victory over the Sounders, who were without injured goalkeeper Lisa Brookens. Brookens was replaced by Janelle Munnis, normally a striker, because the Sounders travelled to Kelowna with no substitutes. Sian Bagshawe shared the shutout with Stephanie Weston, who entered in the 80th minute. The Whitecaps will host a one-game playoff against the conference's second place team on July 30 or July 31 at Swangard Stadium. The opponent is to be determined. © The Vancouver Sun 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitecapsFCFan Posted July 19, 2005 Author Share Posted July 19, 2005 The Force is with 'Caps They take some time to get rolling, but B.C. players score at will in second half to defeat Fort Collins Dan Stinson Vancouver Sun Monday, July 18, 2005 It seems clear that the Vancouver Whitecaps have to play their best players to be successful over the balance of the W-League women's soccer season -- even against a weak opponent like the Fort Collins Force. The Force came into Sunday afternoon's game at Swangard Stadium with the second-worst record in the Western Conference, but did not yield a goal until Whitecaps striker Katie Thorlakson and midfielder Kara Lang came off the bench at the start of the second half. Then the floodgates opened. The Whitecaps scored three goals in seven minutes as Lang set up Randee Hermus in the 47th, Thorlakson tapped home in the 52nd and Martina Franko converted a penalty kick in the 53rd. Franko finished the game with a hat trick and Hermus added another second-half goal as the Whitecaps rolled over the Colorado visitors 6-0 before 2,630 fans. The Whitecaps, who clinched first place in the Western Conference more than a week ago, improved to 12-1-0 while the Force dropped to 2-8-1. "It seems unusual this late in the season, but we're still trying to establish a starting 11," said Whitecaps head coach Pat Rohla. "There are some players who want to be in the starting 11 and others who are satisfied to be in the squad of 18. So my job from here on is to establish a starting 11 for the playoffs." Rohla will have ample opportunity to make up his mind. The Whitecaps play three games before they take on the Arizona Heatwave in a one-game conference playoff final on July 30 at the Burnaby facility. The winner advances to the league's final-four championship tournament, scheduled for Aug. 5-7 at Princeton, N.J. Thorlakson and Lang have been regular starters most of this season, but were bench sitters in the first half Sunday. Their absense was evident as the Whitecaps struggled to generate consistent scoring chances, mustering only a shot off the crossbar by Hermus in the fifth minute. "It made a huge difference when Kara and Katie came in," said Hermus, who was moved from centre back to midfield 25 minutes in as Rohla juggled his alignment. "They're big impact players and showed why today. Our game changed almost immediately after they came in." Next up for the Whitecaps are two exhibition games against the Washington Freedom, who were the 2003 Women's United Soccer Association champions. The Whitecaps play the Freedom on Tuesday at Caledonia Park in Nanaimo (6:30 p.m. kickoff) and Thursday at Swangard (7 p.m.). The Whitecaps then conclude their 14-game regular season next Sunday with a home match against the San Diego Gauchos. The Whitecaps trounced the Gauchos 11-0 in the first game between the teams this season June 5 in San Diego, establishing a club record for most goals in one game. GOAL DUST: Veteran Whitecaps midfielder Andrea Neil became the franchise minutes-played leader Sunday when she finished the game with 5,049 career minutes. Neil surpassed defender Liz Conner, who compiled 4,961 minutes. Conner is sitting out this season with an injury ... Franko, who alternates between fullback and striker, was named to the latest W-League team of the week after scoring a goal and recording two assists in the Whitecaps' 4-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders on July 9 at the Kelowna Apple Bowl. The Whitecaps clinched first place in the conference and home-field playoff advantage with the victory. danstinson@shaw.ca NEXT GAME WOMEN Sunday vs San Diego 4 p.m. at Swangard Stadium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitecapsFCFan Posted July 21, 2005 Author Share Posted July 21, 2005 Ex-Whitecap goalie returns to Swangard Nicci Wright backstops Washington Freedom Dan Stinson Vancouver Sun Thursday, July 21, 2005 Nicci Wright is nothing if not an optimist. She has travelled extensively in an effort to make a living in soccer and is remarkably upbeat that the professional game will resurface in the