Posts Tagged ‘soccer’
Thursday, March 15th, 2012
Six years have passed since Italy upset France to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup final, yet the mighty Azzuri remain one of the most feared teams in international soccer. So when Clint Dempsey kicked the winning goal in a friendly match against Italy on Feb. 29, soccer fans across the country felt they might as well have won the Coupe du Monde.
Dempsey’s goal off of Jozy Altidore’s assist made all the difference at the game in Genoa, Italy as the U.S. beat the European side 1-0 for the first time in 78 years and 11 meetings. It also made him only the fourth American to score against Italy.
The Yanks were without Landon Donovan and Jermaine Jones; Italian forwards Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano were also out. Manchester City’s infamous striker, Mario Balotelli, was left out of Italy’s 11 owing to his reputation as somewhat of a loose cannon.
The fact that it was merely a friendly, non-competitive game did not take away from the victory – the fourth straight win for U.S. boss Jurgen Klinsmann’s side. For the former German coach and player, beating the side that saw Germany out of the 2006 World Cup semi-finals was all that much sweeter.
The Italians are eighth in the FIFA world rankings, with four titles, while USA stands at 31 as of Feb. 15. While Europe battles it out in Euro 2012 this June, the North, Central and Caribbean will be competing to qualify for a place in Brazil 2014. The Yanks’ recent form looks promising and the win is just another boost to the team’s confidence.
Klinsmann replaced Bob Bradley in July 2011 and has brought with him his attacking tactics and aggressive revamps that gained Germany a third place finish in Germany 2006. His strategy so far has been to get the team to play away, in climates and environments that are unfamiliar. As it stands, the Yanks have played four of their ten games under the German in Europe. They have braved the likes of France, Belgium and Slovenia on their home turf already.
Klinsmann’s practice of having his players contend with the best of the best seems to be paying off. The last game the U.S. lost was a 1-0 defeat to France at Stade de France in early November 2011. Soccer fans will hope for more of the same in the friendly match against the most successful team in the world, Brazil, at home on May 30 after hosting Scotland on May 26.
Tags: 2006 FIFA World Cup, Azzuri, Brazil, Clint Dempsey, Coupe du Monde, FIFA World Cup, France, Genoa, Germany, Italy, Jozy Altidore, Klinsmann, soccer, Stade de France
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Thursday, October 27th, 2011
The Lyons field hockey team added another ‘W’ to their winning record (10-4 overall, 5-2 in NEWMAC Conference) with a 2-0 victory over Clark University last Saturday at home. For Head Coach Andy Whitcomb, the win was the 150th of her career at Mount Holyoke. In addition to celebrating this milestone, the team celebrated the contributions of its nine seniors to the program.
Two of these seniors, Tricia Chase ’12 and Shara Robertson ’12, both found the net in the contest and provided the Lyons’ offensive power. Following a scoreless first half, the hosts got on the board early in the second half when Chase scored off a penalty corner from Robertson. The Lyons converted another corner opportunity in the 67th minute. When Chase’s shot was blocked, Robertson found the rebound and buried it in the goal to give the Lyons the 2-0 advantage. Goalkeeper Katie Gibson ’12 recorded seven saves, all of them in the second half, to preserve the shutout.
Prior to the game, a brief Senior Day ceremony was held on the field. The team’s seniors include Chase, Gibson, Robertson, Jess Fajardo, Kirsti Wiemokly, Taylor Hedges, Annie Butts, Kiki Boyles and Liz Holsing.
The field hockey team’s final home game is tonight at 6 p.m. vs. UMass Dartmouth. Their last regular season match is scheduled for this Saturday at Springfield College. With a win on Saturday, the Lyons would be awarded with a first-round bye in the NEWMAC tournament. The team clinched a spot in the tournament with the Senior Day victory against Clark.
Soccer
The varsity soccer team also faced off against Clark last Saturday, but this time the victory went to the host Cougars. The Lyons battled Clark into double overtime, with Clark junior forward Hannah Moriarty scoring the winning goal to lift her team to a 3-2 win. This marked the third time this season the Lyons have played in overtime, and the second time a game has gone into double overtime. The Lyons were on the winning side of the 3-2 double overtime game against Coast Guard Academy back on Oct. 4.
