2003 Women’s Soccer Recap

In its third year of existence, the Clarion University women’s soccer program took another step forward in 2003 winning its first ever PSAC conference game and improving on its win total for the third straight year.

"We are moving in the right direction," third-year head coach Nina Alonzo said. "We took some positive steps this year including getting our first conference victory."

The PSAC win came in the last match of the season for the Golden Eagles in dramatic fashion with Ashlie Regazzi scoring two goals in the final 12 minutes to break Clarion’s 33-game conference losing streak.

"This was one of the most positive things to happen to our program in the last three years," Alonzo said. "This is most definitely something to build upon for next year."

The future looks bright for the Golden Eagles with the top two scorers this season being freshman Ashlie Regazzi (Dayton, OH/Walter E. Stebbins) and a sophomore Ashley Francis (Aliquippa/Hopewell).
Regazzi led Clarion in both goals (5) and points (10).

"Ashlie has been everything we have been looking for in a forward," Alonzo said. "Ashlie will be a player that the other teams will have to be looking out for next season."

Francis finished second on the team in scoring with four goals and eight total points on the year.

"Ashley surprised us this season with her scoring drive, and on how well she was playing," Alonzo said. "Speed is her biggest asset. Ashley was able to beat some girls just because of her speed."

Junior Alisha Turner (Pittsburgh/Baldwin) was third on the team in scoring with seven points (3 G, 1 A). Over her three-year career she has amassed eight career goals and recorded seven assists.

"Alisha had a great season," Alonzo said. "She is a much stronger player than in years past. She can see the field very well and find the open girl."

Alonzo saw excellent play out of Jayme Violi (Fairview/Fairview) and Jenna Elwell (Erie/McDowell) in the defense.

"Jayme came back through the season and was able to step in and help us out on defense," Alonzo said. "Jenna played extremely well back there also for us."

Alonzo had nothing but good things to say about the effort of her junior goalkeeper C.J. Gattens (Pittsburgh/Baldwin).

Gattens was one of the top goalkeepers in saves in the PSAC, and one in the nation with 195 on the year. She now has 705 saves in her career as Clarion’s starting goalie. This year Gattens was 4-14 with a GAA of 3.09.

"C.J. kept the team trying throughout the entire year," Alonzo said. "C.J. did things for us to keep us in games, and I couldn’t ask for anyone better."

Clarion got off to a hot start winning three of its first seven games with wins coming over Geneva 4-1, Davis and Elkins 3-0 and Seton Hill 2-0.

"We started the season on a roll winning our first few games," Alonzo said. "We were really battling out there."

The Golden Eagles hit a wall in October going 0-8 while being outscored 29-0.

"It was frustrating at times," Alonzo said. "A lot of players spirits were down after some losses. We had to change up our practices a little bit to keep everyone positive."

All of the hard work and dedication was rewarded with a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Shippensburg Nov. 1.

"I hope that win allows us to see that we can win and beat anyone if we have the drive and play as a team," Alonzo said.

Alonzo is looking forward tot the chance to continue moving the program in a positive direction next season.

"We have a lot of players coming back for this year’s team," Alonzo said. "The experience is really going to help us succeed in 2004. We are also looking to bring in some players to fill some holes. Hopefully the combination of returning players and newcomers will allow us to continue to move forward."