Welliver anchors ‘Eaters

All’s well that ends Welliver. Most of the time, at least, that was

the case last season for the UC Irvine women’s soccer team, which

rode the sterling play of freshman goalkeeper Marissa Welliver (eight

shutouts in 19 games) to a 10-5-5 record and the semifinals of the

Big West Conference tournament.

And while Welliver returns to try to better her 0.79 goals-against

average, Coach Marine Cano’s Anteaters are hoping they can generate

more scoring to help avoid the school-record five ties and eight

overtime games. UCI was blanked six times and scored just one goal in

six games.

Among players not back from last year’s squad are those who

produced 63% of UCI’s 27 goals and 58% of their 14 assists.

But Cano welcomes 11 newcomers, as well as another senior who

played for the Anteaters two seasons ago, to help fortify the

offense.

Freshman Kelly Little, a midfielder and defender out of Long Beach

Wilson High who was named California Player of the Year by one

coaches association last season, is among the heralded newcomers.

Also coming in with significant credentials is junior defender and

forward Joy Grey, who was named MVP of the state community college

tournament last year, when she led Long Beach City College to the

state crown.

Back from a team that outshot its opponents, 252-180, are

decorated seniors Alyson Spencer and Tara Weldon.

Spencer, a defender who produced three goals, tied for tops among

returners, and one assist, was first-team All-Big West last season.

Weldon, a senior defender, received honorable mention for

all-conference honors last fall.

Sophomore midfielder Britney Webster scored three goals and four

assists last season, while sophomore forward Lauryn Birkinshaw had

three goals and two assists as a freshman.

Other returners include senior defender Julie Scheppele, senior

midfielder Lachelle Manzano (one assist in 2003) and sophomore

midfielder Dayna Knowles.

Freshmen Brittany Del Soldato, Makenzie Beahm, Lauren Wiley, Kim

Conlon, Frankee Kelly and Christina Gorospe are also expected to help

UCI make a push for the program’s first NCAA tournament appearance.

UCI was ranked fourth in the preseason Big West coaches poll,

behind defending champion Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, UC Santa Barbara

and Cal State Fullerton, respectively.

The Anteaters, whose 0.755 goals-against average last season

ranked 23rd nationally, open the season tonight at 7 against visiting

San Jose State. UCI visits the University of San Diego Sunday at 1

p.m.

Cano, entering his 11th season at UCI, comes in with 227 career

victories in 20 seasons as a college head coach. This ranks 11th on

the NCAA coaching victories list.

This year’s schedule includes 2003 NCAA tournament teams USD,

Texas A&M; (Sept. 17 in College Station), and Cal Poly SLO (the Big

West opener Oct. 1 on the road).

UCI, for the second straight year, will host the Big West

tournament, Nov. 5 and 7.