This game featured a back-and-forth first half and a scoreless second half, setting the stage for overtime play. Forward Amber Legare ’15 put Mount Holyoke ahead 1-0 in the 18th minute on a goal assisted by midfielder Mary Cooke ’12. Clark responded with a goal in the 35th minute, but the Lyons reclaimed their lead right away when forward Cassidy Robinson ’15 netted her first collegiate goal. Robinson’s goal occurred only 20 seconds after Clark had tied the score. The Cougars evened out the score again when sophomore defender Jennifer O’Rourke fired a shot past Lyons goalkeeper Mackenzie Randall ’15 with five minutes left in the half.
Clark clinched a spot in the post-season NEWMAC tournament with the win. Mount Holyoke did not make the post-season and will play its final game of the 2011 season at home on Saturday against Springfield College.
Tags: field hockey, Senior Day, soccer
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Thursday, October 6th, 2011
The Mount Holyoke soccer team snapped a four-game skid Tuesday night with an exciting and hard-fought win at Coast Guard Academy. Mary Cooke ’12 scored the game-winner in double overtime, lifting the Lyons to a 3-2 victory over the Bears.
Mount Holyoke was led offensively by Hannah Yee ’15, who scored two headers off of corner kicks by Mallory Phaneuf ’13. The first came in the 16th minute and the second goal followed seven minutes later. Coast Guard answered right away with a goal of their own, cutting the Lyons’ lead in half. The hosts then evened things up at 2-2 with a goal in the 31st minute.
Both teams went scoreless in the second half, setting the stage for overtime. In the second overtime period, Cooke collected the ball from Kiana Lussier ’13 and buried it in the back of the net. This was Mount Holyoke’s first overtime win this season, and for Cooke, her first career game-winning goal.
With the win, the Lyons evened their NEWMAC record to 2-2. The team is slated to visit Babson College on Saturday.
Tags: soccer
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Thursday, September 22nd, 2011
Last Saturday, both soccer and field hockey took on rival Smith College, and both came away with victories. Here are the recaps on the Lyons’ matchups against the Pioneers.
Soccer
After falling 7-0 to Amherst College on Sept. 14, the Mount Holyoke soccer team rebounded with a solid 3-1 win at Smith on Saturday, Sept. 17. Margaret Hanmer ’12 scored the game’s first goal off an assist from Mallory Phaneuf ’13 in the 23rd minute. The Lyons would add to their lead in the second half. Phaneuf found the net in the 72nd minute, and two minutes later Kiana Lussier ’13 set up Mary Cooke ’12 to put Mount Holyoke ahead 3-0. Smith finally got on the board in the 81st minute when senior forward Jenn Chang took a shot that got past Lyon goalkeeper Emily Shank ’13. With the win, the Lyons improved to 2-1 record for the season.
Field Hockey
The Lyons exploded for seven goals in the first half and added two more in the second stanza to round out a 9-0 shutout of Smith on Saturday at the turf field. Forward Shara Robertson ’12 was the offensive star, recording a hat trick (three consecutive goals) and an assist.
The Lyons got on the scoreboard less than two minutes into the game when Stephanie Pascual ’13 scored off a penalty stroke. The next minute, Jess Fajardo ’12 found the net to put the hosts up 2-0. Robertson then recorded her first goal of the day several minutes later. The offensive onslaught continued when Stephanie Slysz ’14 assisted on a goal by Fajardo in the 14th minute. Slysz, Robertson and Kirsten Kilburn ’15 rounded out the scoring in the first half.
Mount Holyoke stayed strong in the second half. Robertson recorded her third tally in the 43rd minute and then assisted on a shot by Christine Ianni ’15 that put the Lyons ahead 9-0.
Tags: field hockey, soccer
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Thursday, September 15th, 2011
Hannah Yee ’15
A first-year midfielder, Yee comes from Amherst Regional High School in Amherst, Massachusetts, with fresh hopes of broadening her general knowledge of soccer, leading her team to a winning record and having fun. She says, “I hope to be able to contribute my speed, athleticism and physicality to the team in an effort to help the midfield stay consistently solid.”
Kanae Haneishi
Head coach Kanae Haneishi has solid goals and expectations drawn up for her athletes to rise to this season. Among these, she plans to “win more than 50 percent of their regular season games, to qualify for the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) playoffs [be in the top six teams in the conference], and advance further in the tournament.” Haneishi urges her team to remain competitive, positive, and to be the best they can be as they execute these goals. Above all, she expects her players to “always play with integrity and respect [sportsmanship], and to maintain high academic standards as a team.” This holistic approach to coaching will prove to be, if not successful, a progressive step forward in the cultivation of an effective and admirable team, and undoubtedly one to be reckoned with.
