Assistant Coach Tony Anglin was promoted to head coach of the Colorado Force. (Photo Courtesy Colorado Force)

Tony Anglin didn’t stay an assistant coach for long.

On Wednesday, the Colorado Force announced that Anglin would take over as head coach, replacing Craig Deacon.

“I am absolutely honored and delighted to be asked to head up the coaching staff and to succeed Craig Deacon as head coach of the Colorado Force,” Anglin said. “Having worked with the organization and especially (Force owner) Amy Snider over last three months, I have grown to be very passionate about where we can take the organization both on and off the field in the near future and in the long term.”

Anglin’s Credentials: A native of England, Anglin was the W-League Coach of the Year in 2008 when he led the Atlanta Silverbacks to the Eastern Conference Finals. He was also head coach for the Chicago Red Eleven in 2009, taking that side to the playoffs.

Anglin’s coaching background dates to 1991, when he served as coach and youth development officer for Burnham FC in England. He played for 19 years at the professional and semi-professional levels in England before entering the coaching ranks. Anglin recently coached at the W-League Scouting Combine, where W-League players were evaluated by the Women’s Professional Soccer league. That’s where Anglin met Deacon, leading to Deacon’s decision to recruit Anglin to the Force coaching staff.

“He is a tremendous coach,” said Deacon, who stepped down after six seasons. “He has a wealth of experience and history within the women’s game and the Force is very lucky to obtain his services.” 

Departure Prompt: Deacon said he opted to turn over the Force reins to Anglin so he could focus on his multiple other soccer-related roles, including technical director for the new Colorado Storm Academy FC division, coaching for the Colorado Rapids Academy, and ownership of the Fort Collins-based Core Soccer Academy.

 ”I want to be able to focus more on some of my businesses and programs, which was part of why I recruited Tony,” Deacon said. “That was the vision of bringing Tony here. I will continue to be around, but I need to pass it on to someone who will be able to give it the necessary time it needs.”

Deacon’s six seasons with the Force included a playoff appearance in 2009. Three of Deacon’s Force players from the 2009 squad were also drafted into the WPS before this season.

 ”We have been very fortunate to have excellent coaching for the Force over the past six years with Craig; his influence on the program has resulted in a playoff-level team,” said Force owner Snider. “He (Anglin) brings this experience to our organization and will take the team to a new level of competition and professionalism.  We are very fortunate to have him.  He has a long-term vision for the women’s game, he’s a great collaborator, and we’re very excited for the opportunities he will create for our players.”

Between 7 p.m. Friday and about 9 p.m. Sunday, a soccer fan can catch two Colorado Force W-League matches, a Colorado Rapids home game and the inaugural match of the Colorado Rush W-League team.

And if four games in a little more than two days isn’t enough, the Rush plays again on Tuesday night. As a fan, a weekend of top-flight play in two different leagues with no more than some time in the car going from field to field is a treat of the first order.

First: The Fort Collins-based Force kicks off the action at 7 p.m. Friday in the Loveland Sports Park against Seattle Sounders. The two teams tied in Washington this past Friday. It was the first game of the season for the Force, and the return will mark the team’s first home game.

Following: Next, the Rapids take on the Eastern Conference-leading Columbus Crew at 7 p.m. Saturday at Dick’s Sporting

Rapids Conor Casey (left) and Sounders Jeff Parks (right) and Steve Zakuani threaten to take control of the ball during the game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park May 29, 2010. Conor scores the only goal and the Rapids come out on top 1-0. (Photograph by Jessica Taves/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Goods Park. The Crew is 6-1-2 after suffering its first loss of the season to Los Angeles. The Rapids are coming off a 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC, which could be a good omen against Columbus.

The Rapids last defeated Columbus on April 8, 2006, a 3-1 win at Invesco Field at Mile High. The Crew have won four of the seven meetings since – including the last two at DSG Park – with three draws.

Doubleheader: On Sunday, the scheduling gets a little more interesting. The Rush kick off against Seattle at 2 p.m. at Englewood High School Stadium. This will be a game of firsts, as it will be the first game and the first home game of the team’s inaugural season.

Then, the Force tangles with the Vancouver Whitecaps at 7 p.m. in Loveland. The Whitecaps got an 89th minute goal this past Sunday to beat Colorado 2-1. The Force starts its first home stand 0-1-1, which, as we know from Tom “Gunny” Highway in “Heartbreak Ridge,” is a record that can easily look better after a win. Too bad Grenada isn’t on this schedule.

