Last Sunday, Nov. 1, senior defender Emma Green scored twice within a two- minute span to lead the Dons over Utah State, 2-1. Green had not scored a goal for USF in nearly four years before breaking out with her first goal of the season, followed by the eventual game-winner. "I'm glad Emma scored because she's a senior," said Patricia Simons. "For her to get two goals, particularly when they win games, is really special."
Last Wednesday at Negoesco Stadium, the kickers lost their first West Coast Conference match-up in a tight 2-1 tilt against Santa Clara, which is ranked third in the nation. "We played well against a strong team," Verhees commented after the game. "I'm pleased with our first half, and we survived the second. I'm just happy that we played with a lot of heart and worked hard." Green did a reverse of her goal on Saturday by scoring after only 3:59 minutes of play. The play began when junior midfielder Stephanie Steinhart kicked a corner kick on the ground, through Yamamoto's legs and right to Green, who placed the ball into the upper left corner of the goal. Steinhart was credited with the assist. "We practiced that play a lot at practice, but it never worked," Green said. "I'm just glad it worked then." "We've lost to them two years in a row by a 2-1 margin now," she said, "but we definitely played better this."
Returning to USF's defense line-up will be juniors Patricia Simons, Sara Keenan and Emma Green. Right now the task of replacing Clabaugh will go to Melissa Lentz, a freshman from Tempe, Arizona, whom Verhees describes as "a calm, physical, player who works well under pressure." She is expected to add speed to the sweeper position (TheFoghorn).
