Blue Knights beat Iowa Central 2–1 in semis, but lose 0–4 to Iowa Western in finals
DCTC Blue Knights Women's Soccer Team 2010-2011
The DCTC Blue Knights women’ soccer team made it to the championship game of the 2010 NJCAA Region XI Women’s Soccer Tournament only to lose 0–4 to Iowa Western Community College Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010, at the Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines, Iowa. The Knights, who were seeded third in the tourney, were shutout by a first-seed Reivers team that went 10–0 in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference this year with a 14–3–2 record overall. DCTC finished the season 14–7–1 overall with a 7–3–1 record in the conference.
DCTC trampled the Iowa Lakes Community College Lakers 4–1 Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010, in the tournament’s first round at home at the Ames Soccer Complex in Rosemount, Minn. “We entered the regional quarterfinal in the most horrendous soccer weather conditions playable,” said Head Coach Cam Stoltz. “But high winds, freezing conditions and deep puddles couldn’t stop us from getting a critical win over sixth-seed Iowa Lakes.” See “DCTC Women’s Soccer Upends ILCC” for details.
The Knights went on to upset second-seed Iowa Central Community College 2–1 in the semifinals Oct. 30, also at Cownie, with one goal each from Freshman Midfielder Katia Galvan and Sophomore Midfielder Ana Brewster. Galvan and Sophomore Forward Amanda Olsen each had an assist. DCTC Freshman Goalkeeper Sandy Dyer from High Wycombe, Australia, had six saves in the game. The Tritons ended the year 7–2–1 in ICCAC play and 9–6–3 overall.
“We had near perfect conditions on excellent fields for the semifinal game,” Stoltz said. “We overcame a strong Iowa Central squad that had beaten us 2–1 and tied us 0–0 when we met earlier in the season, edging us out of second place in the ICCAC. We were behind at the half 0–1, but we took off in the second half with a fantastic goal from Ana Brewster, who slammed home a one-touch shot from 12 yards out thanks to a long free kick from Katia Galvan that floated in over the ICCC back line.”
Katia Galvan (13) | ICCAC ranking: third in goals with 19; second in assists with 16; third in points with 54
Stoltz reported that Galvan would stay hungry. With 14 minutes remaining in the match, she broke the 1–1 deadlock with what has been described as the most spectacular goal in Blue Knights history.
“Galvan was 40 yards from goal when she flicked a ball over a leaning defender, looked up while the ball was bouncing and then volley kicked the ball over a retreating keeper and right under the cross bar,” Stoltz said. “Players and fans were stunned. We were able to secure our own end for the balance of the game, winning 2–1 to advance to our second straight regional championship.”
The championship game would be a rematch against an Iowa Western team that had defeated DCTC 3–1 in the final game of last year’s tournament. DCTC had already lost to the Reivers twice during the current season, 1–7 and 0–6.
“Western was able to crack our defense with a first-half goal after 25 minutes of shutout soccer,” Stoltz said. “We countered a number of times, producing shots from Amanda Olsen, two free kicks and a number of breakouts, but the Reivers scored three second-half goals in route to their fifth straight Region XI championship and sixth in seven seasons.”
“This group has been one of the most dedicated teams I have ever coached,” said Stoltz. “They played with heart, passion and dedication. We were hampered by injuries and circumstances all season. Only thirteen of our players played in the final twelve games while our injured players stuck in and supported the group. Our second-year players were part of the most successful run we have had in two seasons, winning thirty games, losing only thirteen and tying one. While it hurt to lose the final, we deserved to be there.”
DCTC Stat Leaders
Amanda Olsen (12)
- Amanda Olsen led DCTC and the ICCAC in goals scored and assists with 28 and 17 respectively; she also led the conference in points with 73; Olsen is ranked sixth in scoring nationally in NJCAA Division I women’s soccer
Katia Galvan (13)
- Katia Galvan was third in goals in the ICCAC with 19; she finished second in assists with 16 and third in points with 54; Galvan is ranked 22nd in scoring nationally in NJCAA DI women’s soccer
Sandy Dyer (16)
- Sandy Dyer finished fourth in the ICCAC with 74 saves
Ana Brewster (7)
- Ana Brewster had six goals with nine assists and was 10th in the ICCAC in points with 21
Kate Fox (14)
- Kate Fox had four goals with eight assists and was 12th in the ICCAC in points with 16
Kaci Baird-Schienbein (10)
- Kaci Baird-Schienbein had five goals with one assist and was tied for 14th in the ICCAC in points with 11
Cassie Cournoyer (6)
- Cassie Cournoyer had four goals with two assists and was tied for 18th in the ICCAC in points with 10
Laura Breckon (5)
- Laura Breckon had five goals and was tied for 18th in the ICCAC in points with 10
For all stats, check out ICCAC Individual Leader Quick Summary DakStats.
Amanda Olsen (12) | ICCAC ranking: first in goals with 28; first in assists with 17; first in points with 73
For more information about DCTC soccer and other sports, including men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, baseball and fastpitch softball, visit GoBlueKnights.com.
