University of San Francisco Athletics

(Berkeley, Calif.) - Maite Zabala, an assistant women's soccer coach at the University of San Francisco, has been elected to the University of California Athletic Fall of Fame. Zabala is one of eight former Bears that comprise the 2011 class.

"It is a honor for me to have even been nominated for the Cal Hall of Fame, and to be inducted this year, is beyond comprehension for me right now," Zabala commented on the honor. "Congratulations to all my fellow Bears. I look forward to the events in November and thanking all those responsible for helping me during my career at Cal." 

"I am super thrilled for Maite," said USF head coach Mark Carr. "This is an incredible honor for her. We are fortunate to have her here at USF and I am looking forward to the continual growth of our soccer program with her on board."

A two-time first-team All-Pac-10 performer, Zabala was an outstanding goalkeeper for the Bears from 1997-2000. She helped Cal to three NCAA Tournaments, including a school-record 17 wins in 2000, and finished her career as the program's all-time leader in shutouts (26.5) and saves (277).

Also named team MVP on two occasions and second-team All-Pac-10 in 1997, she was a three-year team captain and a second-team Pac-10 All-Academic choice in 1999.

Zabala's high in shutouts came as a senior when she recorded 9.5 and ranked 10th in the NCAA in goals-against average (0.64). She finished with a career goals-against average of 0.88 in over 6,200 minutes of play.

She was a first-round draft pick and played professionally with three teams in the WUSA before spending the 2004 season in Spain with Athletic Bilbao.

She served as an assistant coach at Cal from 2001-06, the first three seasons as a volunteer. Zabala just completed her fourth season as an assistant at USF.

Zabala will be inducted into the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame during the formal induction ceremony, Friday, November 11 at the annual banquet at the Greek Orthodox Church Conference Center in Oakland. Zabala will also be honored, along with the other 2011 inductees, at halftime of Cal's November 12 football game vs. Oregon State at AT&T Park.

In addition to Zabala, the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame's Class of 2011, consists of:

• Ned Anderson - a rugby standout from 1968-71 and Cal's head coach from 1975-83
• Amanda Augustus/Amy Jensen - as a tennis doubles team, they captured NCAA titles in 1998 and '99
• Jan Brogan - Cal women's tennis coach from 1978-2007 and an eight-time conference coach of the year
• Dave Butler - a two-time Academic All-American and the 1983 Pac-10 men's basketball Freshman of the Year
• Deltha O'Neal - a consensus All-American as a senior who was the 1999 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year
• Bryan Price - one of the top left-handers in school history who won 25 games and struck out 235 batters