Four-Course Meal: I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for months. It’s an embarrassment of riches to have this many games in such a short span of time. It’s like the perfect appetizer to the June 11 start of the World Cup. With those games, I can sit in my living room and yell at the TV all I want.

With this coming weekend of games, I get to go outside, sit in the stands, and yell. I can’t wait.

Coda: Then, just to keep the spirit of this weekend going, Rush plays the Whitecaps at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Englewood high. Is too much of a good thing possible?

All of Sunday’s scoring occurred in the final 20 minutes. After a scoreless first half, Vancouver tallied the game’s first goal in the 70^th minute off of a free kick. The ball was played into the box where  defender Martina Franko, a veteran who played for the WPS Los Angeles Sol last season, headed the ball into the top right corner of the goal past Force keeper Maria Del Guercio. 

The Force rallied to tie the match in the 86^th minute. Force defender Yolanda Hamilton, one of two Jamaicans on the team, broke free down the left side of the field before sending a crossing ball low into the box. The ball was collected by forward Ali Andrzejeski, who struck a shot that went under the keeper’s arms.

But Vancouver netted the game winner three minutes later, also off a set play. The ball was lofted to the  back post, where Vancouver forward Melissa Tancredi redirected it with her head into the goal. Tancredi, like Franko, is a former WPS player. Tancredi played last season for the St. Louis Athletica.

The setback left the Force with a record of 0-1-1 in the W-League after its annual Pacific Northwest road trip.

Seattle Start: On Friday night, Force opened its 2010 season with a valuable road draw, capturing a 1-1 result against the Seattle Sounders on a wet pitch Friday night.

Stocked with new faces to start the 2010 season, it was fitting that the first goal of the season for the Colorado Force came from a newcomer. Midfielder Christie Ehrhardt knocked in the Force’s only goal in the first half, scoring on a header in the 21st minute.

Ehrhardt’s goal occurred after the Force executed a quick throw-in into the right corner. Force forward Andrzejeski, another newcomer, struck a crossing ball that found Ehrhardt in front of the goal. She headed the ball unto the upper left corner of the goal.

Seattle bounced back five minutes later, scoring off a set piece. A corner kick from Justi Baumgardt-Yamada, a former University of Portland player, reached the front of the net where Seattle’s Erin Redwine outjumped a group of players to head the ball past Force keeper Elizabeth Ruiz.

Force Coach Craig Deacon said it rained throughout the match, and the pitch was “very spongy and wet, which made it very difficult. We haven’t practiced in anything like that.”

Deacon credited Ruiz for “coming up big in the last five minutes” to preserve the tie. Ruiz was credited for 10 saves in the match. Officially, Seattle placed 12 shots on goal to just two for the Force.

Next: Seattle and Vancouver come to Colorado next weekend to help the Force open the home season. Seattle visits Loveland Sports Park at 7 p.m. Friday. The Force then get a return match with Vancouver at 7 p.m. Sunday.

When did Colorado Rush decide to field a W-League team?

We confirmed our intentions to the league in November 2009.

Why?

It is important to us that we have a full-range club and complete pyramid. Our W-League team currently represents the top of the pyramid for all of Rush Soccer (representing almost 40,000 players worldwide). We also believe on a local level that this is an excellent move for our youngest youth players to encourage them to emulate great players and for our elite senior youth athletes that this, playing for our W-League team, is a goal for them to aspire to achieve as well as being a wonderful outlet for them to utilize their talents potentially. We also have numerous elite players at college programs throughout the country as well as college graduates who are continuing to strive toward playing the game at the highest level.

Who is the chief talent scout?

This is a collective effort between our directors of coaching.

What were/are you looking for in players?

Character and talent.

OK, so you have an idea of the profile of a player for the Colorado Rush W-League team. How do you find that player?

We have helped develop many such players. Therefore we look in house first. We look at Rush players. We then utilize the many player and coaching connections that we have been fortunate enough to develop over the years.

How do you approach these players? What’s the benefit for them?

The initial core of the team is made up of the ‘89-90 group that was two-time national champions. Beyond that we are contacting players and college coaches from around the country. The benefits? Quality training in a competitive, driven and educational environment. We want to provide an opportunity for players to win at a very meaningful level while at the same time helping them to develop into the very best players they can become.

Do you have a roster yet?

Not a complete roster, no. We are building as we speak.

Where will your games be?

We are close to confirming this, but for now I must say TBD.

What goes into choosing a home site?

Much is going into this … location for our membership, quality pitch to encourage quality soccer and the ability to put on a good show, to provide quality entertainment.

