UC Irvine’s Early Impact Unexpected

It was merely a 1-1 tie, but it is sure to raise a few eyebrows among the Big West women’s soccer coaches.

That Irvine (4-3-2, 1-0-1 in conference) was able to walk away with a point after its conference opener against North Texas Friday may be worrisome to other conference teams. North Texas was one of the conference favorites and the Anteaters were supposed to take their lumps.

Nicole Bucciarelli, the team’s all-time leader in goals, is in Italy playing for a professional team. Other top players graduated, and a couple others, including Bucciarelli understudy Stephanie Rigamat, bolted. Rigamat transferred to UCLA.

With seven freshmen in the starting lineup, no one figured the Anteaters could sustain their recent success--one conference title and two second-place finishes in the last three seasons.

Friday’s tie sent a different message.

Forward Katie Sheppard, one of the few experienced players, looked sharp after off-season knee surgery.

Sweeper Mary Peters, a transfer from Orange Coast College, has played better, but she made several plays that got the Anteaters out of trouble--Irvine Coach Marine Cano, never bashful in his pronouncements, called her the best sweeper he has had in his 16 years.

Much, though, can be credited to Allison Merrick, who has stepped in this season after Kirsten Roy, an all-conference second-team pick, was ruled ineligible.

Merrick gaffed one Friday, as she lurched for a ball and left the net wide open. But she also saved one goal, lunging backward to snag a header.

“We’re right on schedule,” Cano said. “The only question is who is going to step up and score some goals.”

Janelle Doyle is learning that on the job. Friday, she pulled off one that would have even dropped Bucciarelli’s jaw. Doyle feinted left, then went right and chipped in a 20-foot shot on the move.

“Bring them all on now,” Cano said.

The Anteaters are at the Washington State tournament Saturday and Sunday.

EAGLES DIG THIS

Jody Wise, the Concordia women’s volleyball coach, was honored last week for her 600th victory. She picked it up in the Eagles’ win over Holy Names College on Sept. 11.

“I think for the players it’s just a big number and I’m just an old coach,” Wise said.

This is Wise’s 22nd season. She coached 18 seasons at Fort Hays State in Kansas before coming to Concordia in 1996.

Staff writer Lou Eubanks contributed to this story.