Posted: Nov 17, 2009
TJC Women's Soccer Enjoys Quick Rise
When Corey Rose was hired five months before the inaugural season of Tyler Junior College women's soccer, he believed the team could win immediately.
The Apache Ladies did just that, posting a 12-3-1 record in 2008 and nearly upsetting Navarro in the Region XIV final.
By JOE BUIE
Staff Writer
Tyler Morning Telegraph
Staff Writer
Tyler Morning Telegraph
However, less than half of the initial freshman signing class returned for the 2009 season. Several players became homesick, including three internationals that went home.
Cara Newton, a standout forward from England, considered leaving after her freshman year.
"We had to convince her to come back for her second year," said Rose, the TJC head coach. "She is big into her family back home. We had four come in with her and she was the only one that stayed for the full year."
The decision turned out great for all parties as the seventh-ranked Apache Ladies (16-0-1) qualified for Thursday's national tournament with wins over Navarro and Meridian (Miss.).
"We had to convince her to come back for her second year," said Rose, the TJC head coach. "She is big into her family back home. We had four come in with her and she was the only one that stayed for the full year."
The decision turned out great for all parties as the seventh-ranked Apache Ladies (16-0-1) qualified for Thursday's national tournament with wins over Navarro and Meridian (Miss.).
Rose said Newton has been as good as advertised from when she played international competitions with England's Under 15 and Under 17 teams. Newton leads TJC with 16 assists this season, and her 14 goals are tied with Claudia Saucedo for tops on the team.
Newton, whose only previous trip to the U.S. had been a family vacation in Florida, said she took a gamble the day she decided to fly to Texas and play at TJC.
Obviously, the gamble paid off.
Newton and the Apache Ladies have won 28 of 33 matches all-time and have a chance to win a national championship.
"The excitement started a few weeks ago (with) the buildup to the national tournament," she said. "And now we've made it. People were walking around the dorms (Sunday) night, they couldn't sleep. We're just ready to give it our best shot."
While Newton is one of the offensive stars, sophomore Christine Ragona is a standout on defense.
"She is a great communicator and we needed communication in the back," Rose said. "She is a strong ball-winner. We moved her to a central back position, and she wasn't really familiar with it. It took a while but she has flourished in that position."
Ragona, from Lake Dallas, said this year's team had time to bond before the season began. The 2008 group wasn't afforded the same luxury.
"This year our chemistry with the girls is so much better," Ragona said. "We are a family and we had to remember that.
Seeded fourth in the eight-team national tournament, the Apache Ladies will open against fifth-seeded Schoolcraft College (Mich.) at 6 p.m. Thursday at Pat Hartley Field on the TJC campus.
The other Thursday games will be second-seeded Polk State College (Fla.) vs. seventh-seeded Johnson County Community College (Kan.) at noon; third-seeded CC of Rhode Island vs. sixth-seeded Paradise Valley CC (Ariz.) at 2 p.m.; and No. 1 seed Lewis & Clark CC (Ill.) vs. eighth-seeded Harford CC (Md.) at 4 p.m.
Newton, whose only previous trip to the U.S. had been a family vacation in Florida, said she took a gamble the day she decided to fly to Texas and play at TJC.
Obviously, the gamble paid off.
Newton and the Apache Ladies have won 28 of 33 matches all-time and have a chance to win a national championship.
"The excitement started a few weeks ago (with) the buildup to the national tournament," she said. "And now we've made it. People were walking around the dorms (Sunday) night, they couldn't sleep. We're just ready to give it our best shot."
While Newton is one of the offensive stars, sophomore Christine Ragona is a standout on defense.
"She is a great communicator and we needed communication in the back," Rose said. "She is a strong ball-winner. We moved her to a central back position, and she wasn't really familiar with it. It took a while but she has flourished in that position."
Ragona, from Lake Dallas, said this year's team had time to bond before the season began. The 2008 group wasn't afforded the same luxury.
"This year our chemistry with the girls is so much better," Ragona said. "We are a family and we had to remember that.
Seeded fourth in the eight-team national tournament, the Apache Ladies will open against fifth-seeded Schoolcraft College (Mich.) at 6 p.m. Thursday at Pat Hartley Field on the TJC campus.
The other Thursday games will be second-seeded Polk State College (Fla.) vs. seventh-seeded Johnson County Community College (Kan.) at noon; third-seeded CC of Rhode Island vs. sixth-seeded Paradise Valley CC (Ariz.) at 2 p.m.; and No. 1 seed Lewis & Clark CC (Ill.) vs. eighth-seeded Harford CC (Md.) at 4 p.m.
Get Your Tickets
Tournament passes may be purchased before the start of the tournament in the Intercollegiate Athletics Office, located inside Wagstaff Gymnasium. Day passes will be sold on the day of the game only.
Tournament passes are $10 each. Day passes are $5 per day for adults, and $3 per day for students with ID. Children under 14 will be admitted free along with any youth soccer player in their jersey.
"We're pleased to be hosting this tournament for the first time," said TJC athletic director Dr. Tim Drain. "Once again we owe thanks to SPORTyler, Tyler Convention and Visitors Bureau and others who assist us with making it possible. We encourage fans to not miss this great event."
Smoke Signals: Dr. Howard Patterson, chairman of SPORTyler and the UT Tyler vice president of student affairs, attended Monday's national tournament media event along with SPORTyler vice president Cindy Smoak. "We are proud to partner with (TJC) this year on this prestigious event," Smoak said. "More than 350 people are coming to Tyler to stay for five days, which brings an investment to the Tyler community."
Tournament passes are $10 each. Day passes are $5 per day for adults, and $3 per day for students with ID. Children under 14 will be admitted free along with any youth soccer player in their jersey.
"We're pleased to be hosting this tournament for the first time," said TJC athletic director Dr. Tim Drain. "Once again we owe thanks to SPORTyler, Tyler Convention and Visitors Bureau and others who assist us with making it possible. We encourage fans to not miss this great event."
Smoke Signals: Dr. Howard Patterson, chairman of SPORTyler and the UT Tyler vice president of student affairs, attended Monday's national tournament media event along with SPORTyler vice president Cindy Smoak. "We are proud to partner with (TJC) this year on this prestigious event," Smoak said. "More than 350 people are coming to Tyler to stay for five days, which brings an investment to the Tyler community."
Link to Original Article: http://www.tylerpaper.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091117/SPORTS/911170326