Are you reaching out to players who were with Real Colorado last season?

Yes.

Women’s Professional Soccer held a dispersal draft of the Los Angeles players, and Johnson, a Fort Collins product, was taken by Philly in the second round, 15th overall.

Saint Louis Athletica traded several players to the Atlanta Beat to get the first pick in the dispersal draft. The Athletica chose WPS All-Star Shannon Boxx, the Sol’s captain. Philadelphia had the second selection and selected goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc. FC Gold Pride, the San Francisco-area team, selected 2009 player of the year Marta with the third pick.

WPS Dispersal Draft
Round 1
1. Shannon Boxx, M – Saint Louis Athletica
2. Karina LeBlanc, GK – Philadelphia Independence
3. Marta, F – FC Gold Pride (Bay Area)
4. Casey Nogueira, F – Chicago Red Stars
5. Stephanie Cox, D – Boston Breakers
6. Nikki Washington, M – Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
7. Brittany Bock, D – Washington Freedom
8. Aya Miyama, M – Saint Louis Athletica

Round 2
9. Manya Makoski, M – Atlanta Beat
10. Faith Ikidi, D/F – Washington Freedom
11. Kiersten Dallstream, F – Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
12. Michelle Enyeart, F – Boston Breakers
13. Kiki Bosio, F – FC Gold Pride (Bay Area)
14. Tina DiMartino, M – Saint Louis Athletica
15. Estelle Johnson, D – Philadelphia Independence
16. Pavlina Scasna, F – Atlanta Beat

Round 3
17. Pass – Atlanta Beat
18. Pass – Philadelphia Independence
19. Lindsay Browne, F – FC Gold Pride (Bay Area)
20. Pass – Chicago Red Stars
21. Pass – Boston Breakers
22. Pass – Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
23. Pass – Washington Freedom
24. Catherine Sorenson, M – Saint Louis Athletica

ColoradoSoccerNow.com caught up with Peetz after she had some time to celebrate being picked.

Did you have indications that you would be drafted? Did any specific teams express interest?

I did have some indication about getting drafted, but I knew I was not an obvious pick so I didn’t want to get my hopes up.

What hoops did you have to go through?
I did attend two tryouts to try and get my name out there. I received some feedback but most teams did not give me too much information. As soon as our college season ended, I jumped right into training because this is always something I have wanted to work for. It has been nerve-racking already with the draft, and I know I have a lot more work to put in from here on but I am really excited about it and ready to begin.

What does this mean for you? Has playing professionally been a goal for you?

I am so happy for Estelle and Nikki because I know how hard they have worked for this opportunity and they surely deserve it. Right now, I am just focusing on my training so that I can work to earn a spot in the Boston Breaker’s preseason which starts March 1. Playing professionally has always been a dream of mine, and I am now doing everything I can to make it happen.

Finally, what is your ultimate goal in soccer?

My ultimate goal is to first make the team and second bring the team to a championship. Also, I have aspirations to be a part of the national team one day but I am focusing on the Breakers right now!

REAL COLORADO COUGARS’ HEMMINGS TALKS: Reporter Sam Mustari of the Greeley Tribune has written a fine story about Greeley’s Taryn Hemmings being drafted. Hemmings was a star with Greeley West High School, the University of Denver and the Real Colorado Cougars. Here’s Sam’s story.

AUDLEY INTERVIEWED: DU’S captain Collin Audley recently sat down and spoke to Sean Grybos of the Web site Soccer City FC. The site asked l’il ole me for my scouting report on Audley, based on seeing him play a half a dozen times in 2009 (but don’t be put off by that; it’s a good long interview).

FOX HAS NEW SOCCER CHANNEL: Fox Soccer Plus, a new network intended to complement Fox Soccer Channel, is scheduled to launch March 1. The channel will draw its exclusive match content from top-flight leagues and competitions such as England’s Premier League, Champions League, England’s FA Cup and Italy’s Serie A. Fox Soccer Plus will be offered as a premium service. I’m trying to reach someone at my cable provider (Comcast) to find out what that means.

NEW MLS BALL: Adidas and Major League Soccer have unveiled the new MLS official match ball, which features the same technology as the adidas Jabulani, the official ball of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Adidas has been the provider of MLS match balls since 2006 and has maintained the blue, green and silver color scheme in the MLS logo. The ball is made up of only eight panels, which are thermally bonded and spherically molded, whatever that means. The company has attempted to make the ball perfectly round and accurate.