Tags: soccer
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Thursday, September 15th, 2011
Tennis
Tennis opened its season with a sweeping 9-0 victory over Saint Joseph College on Sept. 9, and then fell to New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) foe Babson College 7-2 on Sept. 10. In the match against Saint Joseph, the Lyons swept both singles and doubles. It was a different story the next day as Babson dominated the match, winning five of the six singles matchups and two of the three doubles. Maya Sayarath ’14 triumphed in the singles competition for the Lyons, while Nahrhee Han ’13 and AnnElizabeth Konkel ’14 earned the lone doubles win.
Soccer
Soccer opened the 2011 season with a win, topping Colby-Sawyer College 2-1 on Saturday, Sept. 10. The host Lyons trailed 1-0 at halftime and it took two second-half goals to secure the win. Hannah Yee ’15 recorded her first collegiate goal in the 57th minute. Yee’s shot, assisted by Mallory Phaneuf ’13, bounced in just under the crossbar to tie the score 1-1.
The Lyons kept the pressure on, and in the 62nd minute Kiana Lussier ’13 found the back of the net to put Mount Holyoke on top. The goal proved to be the game-winner.
Field Hockey
The Mount Holyoke Field Hockey team has kicked off its 2011 season with two wins. The first was a 12-1 rout of Regis College in the team’s home opener. Mount Holyoke received goals from seven different players, with several of them recording multiple tallies. Christine Ianni ’15 scored twice, while Jess Fajardo ’12 and Shara Robertson ’12 notched three goals apiece. Kirsten Kilburn ’15, Stephanie Pascual ’13, Gretchen Rowe ’15, and Caitlyn Brooks ’15 rounded out the scoring for the Lyons.
The team’s second victory came on the road against Castleton State College on Sept. 10. Tricia Chase ’12 got the scoring started in the 24th minute, and Kirsten Kilburn ’15 put Mount Holyoke up 2-0 five minutes into the second half. Castleton State answered with a goal in the 51st minute. The hosts kept pressuring, but the Lyons were able to hang on for the 2-1 victory. Mount Holyoke goalkeeper Katie Gibson ’12 recorded a career-best 17 saves in the game.
Tags: field hockey, soccer, tennis
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Friday, April 29th, 2011
Where is your hometown?
Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
What is your major/minor?
Architecture and minor in sports pedagogy.
What position do you play?
Outside mid-field and forward.
Why did you join soccer?
I joined because I really love the sport and enjoy playing it. I like competing even when it is against my own teammates. Joining soccer has allowed me to develop my character and leadership skills as well as become more of an individual.
What do you during offseason?
I go to S.S.P.A.W. [Strength Speed Power and Agility Workout], go to weight training, and participate in team bonding activities.
What’s your favorite energy drink?
Fruit punch Gatorade.
What’s your favorite movie?
The Notebook.
Who are some of your favorite artists?
Alicia Keys, and Machel Montano, a singer from Trinidad and Tobago.
What T.V. shows do you enjoy?
Skins… The British version.
Who’s your favorite athlete?
Brazillian soccer player Michel Bastos.
Tags: soccer
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Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Where are you from?
Reykjavik, Iceland.
How long have you been playing soccer for?
15 years.
What are you most excited about for next season?
Hanging out with the team again, playing soccer every day and winning games!
What do you do to train in the offseason?
We work out individually, go to SPAW (Speed, Power and Agility Workshop) every week and have captains’ practices weekly.
Favorite music?
I love Icelandic music (Sigur Rós, Björk, Múm, etc.) and also artists like The Knife, Fever Ray, Passion Pit, Florence & The Machine. I could go on forever!
Favorite food?
Every kind of potato ever invented! And also seafood.
Favorite movie?
Oh so many! Home Alone 1 & 2, Forrest Gump, Clueless, Mean Girls and many more!
What are you majoring/minoring in?
Undecided, but lately I’ve been thinking psych (but I change my mind all the time!)
Favorite soccer player(s)?
Iker Casillas, Gianluigi Buffon and the retired Oliver Kahn.
Tags: soccer
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Thursday, March 11th, 2010
How did you get selected for this forum?
It was a fairly simple process. We nominated ourselves, then were chosen by our athletics department to apply for the forum. After we were chosen to apply we filled out the official application consisting of six questions, a resume and a headshot. Then after that we just had to wait.
