Tuesday, November 20, 2001
Sheehan guides NKU to Final 4
Norse women's 3rd straight appearance
By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Four years ago, the eight seniors on the Northern Kentuckywomen's soccer team were still high schoolers. They knew nothing about the program except Bob Sheehan's enthusiasm.
“We were finishing the program's first year (a 7-11 season); there was nothing to measure us by,” the NKU coach said. “They took a chance on me, on our coaching staff, on NKU, that we would be able to put a quality team on the field.”
Their faith was rewarded. That recruiting class, the first scholarship players in the program's history, has reached its third consecutive Division II Final Four.
NKU (22-1), ranked fifth in the final DII poll, will play No.4 University of California San Diego at 10:30 p.m. EDST Nov. 30 in San Diego. The winner will meet either No.1 Franklin Pierce or No.2 Christian Brothers in the NCAA finals at 4 p.m. Dec. 2, in San Diego.
NKU lost to UCSD 2-1 last year in the title game, surrendering the game-winning goal in the final 15 seconds.
“It was awful,” said senior midfielder Tricia Ruark, a Seton grad. “I think that's what's going to stick in our head when we play them, to play 90 minutes and not give up. Our goal this year was to get back to the Final Four, and then to win it, and we're almost there.”
Sheehan built the program on local talent; 19 of his 20 players are from the area. “There are excellent players in this area that may not be recruited by the top teams in the country, but that doesn't mean they can't play,” he said.
The unquestioned leader is senior striker Betsy Moore (McAuley), who likely will be named a first team All-American for the third time. Owens has 18 goals and 17 assists this fall. Ruark, a fellow returning All-American, has 15 goals and 21 assists. Jeanna Martin (Seton) has 12 goals and 20 assists; Bessie Black (Scott) has 20 goals and 15 assists.
The defense, anchored by All-America candidate Amanda Trout (Northwest) at stopper, has allowed just nine goals all season.
Sports Stories
Bengals go from stellar to slumping
Bengal notebook
Moss breaks loose in Vikings' 28-16 win
Vikings retire Stringer's No. 77 jersey
NFL notebook
Free-agent Shaw interested in Reds
Hartong was a kicking pioneer
NFL could be next for Ruffin
Hoping to get right vs. Wright
Xavier women clobber Akron
CovCath, NewCath ready for state semi games
Sheehan guides NKU to Final 4