NEW WPS BALL: Not to be outdone, Women’s Professional Soccer showed off its new official match ball at its draft. The PWR-C 1.10 features a 20-panel construction developed with the aim of improving both shooting speed and flight distance. The ball is abrasion-resistant and water-repellent and, for the first time in Puma’s history, high-frequency-molded, instead of hand-stitched. The ball comes with a two-year shape guarantee and features a new take on the jasmine green color scheme from the league’s inaugural year. It will be used for the first time in a regular-season game when the Washington Freedom face Peetz’s Boston Breakers on April 10.

PAVING THE WAY FOR SPENCER? As expected, Portland Timbers coach Gavin Wilkinson is being kicked upstairs. Geoffrey C. Arnold of The Oregonian reported today that Wilkinson has been named the 2011 Major League Soccer team’s technical director. There has been speculation that the club is interested in former Rapids striker John Spencer as its first MLS head coach.

The Force also had two central defenders drafted. The University of Kansas’ Estelle Johnson went to Los Angeles in the third round, and Nebraska standout Carly Peetz was taken in the sixth round by Boston.

Taryn Hemmings, a standout forward-midfielder from the University of Denver, the Real Colorado Cougars and Greeley West High School, was selected by Boston in the seventh round (a real steal that late in the draft, I might add).

Marshall’s selection marks the first time a CU player has been a first-round draft pick. She was one of seven players invited to attend the draft in person (Click here to see a photo of all the invitees; Marshall is second from right, wearing a red Washington Freedom scarf).

Washington Freedom coach Jim Gabarra said it was Marshall’s personality that was the deciding factor in drafting the Buffaloes’ leader.

“We were looking for someone that will help us defensively but also a versatile player,” Gabarra said. “We were prepared to pick between her and one other player, both of (whom) we knew would be available. But she was the one we have had targeted for the past four to six weeks.”

“She deserves it,” CU coach Bill Hempen said. “Somebody did their homework and found out the package she brings to a program. She’s one of the best.”

The Freedom went 8-7-5 in 2009. Washington is one of the WPS teams held over from the previous top-flight women’s pro league, the WUSA.

“I want to make an impact on this league and on this team,” Marshall said in a press release. “I cannot be more elated to play with Cat Whitehill and Abby Wambach.”

Marshall, from Mead, is the most decorated women’s soccer player in CU history. For three consecutive years she was named first-team NSCAA All-Central Region, while earning second-team All-Central Region honors during her freshman year at CU. Marshall owns four first-team All-Big 12 honors and was named CU athlete of the week six times and Big 12 player of the week on three occasions. She is CU’s all-time leader in scoring, with 93 points and 42 goals.

Marshall has spent considerable time playing internationally as a member of the U.S. national team’s U-20 and U-23 programs. She last played for the U.S. in February on the U-23 side, when the Americans won three straight matches and the championship of the Four Nations Tournament in La Serena, Chile, with victories over England, Norway and Chile. In December 2009 she helped the U.S. win a U-20 World Cup and was named MVP of the final against North Korea. She played every minute of every game in the World Cup.

“I think when she got the taste of a higher level, it made her more determined to go as far as she possibly could,” Hempen said. “It’s something she’s worked for. A top 10 draft pick in the WPS, that’s a pretty big deal for Nikki and for our program and certainly lets people know we have something going on at Colorado.”

Johnson, from Fort Collins, has been a mainstay for the Jayhawks defense, earning all-region honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and Soccer Buzz. She was a member of the Big 12 all-tournament team in 2008 in addition to receiving other defensive and academic honors from the conference. She was a four-year letter winner at Rocky Mountain High School and was named all-state as a junior and senior.

Colorado Force coach Craig Deacon said he became certain of L.A.’s interest in Johnson when team representatives called him on Friday and asked him to break down everything he knows about her.

“Estelle is quality,” Deacon said. “I spoke numerous times with L.A. GM Charlie Naimo on her behalf, encouraging him to take a look and that she’s the real deal. It is great to see her have this opportunity.”

Peetz, a Lincoln, Nebraska native, has received several all-Big 12 accolades in addition to defensive awards and being on the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll six times. She was a charasmatic leader on and off the pitch for the Huskers who started every game in her Nebraska career.

“Peetz is another player who have been in the U-20 national team player pool, like Nikki,” Deacon said. “She was solid for us and has been in several environments which have helped her get to the professional level.”

Force owner Amy Snider was thrilled by the news.

“What an honor for our program to have three of our core players get drafted to the WPS,” said. “I am extremely proud of our players and our head coach for their accomplishments. We’re excited to follow their progress over the next few months and keep Force fans updated as they make their marks as professional athletes.”

