Ask-Bob.com

It seems the top spots in the polls have been up for grabs over the past few weeks. As women’s collegiate soccer heads into the post-season, one thing is for certain: nothing is guaranteed. No one is a lock for the 2000 NCAA championship title. Currently, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame hold the top spot with Washington, Nebraska, Clemson, and North Carolina rounding out the top five. Yes, the Tarheels dropped to number five after an upset loss to Florida State. So, let’s look at these top teams as they go into the post-season.

Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish completed another undefeated season after handing Michigan a 5-1 loss. Notre Dame ended with a 17-0-1 record and this was the third undefeated season in the program’s 13-year history. The team ended on a high note with its victory over the Wolverines because they had well-rounded scoring. Senior Monica Gonzalez scored her first goal of the 2000 season during her first start at forward. Anne Makinen, the outstanding senior midfielder, was credited with the assist. Set plays, especially corner kicks, proved successful for the Fighting Irish once again. Meotis Erikson, a senior forward, drilled a ball in front of the net on a corner kick and junior midfielder Mia Sarkesian connected with a header to send the ball into the near post for her third goal of the season. Freshman standout and midfielder Randi Scheller posted two goals in the Notre Dame win. Fellow freshman Amanda Guertin and sophomore midfielder Ashley Dryer assisted Scheller on her goals. Another freshman, Amy Warner, tallied the fifth goal with an assist from senior midfielder Caroline Marino. The strong scoring effort and solid defense from Notre Dame will boost the team’s confidence as they look ahead to Sunday’s Big East quarterfinal match against Miami.

Notre Dame topped off Mid-Atlantic Division play with another undefeated season. They are now 54-2-2 all-time in regular season Big East play. Before the tie with the UConn Huskies, the Irish had won 25 games versus Big East opponents. This tie with 25th ranked UConn came because the Irish could not capitalize on their scoring opportunities, a rarity for Notre Dame. The win against Michigan proved the Irish truly do have a number of scoring threats.

The Irish have a shot at the title once again this year. The experience of the seniors will need to compensate for the inexperience of the talented freshman. Notre Dame will need more well-rounded scoring and solid defensive play. Goalkeeper Liz Wagner has been consistent in the net and stepped up this season to fill the shoes of outstanding keeper LaKeysia Beene. Despite their strengths, the Irish will face some formidable challenges on their quest for the title in December, but could bring home the championship to South Bend.

Washington

Washington is on its way to solidifying its first-ever Pac-10 title. After an exciting 1-0 victory over conference rival UCLA, the Huskies will face Oregon and Oregon State to wrap up regular season play. Record-setting senior Tami Bennett scored the most memorable goal of her steller career against the Bruins. The goal came against a solid opponent in the 7th ranked Bruins and extends Bennett’s career goals to 32. The win, in front of a school-record crowd of 3,403, extended the Huskies winning streak to nine and kept Washington’s conference record unblemished. Also, this win extends the Huskies record against ranked opponents to 7-1. Their only loss came against top ranked Notre Dame.

Goalkeeper Hope Solo has been the rock of the Husky defense. She notched her fifth shutout in the win over UCLA. Solo is an All-American candidate and has two international caps for the U.S. Women’s National Team. She was also one of the four keepers in the training camp pool for the 2000 Olympic team. Solo has also found herself into the Washington record book. She currently ranks third in career saves and she’s only a sophomore.

The Huskies take on Oregon State on Friday. Washington holds a 8-1 overall record against the Beavers including winning the last six games. Later on Sunday, Washington faces Oregon to end regular season play. The Huskies have won all four matches against the Ducks. Although Washington has faced some tough ranked opponents in Santa Clara and UCLA, the Huskies will need to step it up to compete against the solid Big East and ACC teams in the tournament.

Nebraska The Huskers have captured the Big 12 title and will wrap up their regular season on Friday against Iowa State. On Sunday, Nebraska clinched the conference title with a 4-1 win over Texas Tech. This win extended the Huskers conference record to 8-1-0 and a 17-1-0 overall record. Freshman standout Lindsey Greenwood had the first multiple-goal game of her career. Sophomore Christine Latham posted a goal and two assists in the win. Latham kept her position as the conference’s leading scorer with 43 goals and she ranks fifth in career goals in the Nebraska record book. The Huskers can boast another conference leader in senior goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc. She leads the Big 12 with a goals-against average of .43, and she is one of 15 candidates for the coveted Hermann Trophy. Other Huskers to earn honors were Greenwood, who was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, and sophomore back Breanna Boyd earned Defender of the Week honors. Nebraska has been successful in Big 12 conference play but will certainly face challenges from teams in the Pac-10, Big East and ACC as they enter the post-season. In order to be successful, they’ll need strong play up front and an All-American performance from LeBlanc in the net.

Clemson

There’s a first time for everything. The Clemson Tigers have clinched the ACC title. Yes, this correct and it’s not a typo. The Tigers beat out the dynasty of the North Carolina Tarheels to earn its first-ever conference title. Clemson ended its regular season with a 0-0 tie against North Carolina State. Goalkeeper Katie Carson recorded her third straight shutout. The Tigers end with a 5-1-1 conference record and they will be the top ranked team in the ACC tournament. Clemson takes on Florida on Friday to begin the post-season. Despite North Carolina’s drop in the rankings, they have proven to be tough when the post-season hits. Carson will need to be almost flawless in the net and the Tigers will need solid performances from freshman Lindsay Browne and sophomore Deliah Arrington. Tanya Peterson, Tatum Clowney and Alison Sinclair have been contributors all season and will need to continue their great play in the tournament.

North Carolina

It’s rare to see a number other than one in front of the North Carolina name in the rankings. The Tarheels have had a roller coaster season, suffering two losses against Florida State and ACC rival Clemson. North Carolina did not capture the ACC title this year which has not happened in a while. The North Carolina Dynasty has been seriously challenged this season, and the ten Tarheel seniors are looking to overcome their fifth place ranking and go for another NCAA title.

The Tarheels face Wake Forest and Maryland this weekend as they wrap up their regular season. North Carolina does not lack the talent or leadership. They’ve simply lost two tough games. Kristin DePlatchett and Jenni Branam have been solid in the net and North Carolina can boast one of the top front lines in the country. Senior Meredith Florance has been leading the nation in scoring and has been one of the most consistent performers for the Tarheels. Sophomores Kim Patrick and Susan Bush have added to the scoring power up front. Junior Jena Kluegel has been the anchor in the midfield and will be essential if the Tarheels want to defend their national championship. The one key for Dorrance and his Tarheel squad will be experience. The ten seniors provide a lot of leadership and they will carry the freshman. The strong sophomore class had the experience of winning last year’s national title and strongly contributed to the wins throughout the season last year. North Carolina will first need to get past a tough group of opponents in the ACC tournament including Clemson.

Like the rankings, the national title is up for grabs and the 2000 post-season will be exciting and truly competitve.