Women's soccer has roller coaster season
By Jonna Fernandez, Manager of Public Information

The 2005 CVC women's soccer season had more twists, turns and upward battles than the Texas Giant roller coaster at Six Flags. From starting out on top of their region, to barely qualifying for the regional tournament and then ending as national runners-up, the story of the Lady Suns is almost too good to be true.

"In September, we were 5-0 in the Region V Metro Athletic Conference (MAC) and ranked number one," says Sal Galvano, head women's soccer coach. "But in October we found out that one of our players fell below academic eligibility and that we had to self-report the violation to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)."

That violation forced the team to forfeit all of its wins and resulted in a ranking of fourth in the Region V MAC. Facing the possibility of not qualifying for the regional tournament, the Lady Suns had to add four games to its schedule, and win nine straight games in order to qualify. Not only did the team accomplish this weighty task, but they also defeated defending Region V MAC champion Richland College three times in order to get to the tournament.

During the conference tournament, the Suns took on Richland College in the first round and Eastfield College in the finals, winning against both teams in penalty kick shootouts. With the 2005 Region V MAC Championship under their belt, it was then time for the team to set their focus on winning the District D Tournament in Chicago.

"As with the conference tournament, it again came down to the wire for us. We played the College of DuPage in the first round, and again tied in regulation and won in penalty kicks. We moved on to compete against Rochester Community and Technical College in the finals and won in regulation," explains Galvano. "With that win, we not only became 2005 District D Champions, but we were also in the final four headed to nationals."

At the NJCAA Division III Championship in Herkimer, N.Y., the team breezed through the preliminary round and onto the final face-off with Springfield Technical Community College. Again, as with past tournaments, the teams tied in regulation and had to move onto penalty kicks. Unfortunately, CVC lost and was thus named national runners-up.

"Regardless of winning or losing, our team overcame some major obstacles to make it to the national tournament. I am proud of everything we accomplished this season," acknowledges Galvano.

Below is a list of accomplishments regarding the Suns' 2005 season:

2005 Team Accomplishments

• Defeated the defending Region V MAC champions three times
• As the visiting team, the Suns defeated all home teams
• Played four games in three days, winning all four. Two of the games were played on the same day.
• 2005 Region V MAC Champions
• 2005 District D Champions
• 2005 NJCAA Division III National Runners-up

2005 Lady Suns Individual Accomplishments

• Five players were named to the Region V All Conference Team.
• Three players were named to the All South Central Regional Team.
• One player was named to the First NJCAA All-America Team and another player was named to the Second NJCAA All-America Team.
• Three players were named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America First All-America Team.
• One player was nominated for Player of the Year.
• Several players are being scouted by large universities including Southern Methodist University and Clemson University.