Deacon agreed.

“We’ve got three players going on to the level they deserve to be playing on,” Deacon said. “Those guys in the Big 12 have done well. All the teams know about them. Those are three massive players that we lose, but this is what the W-League is about: to give players an opportunity. We lose three good players, but we’re very excited and wish them the best.”

Hemmings was sensational for the Pioneers. During her senior season, 2008, she was named the team’s comeback player of the year, Sun Belt player of the year, Sun Belt tournament MVP, Soccer Buzz All-Central Region first team, NSCAA/adidas all-region second team, All-SBC first team, Sun Belt all-tournament team, CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District 7 University Division First Team and Academic All-America University Division second team. She ended her career as Denver’s second all-time career scoring leader, with 112 points on 42 goals and 28 assists. She tied program record for career goals and ranked third in career assists.

Oddly, Hemmings’ selection marks the second time in two days that a DU player was selected with the final pick in a professional soccer league’s draft. Pioneers defender Kris Banghart was taken by Real Salt Lake with the final pick in Thursday’s Major League Soccer draft. Both were excellent picks.

Here is a list of all the picks in the WPS draft:

FIRST ROUND
Atlanta – Tobin Heath, North Carolina
Boston – Lauren Cheney, UCLA (Pali Blues)
FC Gold Pride – Kelley O’Hara, Stanford
Chicago – Whitney Engen, North Carolina
Los Angeles – Nikki Washington, North Carolina
New York – Brittany Taylor, Connecticut
Washington – NIKKI MARSHALL, Colorado
Los Angeles – Casey Nogueira, North Carolina
Los Angeles – Kiersten Dallstream, Washington State
FC Gold Pride – Ali Riley, Stanford
Boston – Alyssa Naeher, Penn State

SECOND ROUND
FC Gold Pride – Becky Edwards, Florida State
Philadelphia – Malorie Rutledge, LSU
Los Angeles – Michelle Enyeart, Portland
Chicago – Jessica McDonald, UNC
Boston – Jordan Angeli, Santa Clara
St. Louis – Kristina Larsen, UCLA
Washington – Carly Dobratz, Washington State
St. Louis – Ashlyn Harris, UNC
FC Gold Pride – Kaley Fountain, Wake Forest

THIRD ROUND
Atlanta – Blakely Mattern, South Carolina
Los Angeles – Kiki Bosio, Santa Clara
Atlanta – Shameka Gordon, West Florida
Chicago – Kelsey Davis, Portland
Los Angeles – ESTELLE JOHNSON, Kansas (and Colorado Force)
New York – Katie Schoepfer, Penn State
Washington – Beverly Goebel, Miami
St. Louis – Amanda Poach, Santa Clara
New York – Melissa Clarke, LSU

FOURTH ROUND
Atlanta – Jill Hutchinson, Wake Forest
Philadelphia – Kelly Henderson, Boston College
FC Gold Pride – Erin Guthri, Rutgers
Chicago – Michele Weissenhofer, Notre Dame
Boston – Katherine Reynolds, Santa Clara
New York – Danielle Johnson, Mississippi
Washington – Kristi Eveland, North Carolina
St. Louis – Veronica Perez, Washington
Los Angeles – Mary Casey, Maryland

FIFTH ROUND
Atlanta – Mallori Loften-Malachi, University of South Florida
Philadelphia – Carrie Patterson, University of Georgia
FC Gold Pride – Ashley Bowyer, Ohio State University
Chicago – Sophie Reiser, Columbia
Boston – Cynthia Morote-Ariza, Loyola-Chicago
New York – Meagan Snell, Santa Clara
Washington – Lauren Robertson, Ohio State
St. Louis – Carolyn Blank, West Virginia
Los Angeles – Lindsay Browne, Clemson

SIXTH ROUND
Atlanta – Kasey Langdon, Oklahoma State
Philadelphia – Jenifer Anzivino, Rutgers
FC Gold Pride – Elizabeth Harkin, Arizona State University
Chicago – Fiona O’Sullivan, San Francisco
Boston – CARLY PEETZ, Nebraska (Colorado Force)
New York – Kelly Isleib, Utah
Washington – Mara Osher, Boston University
St. Louis – Sarah Teegarden, Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Boston – Gina DiMartino, Boston College

SEVENTH ROUND
Atlanta – Shaneka Gordon, West Florida
Philadelphia – Caitlin Farrell, Wake Forest
FC Gold Pride – Lauren Wilmoth, UCLA
Chicago – Jackie Santacaterina, Illinois
Boston – Casey Brown, Boston University
Philadelphia – Danielle Collins, William & Mary
Washington – Caitlin Miskel, Virginia
St. Louis – Elisabeth Redmond, Duke
Boston – TARYN HEMMINGS, Denver (Real Colorado Cougars)

Jeff Nelson of the Colorado School of Mines was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference offensive player of the week for games played the weekend of Oct. 23. It is the second time this month and season that Nelson has received this honor.