United States. It's been quite a journey for Wright. The first goalkeeper signed by the Vancouver Breakers for their inaugural 2001 W-League season, her travels have taken her to Sweden, Washington, D.C., and many other parts of the world with Canada's senior national team during an international career in which she earned 38 caps and posted 11 shutouts. Wright returns to Swangard Stadium tonight with the Washington Freedom, the only surviving team from the Women's United Soccer Association, for an exhibition game against the Whitecaps. WUSA suspended operations after only three seasons in 2003, when Wright backstopped the Freedom to the league championship. "I do believe that pro soccer in the United States will come back, but when and in what form remains to be seen," says the 32-year-old Wright, who was born in Quesnel and raised in Duncan. "There's definitely some positive vibes out there and it's a matter of finding financing and the right markets for the league to come back. The owners have one more chance to get it right, so they're taking their time. You can't really put a timeline on it." The owners thought they had it right in WUSA's first season in 2001. The league was formed on the rising tide of the game's popularity following the U.S. national team's Women's World Cup victory in 1999. WUSA's original eight teams featured several stars from the World Cup-winning side, including forwards Mia Hamm and midfielders Abby Wambach, Brandi Chastain and Tiffany Roberts. Wright signed with the Freedom after playing for Swedish First Division club Alvik in 2002. "It was a great move for me at the time," Wright says. "Our average crowds at [Washington's] RFK Stadium were about 8,000 and we led the league in attendance. The U.S. winning the World Cup definitely had a big impact on the Freedom's success, both on and off the field. Unfortunately, the crowds were not as big in most of the other markets and the league was finding it a hard go financially." Wright is one of six players still with the Freedom from their championship season. The Freedom and Whitecaps played to a 0-0 tie on Tuesday before a capacity crowd of 2,176 at Nanaimo's Caledonia Park. danstinson@shaw.ca © The Vancouver Sun 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitecapsFCFan Posted July 21, 2005 Author Share Posted July 21, 2005 Ex-Whitecap goalie returns to Swangard Nicci Wright backstops Washington Freedom Dan Stinson Vancouver Sun Thursday, July 21, 2005 Nicci Wright is nothing if not an optimist. She has travelled extensively in an effort to make a living in soccer and is remarkably upbeat that the professional game will resurface in the United States. It's been quite a journey for Wright. The first goalkeeper signed by the Vancouver Breakers for their inaugural 2001 W-League season, her travels have taken her to Sweden, Washington, D.C., and many other parts of the world with Canada's senior national team during an international career in which she earned 38 caps and posted 11 shutouts. Wright returns to Swangard Stadium tonight with the Washington Freedom, the only surviving team from the Women's United Soccer Association, for an exhibition game against the Whitecaps. WUSA suspended operations after only three seasons in 2003, when Wright backstopped the Freedom to the league championship. "I do believe that pro soccer in the United States will come back, but when and in what form remains to be seen," says the 32-year-old Wright, who was born in Quesnel and raised in Duncan. "There's definitely some positive vibes out there and it's a matter of finding financing and the right markets for the league to come back. The owners have one more chance to get it right, so they're taking their time. You can't really put a timeline on it." The owners thought they had it right in WUSA's first season in 2001. The league was formed on the rising tide of the game's popularity following the U.S. national team's Women's World Cup victory in 1999. WUSA's original eight teams featured several stars from the World Cup-winning side, including forwards Mia Hamm and midfielders Abby Wambach, Brandi Chastain and Tiffany Roberts. Wright signed with the Freedom after playing for Swedish First Division club Alvik in 2002. "It was a great move for me at the time," Wright says. "Our average crowds at [Washington's] RFK Stadium were about 8,000 and we led the league in attendance. The U.S. winning the World Cup definitely had a big impact on the Freedom's success, both on and off the field. Unfortunately, the crowds were not as big in most of the other markets and the league was finding it a hard go