Soccer
A new field of dreams
In November under the lights of their newly renovated field, the WSU women’s soccer team competed in their fourth straight NCAA tournament, a first for the Cougars. They played tough against Seattle University in the polar chill, losing by one goal in double overtime.
The debuts of both the rebuilt Lower Soccer Field and head coach Steve Nugent came back in August with a 3-0 win versus Texas Christian University. Nugent and the team went 10–4–4 for the season, led by a group of seniors that boasts 48 victories, the most in school history during a four-year span.
Among them was goalkeeper Gurveen Clair, who … » More …
Composing Cougar soccer
A music business graduate from Birmingham-Southern College, Keidane (Kih-Dawn-EE) McAlpine had designs on moving to Atlanta to work in the music industry.
He soon realized his disposition and the music business were discordant. “I’m not mean enough for that,” he says with a laugh.
Fortunately, McAlpine’s time at college had created other, more harmonious, opportunities.
“The doors that kept opening were the soccer doors,” says McAlpine, who is now the Washington State women’s soccer coach.
After his college playing days, BSC women’s coach, Lorrin Etka-Shepherd, offered him a position.
“She said I got a parttime job if I want it,” he remembers. “Next thing … » More …
Stronger may not be better
A pack of seventh grade soccer players huddles around a makeshift batting cage inside WSU’s Sports Science Laboratory one Friday last March. One by one, they step inside the black netting to stand under bright lights and high-speed cameras.
“3 … 2 … 1,” a voice calls out.
An air-pressurized cannon shoots a soccer ball 30 feet across the cage and the 13-year-old tries to head the ball back in the direction from which it came.
The purpose of such madness? Kasee Hildenbrand, associate professor in the College of Education, is exploring the roll the neck plays in the incidence of concussions.
Her … » More …
Matt Potter puts positive spin on Cougar soccer
Matt Potter is a disciple of the school of positive thinking. His life’s philosophy and his approach to coaching are interwoven. Teaching and soccer are his passion. “In combining the two, we can learn a lot about life,” says the Mere, England, native. “Really, it’s about becoming the best we can be individually and as a team.”
That is what he seeks for himself and for the women who comprise the Washington State University soccer team. He was promoted from assistant to head coach in June, succeeding Dan Tobias, who moved on to the University of Arizona. Two days before WSU was to make its … » More …