Nelson, a senior forward from Laramie High School in Wyoming, scored three goals and added one assist to help Mines beat Colorado-Colorado Springs 5-1 and Colorado State University-Pueblo 4-2 last weekend. Nelson notched a pair of goals against UCCS, the third time he has done so in the past five games, and recorded an assist. In Mines’ game against CSU-Pueblo, Nelson broke a 2-2 tie in the 51st minute of the match, scoring his team-leading 11th goal of the season.

This season, Nelson ranks first in the RMAC with four game-winning goals, is second in points (26), points per game (1.53), goals and goals per game (0.65).

The 15th-ranked Orediggers (13-2-3, 9-2-1 RMAC) will play at No. 24 Metro State at 3:30 p.m. Friday. Mines will close out the regular season at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at home against Regis University.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Regis goalkeeper Wally Fink, a senior, posted a shutout against Mesa State on Friday, stopping six shots on goal, and recorded eight saves in a 3-0 loss at Fort Lewis College.

RMAC WOMEN’S HONORS: Colorado School of Mines players Kayla Mitchell and Briana Schulze have been named the RMAC offensive and defensive player of the week, respectively. This is the third time this month that Mitchell has received this honor and the third time that Schulze has earned the honor in her career. Mitchell, a senior forward from Ontario, Ore., scored four goals in Mines’ 4-0 win over CSU-Pueblo on Friday. Mitchell’s four goal performance established new single-game school records for goals and points. The hat trick was Mitchell’s fifth of the season. Mitchell, the 2009 Women’s Soccer RMAC academic player of the year, leads the conference in goals (26), goals per game (1.37), points (59), points per game (3.11) and game-winning goals (12) and is tied for sixth in assists (7). In NCAA Division II, Mitchell is tied for fourth in goals per game and ranks seventh in points per game. This season, Mitchell has scored multiple goals in seven games. Against CSU-Pueblo and New Mexico Highlands, Schulze, a junior goalkeeper from Eaglecrest High School in Centennial, recorded her sixth and seventh shutouts this season. Schuzle played all 180 minutes in goal and made seven saves in the two victories. This season, Schulze has helped Mines to 13 shutout victories, most in the RMAC. In her past nine games, Schulze has allowed two goals. At home, Schulze has allowed only two goals all season and has helped Mines blank nine of its past 10 opponents. Schulze ranks third in the RMAC in goals against average (0.74) and fourth in shutouts. The Orediggers (16-3, 12-3 RMAC) will close out the 2009 regular season at noon Sunday against Colorado Christian in Golden.

SUN BELT CONFERENCE WOMEN’S HONOR: University of Denver women’s soccer senior forward Mariah Johnston has been named Sun Belt Conference player of the week for the first time this season. Johnston scored the game-winning goal and had an assist in each of Denver’s two road victories during the weekend. Johnston is tied for the SBC lead in conference games with seven assists and three game-winning goals. Johnston also ranks third in points with 15 and is tied for ninth in goals with four. She leads the team with nine assists, is second in points with 17 and tied for third in goals with eight. This marks the third time in her career that Johnston has won this award and the fourth time by a Pioneer this season. The Pioneers end their regular season at home at 5 p.m. Friday against North Texas at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium as part of a doubleheader with the men’s team. Both Denver soccer teams will honor their seniors.

2009 Sun Belt Conference Players of the Week:

10/27 – Mariah Johnston, Forward, Denver
10/20 – Christina Veasley, Forward, Arkansas-Little Rock
10/13 – Kellie Walker, Midfielder, Western Kentucky
10/6 – Katrina Rose, Defense, Florida International
9/29 – Kaitlin Bast, Forward, Denver
9/22 – Kellie Walker, Midfielder, Western Kentucky
9/15 – Kaitlin Bast, Forward, Denver
9/8 – Kendall Juett, Midfielder, North Texas
9/1 – Lara Campbell, Goalkeeper, Denver
8/25 – Shan Jones, Forward, Middle Tennessee

