The Women's Soccer Sport Club team traveled to Phoenix, Arizona to defend their three-peat National Championship title. An intense weekend with six full games, the lady Gauchos won the 2010 National Championship against the University of Texas in PK shots.
After a seemingly flawless season, the team came to Arizona as a dominant force. With an undefeated season and a strong performance during semifinals in San Luis Obispo, the Gauchos trumped their competition easily during the first five games.
Center defender, 2nd year Nadia Zadeh, stated that their final game proved to be a challenge. The University of Texas team was stacked with large and powerful players, and the ref proved to be no help in making calls.
“We were down one in the first half, losing 1 – 0, which was weird for us since we were undefeated the entire season,” Nadia said. “There was tons of tension. People were freaking out, and we didn’t know how to handle it.”
After an upsetting first half, the lady Gauchos bonded together to tie up the score during the second half. Pushing the game to a 15-minute overtime, the score was still unsettled.
“During overtime, we were in their half the entire time,” she said. “We missed two goals, literally by an inch. This pushed the game into PKs.”
Both teams sent their best players out to end the game and to determine which team would return home with the National title. Since both teams had tied in scoring four goals and missing one, it came down to a sixth PK shootout.
“Texas went first and missed their sixth PK shot,” Nadia said. “It was up to us to finish the game, and Natalie Lemonnier made that last shot. All of us rushed the field; it was crazy. We thought we were going to lose the whole game. We were all emotional and the team was in tears.”
After a long season and an emotional ending, the team’s chemistry proves to be an important factor of their success.
“This was one of the most fun trips I’ve ever been on,” Nadia said. “I was with 20 of my best friends. We were able to play together, pump up for games by dancing and chanting, and bring home a win. For some girls it’s their fourth National Championship in a row. Ending it all like that made it that much better, and getting to see everyone’s faces was indescribable.”
Congratulations Women's Soccer! Way to bring another one home!