When did you find out you were selected?
I found out early last week. It was very exciting. I called my parents right away.
Could you talk a little about the forum? Who gets to participate, what is it about, etc.
This is how the NCAA describes it: “The NCAA Career in Sports Forum is a four day event through which selected student-athletes will explore and be educated on careers in sports, with a primary focus on collegiate athletics. Through the use of dual tracks, participants will examine the key functions of a coach or administrator within sports. Foundational skills such as communication, networking, recruiting, managing culture, transitioning and budgeting will be covered with participants. The Forum will be conducted in a two-year rotation for NCAA sponsored sports, with the inaugural Forum open to student-athletes who have interest in coaching the sports of: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Football, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling. The administrator track will cover the areas of: Academics, Compliance, Facilities, Life Skills, Marketing and Promotions and Sports Information.”
Are you considering a career in sports? Do you hope to coach someday?
I am. Sports have been very influential on my life in contributing to the woman I am today. I really want to give that same opportunity to girls. I definitely would like to coach someday, but I think I’ll do the administration track at the forum because I can make more of a difference on a larger scale.
How do you think Mount Holyoke, in terms of both academics and athletics, has influenced your future plans?
Being a part of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee has influenced my decision to be a part of athletics beyond the soccer field. There’s a lot we can do for kids that go further than teaching them the skills necessary to dribble a ball. Attending Mount Holyoke and being part of a varsity team has shown me the positive influences that athletics can have on a person.
Anything else you want to add/comment on?
I really feel honored that I was chosen to attend this forum. All of the candidates that were considered are very strong and capable women, some I felt to be more qualified than me. I’m just really humbled and honored I was chosen, and I’m going to do my best to represent Mount Holyoke to the best of my abilities.
Tags: soccer
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Thursday, February 4th, 2010
 What do sushi, soccer and sightseeing have in common? They all begin with the letter “s,” yes, but they are also all things the Mount Holyoke soccer team partook in during a trip to Japan over J-Term. According to Head Coach Kanae Haneishi, planning for this trip began after the Fall ’08 season and continued into Spring ’09 with fundraising. It all added up to an invaluable experience for the fifteen players and three coaches who made the trek, invaluable in terms of exposure to both a different style of soccer and to a different country and culture.
The journey began at 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 14 when the team departed from campus and arrived at JFK airport in New York for an early morning flight. By the time they finally reached Japan it was early evening on Jan. 15. Jetlag aside, the team jumped right into their busy schedule. First up was a women’s sport leadership seminar, in which coach Haneishi and several players gave presentations. Coach Haneishi specifically highlighted women’s athletic leadership in the U.S. She discussed women’s leadership at the collegiate level (NCAA) and talked about why it is important to have females in athletic leadership positions, such as coaches and athletic directors. There were also student presentations. JJ Archibald ’11 and Kim Johnson ’11 talked about women’s soccer in the U.S., and a representative from Japanese football association presented on Japanese women’s soccer.
 Brooke Winter-Potter ’13 (#5) keeps an eye on the ball during a match in Japan.
One highlight of the trip was the opportunity to play three matches against Japanese teams. The Mount Holyoke team, which had some Japanese women playing on their side during the games, went 1-1-1 overall. The win came against Biwako Seikei Sport College, which acted as host institution during the team’s stay.
To give the players a feel for Japanese culture, arrangements were made for everyone to sleep together in a large tatami floor room on futon mats and to have a Japanese style breakfast, which includes food like fish, rice, eggs, seaweed and miso soup. Excursions were also planned to Kyoto and Osaka. The team visited some traditional temples in Kyoto and got to see a castle in Osaka. Coach Haneishi commented on this cultural immersion: “I hope this trip expanded their [the players’] view of the world and their appreciation and respect for other cultures.”
According to Archibald, the trip was “amazing.” I have never met more people who were so excited to show us their home and teach us about their culture,” she said, adding, “I had so much fun trying new foods and exploring the cities. I want to go back as soon as possible!”
Kelsey Graaskamp ’12 and Kim Johnson ’11 echoed these sentiments. Graaskamp was so awed by the scenery and the overall experience that she remarked that, “the pictures just don’t do it justice.” Johnson described the experience as “priceless.” She said the Japanese “were so hospitable, and the soccer was amazing. You can’t put a price tag on that kind of cultural exchange.”
Tags: j-term, japan, soccer
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Candy Gonzalez '14