SUN BELT CONFERENCE MEN’S HONOR: Air Force freshman goalie Mike Mauro has been named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men’s soccer co-player of the week after leading the Falcons to a pair of home conference victories this past weekend. Mauro, from Bristol, Conn., made 10 saves and allowed just one goal as the Falcons beat New Mexico 1-0 and UNLV 2-1. He shares the award with Ernesto Carranza of Sacramento State. On Friday, Mauro made six saves as the Falcons beat New Mexico for the first time since 2003, snapping a seven-game losing streak and 11-game winless streak against the Lobos. He kept Air Force in the game with several outstanding saves, including one on a breakaway by UNM’s Justin Davis in the 52nd minute. Mauro collected the second shutout of his career. On Sunday, he made four saves against UNLV and allowed a goal in the 71st minute, snapping a scoreless streak of 185 minutes. Mauro, who is 4-3 this season after taking over for senior Jim Gullo, leads the MPSF with a save percentage of .780 and is second by averaging four saves per game.

COLORADO FORCE SOCCER CLINIC ON FRIDAY: The Colorado Force will be holding a Monster Soccer Clinic from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Edge Sports Center, which is in Fort Collins at the intersection of Interstate 25 and Mulberry Street (also known as State Highway 14). Here’s a Mapquest map. The cost is $15 per player. For information, contact the Force at (970)484-4653, or amy@forcesoccer.org or cayla@forcesoccer.org. The camp will feature Force players Cayla Deacon Alex Cousins, Lisa Kosena, Brittany Anderson, Lisa Franke and Julie Williford.

DENVER DYNAMITE SIGNS TWO: U.S. national arena soccer team midfielders Tony Thomas and Jay Hamilton have re-signed  with the Denver Dynamite for the 2009-10 Professional Arena Soccer League season. Thomas is a Metropolitan State College of Denver grad who spent some time on the Boulder Rapids Reserves in the United Soccer League’s Premier Development League. Hamilton is a Nevada-Las Vegas grad who also has experience with the San Diego Sockers of the former Major Indoor Soccer League. The Dynamite begins its second season in November.

MY VOTES FOR MLS PLAYER OF THE MONTH: I voted for Andy Williams of Real Salt Lake first and Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts second. Williams played only 120 minutes in October, but he was instrumental in helping Real Salt Lake earn six points en route to a playoff berth, which RSL secured in the final weekend against the Rapids. He helped keep the team postseason hopes alive on Oct. 14 against New York, taking five shots in 27 minutes off the bench and scoring the winning goal in the 80th minute. And he assisted both of Robbie Findley’s goals against the Rapids in Salt Lake’s 3-0 victory. My second choice was Ricketts, who I thought had a shot at the award. He was stingy in a month where the Galaxy posted shutouts in four of its last five games. He’s been a huge reason the Galaxy rebounded this season. The winner, though, was Seattle midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, who recorded four assists while leading Seattle to a 3-0-0 record during October and a berth in the playoffs.

IN THE GREELEY TRIBUNE: Sportswriter extraordinaire Matt Schuman writes about the crop of freshmen that the University of Northern Colorado soccer team is counting on for the 2009 season, including Alexsys Tamayo, who looked sharp against Nebraska on Saturday at Jackson Stadium. Read Schuman’s story here.

EXHIBITION RESULT: Pana Vazquez scored in second-half stoppage time as Southern Methodist walked off with a 1-0 victory over the University of Denver men’s soccer team Saturday night in Houston. The Pioneers host Stanford in their final exhibition game Saturday and open the regular season Sept. 4-6 at the Duke Classic in Durham, N.C., facing North Carolina State and Duke.

MY VOTES FOR PLAYER OF THE WEEK: I voted for Kheli Dube, who scored three goals in the New England Revolution’s 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake. In second place, I picked Red Bulls striker Juan Pablo Angel, who recorded a brace in a 3-2 victory over Dallas. If the North American Soccer Reporters had asked me to vote for three or four players, I’d have had Chivas USA’s Sacha Kljestan (two goals in a 2-0 victory) in third and the Rapids’ Omar Cummings in fourth. Omar was great on Sunday at Chicago, but his goals had a lot less meaning after the Fire scored three in the final 20 minutes to win 3-2.

FORMER RAPIDS IN INTERNATIONAL PLAY: Dedi Ben Dayan played the full 90 for Israel in a recent match against Northern Ireland. The Belfast Telegraph has the story and an awesome slide show. Click on the photo to start the slide show. I think that’s Dedi wearing No. 19. He’s in the lineup in the second pic, and there’s a nice action shot of him later. Many thanks to Mark C. Young and his wonderful MLS alumni roundups. Young also points out that former Rapids player Junior Agogo scored on a PK for Ghana in a 4-1 win over Zambia in London. Read his entire post here.

WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL SOCCER: Heather O’Reilly scored as the NY/NJ Sky Blue beat the Los Angeles Sol 1-0 to capture the WPS championship. The Sky Blue is the same team that tied the Colorado Force in a weather-shortened exhibition in June at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

A few Colorado fans might recognize goalkeeper Chris Sharpe, but the Rapids players certainly did on Saturday night. With Sharpe suited up for Chivas USA at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, many of the Rapids bumped fists or shook hands or patted him on the back as they passed the Goats’ bench.

Sharpe’s rights are owned by the Rapids, and he trains with the Rapids. He pitched a shutout against a local college team in a training match Wednesday with the Rapids’ reserves.

But Sharpe has a contract with Major League Soccer, and he’s used as an emergency backup whenever there’s a need around the league. After Zach Thornton hurt himself at the MLS All-Star Game, Chivas had a need. On Saturday, Sharpe rode the bench as the Rapids shelled Chivas starter Lance Parker with four first-half goals. But Chivas head coach Preki kept Parker in the game (and Sharpe on the bench), using all three of his substitutions for fresh field players at the start of the second half.

Sharpe is originally from Australia. He played for three years with Viborg FF in the Danish Superliga, was sold to Koge Boldklub in the Danish first division in 2007 then came to America. Sharpe lives in Denver now and was the goalkeeping coach for the Colorado Force of the W-League this year.

I caught up with him after Saturday’s Rapids game and during training on Wednesday.

How did you find out you’d be with Chivas USA on Saturday?

The team administrator rang me up Thursday to let me know that Zach was out injured and that I’d be coming in.

When was the first time you met anybody from Chivas USA?

I was here last year for a little bit. I was called in for the SuperLiga last year, so I knew quite a few of the boys and the coaches and stuff. Leo (Percovich, the Rapids’ goalkeeping coach in 2006 and 2007, who is with Chivas USA now) was obviously here.

What about this week? When did you first meet with the team before the game?

Today (Saturday). Saw the boys this morning for the first time today. They were at the hotel at 9:30 this morning. They got in last night.

Did you get any training time with them?

No. Just warmed up today, and that was it.

It looks like they had a jersey and warmups all ready for you.

They knew quite well ahead of time that I was coming in and coordinated with Kevin (Esparza), the team administrator, and Raul (Guerrero), the kit manager here, to have it ready for me.

What about next week?

I don’t know. They’ll tell me. I guess I go back home and see how Zach’s doing. It depends on how he’s doing. I’m sure if he’s not doing well I’ll be with them next week as well.

How does the MLS contract work for you?

The Rapids’ve got my rights. If I’m not on the squad in the weekend, then any other team can come in and put my name in the mix in the MLS. And if they say yes, then I can go.

How often does this happen?

This is my fourth time this year. Last year quite a bit, actually. Spent quite a bit of time away. Spent a couple of weeks here (with Chivas) last year. But all of last year I was here because it was Bouna (Coundoul) and I last year. So I spent half the season here on the bench. Columbus and Chivas this year.

How did everybody on the Rapids treat you this week?

The boys knew yesterday, so they were great. I got to training yesterday morning and the boys were doing set plays and stuff like that, and the boys were telling me to go back to the dressing room so I don’t go in here and tell everybody (with Chivas) what’s going in.

When the score became 4-0 in the first half, did you think you might be getting into the game?

I don’t know. Lance pulled up a little sore in his warmup, and I thought practicing before the game I was going in. The goalkeeping coach came to me and said, “Look, just get yourself ready. You might be going in. He’s hurt his hammy a little bit.” At any given point, I just had to be ready to go in for him if he didn’t feel comfortable.

Were you disappointed when Preki used all three subs at halftime?

Yeah, I mean all the boys on the bench were quite disappointed. It would’ve made it very nice, I’ll tell you that, to play against the boys.

What is your long-term goal?

Get that roster spot. It’s just hard now, with that 24-man roster. I felt I’ve done quite well this year, especially around training. I’d love to get a spot on that roster in the next few years.

George Tanner is a former writer and editor for the Rocky Mountain News; the Greeley Tribune; The Daily Independent of Ridgecrest, Calif.; the Durango Herald; and the Boulder Daily Camera. He is a graduate of the University of Colorado and an associate professor at Metropolitan State College of Denver. E-mail him at ColoradoSoccerNow@gmail.com.

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