Women’s Soccer Set Sights on Title

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 28, 2008) – After advancing to the championship game of the 2007 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament for the first time in school history, the Tigers return to the field eager to win it all. A heartbreaking penalty-kick loss left Occidental with an 11-5-1 overall record and 9-3 mark in the SCIAC, for a second place finish and their best finish in over a decade.

Oxy looks to be tough competition again in 2008 with a solid core of returning players led by SCIAC Player of the Year Jesi Sasaki(seven goals, four assists). Joining the sophomore forward will be Corinne Winkler, who earned First Team All-SCIAC and All-West Region with her seven goal performance in ’07, is prepared for her second season leading the Tigers from midfield.

Junior Marci Kang, who also received All-SCIAC and West Region honors, will anchor the defense and will play along side junior Nicole Findlay, who has been the essence of consistency for her two seasons as a starter. Another Tiger junior who will factor in the success of Oxy this season is a two-time All-SCIAC midfielder Elise Devereux who is known for penalty-area to penalty-area performances and outstanding consistency.  

Everyone is excited to see the lone senior, Starlie Chinen, take the field again after fighting back from two surgeries. The 18 returning players are battle-hardened, have gained experience and are highly motivated to establish themselves consistently as championship contenders.

With seven freshman joining the squad, the competition for positions has become tougher and there are high hopes that some of these talented newcomers will force their way into the starting eleven.

The women’s soccer team opens play on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Vanguard University with kick-off slated for 5:00 p.m. The Tigers will return to the Lower Soccer Field for their first home and SCIAC contest on Wednesday, Sept. 17 against Whittier College at 4:00 p.m.