PACWEST WOMEN’S SOCCER NOTEBOOK
IRVINE, Calif. -- After the first weekend of the 2018 season, Chaminade and Holy Names are both undefeated following season-opening wins in non-conference matches.
Holy Names earned its first victory in nearly two seasons when
Gabriella Felix scored a golden goal in the 109th minute of her collegiate debut for a 3-2 victory over UC Merced. Chaminade posted a shutout of Antelope Valley with a 2-0 victory as
Brandee Lane recorded her fifth career shutout, tying the program record.
Sharon Cain scored the first goal of the game in the 46th minute, which stood as the game-winner for the Silverswords.
Five matches next week will feature PacWest teams taking on squads that advanced to the 2017 NCAA West Regional. Starting on Tuesday, Notre Dame de Namur will host Concordia (Ore.), while Hawai`i Pacific gets to host defending regional champion UC San Diego.
On Thursday, Holy Names will test its undefeated record against 2016 National Champion Western Washington. Point Loma took Western Washington to double overtime last week before the Vikings eventually sealed the season-opening win.
Sonoma State will be traveling through southern California to face Azusa Pacific on Thursday and Concordia on Saturday. Concordia already has one win over a CCAA team, beating CSU San Bernardino.
Weekly awards for the week of Aug. 27-Sept. 2
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Annmarie Alvarez, Biola
F, Jr., 5-8 -- Los Alamitos, Calif.
Alvarez found the back of the net on both of her shots on goal in the Eagles’ season-opening win against Cal State Dominguez Hills. Her two goals currently lead the PacWest. The junior opened the scoring in the 3-2 victory with a goal in the eighth minute by chasing down a long pass for a breakaway goal. Alvarez also scored the final goal of the game, clinching the victory in the 97th minute with her second goal. She was in the right place to knock in a cross to give Biola its first win of the season. Alvarez now has 10 career goals.
DEFENDER OF THE WEEK
Brandee Lane, Chaminade
GK, Sr., 5-6 -- Kaneohe, Hawai`i
Lane helped Chaminade start the year with a win, recording her fifth career shutout in a 2-0 victory over Antelope Valley. Lane recorded three saves as she tied the program record for career shutouts. Lane also has eight career victories, which is a program record. The Silverswords’ defense limited Antelope Valley to seven shots with Lane saving the three that were on frame.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Gabriella Felix, Holy Names
F, Fr., 5-6 -- Watsonville, Calif.
In her first match in a Hawks uniform, Felix led Holy Names to its first victory since October 3, 2016 with a 3-2 overtime triumph against UC Merced. In the 109th minute, Felix scored an unassisted goal to secure the victory. Her first career goal helped Holy Names to a 1-0 start on the season. In the match, Felix took two shots and played 28 minutes.