financially." Wright is one of six players still with the Freedom from their championship season. The Freedom and Whitecaps played to a 0-0 tie on Tuesday before a capacity crowd of 2,176 at Nanaimo's Caledonia Park. danstinson@shaw.ca © The Vancouver Sun 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitecapsFCFan Posted July 22, 2005 Author Share Posted July 22, 2005 From the Whitecaps website (I'm skeptical on the attendance figure): WHITECAPS DEFEAT THE FREEDOM 3-1 July 21, 2005 - Whitecaps Women 3 Washington DC Freedom 1 Thursday, July 21, 2005 Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, BC (attendance: 2,771) GAME PHOTOS Overview The Whitecaps hosted the ninth ranked women's club team in the world, the Washington Freedom, and turned in a superb performance, downing the reigning WUSA champions 3-1. All the more impressive, Vancouver did it without leading scorer Amber Allen who was rested for the game, perhaps showing why the Caps are ranked eighth in the world. Kara Lang blasted the Whitecaps to an early lead with another highlight-reel goal from range. Katie Thorlakson netted the winner in the 25th minute, with 17-year-old Sophie Schmidt adding an insurance goal four minutes later. All of Vancouver's scoring came in the first half, with Washington netting a 90th minute goal to break the shutout. In addition to providing an exciting and historic game, the night also raised thousands of dollars for breast cancer research. A share of the ticket sales were donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, as well as proceeds from a special jersey auction, which alone raised over $2,300 from the sale of just eight jerseys. Another nine jerseys, including the game-worn tops of Kara Lang and Andrea Neil, will now be auctioned on the Whitecaps website at www.whitecapsfc.com, starting Monday at 10:00am and going until 4:00pm Friday. The remaining jerseys will be split between the two remaining Women’s home games. The Whitecaps now play their final game of the regular season on Sunday, July 24 at home to the San Diego Gauchos, in a 4:00pm start. It's the first half of a Swangard doubleheader, with the Men hosting the Minnesota Thunder at 7:00pm. The Whitecaps open their playoffs, meanwhile, on Saturday, July 30, at home to the Arizona Heatwave in the Western Conference Final, in a 7:00pm start at Swangard. Scoring Summary 5' Vanc Kara Lang (Stephanie Smith) Smith charging up the middle tried to push the ball ahead, but it rebounded off a defender to Kara Lang wide open on the right. She teed it up from 30 yards and powered it past goalkeeper Nicci Wright who watched the ball go in off the inside of both the near post and the crossbar. 25' Vanc Katie Thorlakson (Brittany Timko) A goal straight out of the NHL playbook, as Timko in the box on the left, fired it at goal, with Thorlakson neatly getting her boot on it to subtly deflect the shot just past the keeper, and inside the far post. 29' Vanc Sophie Schmidt (Stephanie Smith) Good pressure by Andrea Neil and Stephanie Smith down the left, with Neil winning the ball deep in the box and playing it back for Smith, who fired a low cross that Schmidt ran in to first-time home from eight yards. 90' Wash Shari Summers (Hayley Hunt) Hunts' long ball into the box found Summers, who won the ball against the challenge of substitute goalkeeper Stephanie Weston, and fired into the empty net. Game Notes Washington showed the signs of a quality side unaccustomed to losing, as they held a team huddle after Vancouver's second goal in an effort to rally. They did come close to scoring at 39', as a Vancouver defensive error allowed forward Katie Watson a clear shot at goal from 14 yards. But while she got her shot past goalkeeper Sian Bagshawe, defender Randee Hermus made a great play to slide on the goal line and clear the ball away. Lang almost scored a second at 34', but her quick shot from the top of the box deflected just wide of the far post. The visitors had another good chance at 66' as midfielder Emily Janss cracked a shot from 25 yards, forcing Sian Bagshawe to make a spectacular diving save. 16-year-old Jodi-Ann Robinson almost scored for Vancouver deep into injury time, as she charged towards goal from the right, but lifted the ball just over the bar from seven yards. The Whitecaps made eight substitutions in the second half. The goal Washington scored was the first Vancouver has conceded at home this year. Whitecaps: 1.Sian Bagshawe (00.Stephanie Weston 82') - 18.Clare Rustad (3.Ciara McCormick 82'), 6.Sasha Andrews, 11.Randee Hermus (2.Emily Zurrer 82'), 13.Martina Franko (23.Lindsay Rohla 82') - 15.Kara Lang (7.Ashley McGhee 69'), 16.Sophie Schmidt, 5.Andrea Neil, 17.Brittany Timko (8.Sara Maglio 76') - 10.Stephanie Smith (4.Phebe Trotman 79'), 20.Katie Thorlakson (Jodi-Ann Robinson 67') Washington: 27.Nicci Wright (00.Mary Casey 86') - 5.Carrie Moore, 4.Kylie Bivens, 17.Casey Zimny, 15.Tiffany Roberts - 11.Emily Janss, 13.Betsy Barr, 37.April Wall (34.Lisa Zanti 40'; 20.Meggie Curran 72'), 36.Mallory Mahar (33.Shari Summers 31') - 21.Katie Watson (22.Haley Hunt 58'), 29.Kim Francis (32.Madison Keller 81') Shots: Vancouver 12 Washington 9 Saves: Vancouver 2 Washington 2 Fouls: Vancouver 12 Washington 12 Offside: Vancouver 3 Washington 2 Corner Kicks: Vancouver 2 Washington 2 Referee: Marco Aruda Cautions: Washington: Bivens 38', Janss 84' Vancouver: Schmidt 85' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitecapsFCFan Posted July 25, 2005 Author Share Posted July 25, 2005 Whitecaps women enter playoffs on winning note Head coach Pat Rohla 'very pleased' as squad finishes third with 13-1-0 record Dan Stinson Vancouver Sun Monday, July 25, 2005 The Vancouver Whitecaps had to win their last game of the regular season by 18 goals Sunday to finish first overall in the W-League women's soccer standings. They didn't come close. But then it wasn't their intention to come close. Fielding a lineup that was minus several starters, head coach Pat Rohla watched his squad defeat the expansion San Diego Gauchos 3-0 at Swangard Stadium, then said he was "very pleased" with the team's performance over the regular season. The Whitecaps concluded their 14-game schedule with a Western Conference-best 13-1-0 record -- the same record posted by the Ottawa Fury in the Northern Division and the New Jersey Wildcats in the Northeast. Goal difference determined the final overall standings, with Ottawa finishing first at plus-57, New Jersey second at plus-55, and the Whitecaps third at plus-43. The overall standings determine the seeds in the league's final four championship tournament Aug. 5-7 at Princeton, N.J. The Whitecaps' task on Sunday wasn't as farfetched as it might appear. The 'Caps trounced San Diego 11-0 in the California city on June 5, but it was a much-improved Gauchos team at the Burnaby facility. Striker Katie Thorlakson opened scoring in the 21st minute. Gauchos goalkeeper Sophia Perez saved a Thorlakson penalty kick in the 37th, but was beaten by second-half substitutes Stephanie Smith in the 49th and Randee Hermus in the 81st. The Whitecaps play host to the Arizona Heatwave on Saturday in the Western Conference playoff final. The winner advances to the final four tournament. danstinson@shaw.ca © The Vancouver Sun 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitecapsFCFan Posted July 25, 2005 Author Share Posted July 25, 2005 Whitecaps women enter playoffs on winning note Head coach Pat Rohla 'very pleased' as squad finishes third with 13-1-0 record Dan Stinson Vancouver Sun Monday, July 25, 2005 The Vancouver Whitecaps had to win their last game of the regular season by 18 goals Sunday to finish first overall in the W-League women's soccer standings. They didn't come close. But then it wasn't their intention to come close. Fielding a lineup that was minus several starters, head coach Pat Rohla watched his squad defeat the expansion San Diego Gauchos 3-0 at Swangard Stadium, then said he was "very pleased" with the team's performance over the regular season. The Whitecaps concluded their 14-game schedule with a Western Conference-best 13-1-0 record -- the same record posted by the Ottawa Fury in the Northern Division and the New Jersey Wildcats in the Northeast. Goal difference determined the final overall standings, with Ottawa finishing first at plus-57, New Jersey second at plus-55, and the Whitecaps third at plus-43. The overall standings determine the seeds in the league's final four championship tournament Aug. 5-7 at Princeton, N.J. The Whitecaps' task on Sunday wasn't as farfetched as it might appear. The 'Caps trounced San Diego 11-0 in the California city on June 5, but it was a much-improved Gauchos team at the Burnaby facility. Striker Katie Thorlakson opened scoring in the 21st minute. Gauchos goalkeeper Sophia Perez saved a Thorlakson penalty kick in the 37th, but was beaten by second-half substitutes Stephanie Smith in the 49th and Randee Hermus in the 81st. The Whitecaps play host to the Arizona Heatwave on Saturday in the Western Conference playoff final. The winner advances to the final four tournament. danstinson@shaw.ca © The Vancouver Sun 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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