Newspapers / North Carolina Wesleyan University … / Nov. 6, 1992, edition 1 / Page 4
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PAGE 4 — THE DECREE — NOVEMBER 6,1992 Goalie’s talent sparks Lady Bishops’ success By BRAD BARNES LADY BISHOPS’ SOCCER TEAM IS NOW RANKED FIFTH IN NATION, FIRST IN REGION. Lady Bishops win two more Jennifer Gardner is a-knockin’ at the door, and she is bringing the whole Lady Bishops soccer team with her. It does not take much to un derstand why Gardner is consid ered one of the best goalkeepers the Lady Bishops soccer program has ever produced. The 5’ 10” jun ior has been the Bishops’ keeper since her freshman year. She has been playing soccer since she was five years old. While in grade school, Gardner had always wanted to play as a forward because she wanted to score. But no one else wanted to play goalie. Gardner eventually found herself playing keeper, spoiling her hopes of being a scorer. How did this reversal of for- time happen? Something called her to it — her parents. Richard and Sue Gardner spent weekends and free time kicking, throwing balls at their daughter, anything to teach her to play the position. Sooner or later, the hard work .began paying off when her old high school, Robinson Second ary, played its rival. Lake Braddock. The Braddock team had a player named Mia Hamm, now considered to be one of the best female soccer players in the land. After going on to play on the U.S. national team, Hamm is now a member of the University of North Carolina women’s soc cer team. Hamm had three one- on-one confrontations with Gardner in the game, and Gardner stopped her every time. The crowd appreciated Gardner’s ef forts so much that they gave her a standing ovation. Several colleges were inter ested in Gardner — American University, George Mason, and Maryland, just to name a few. Out of a blue sky with gold trim mings came North Carolina Wes leyan College Lady Soccer Coach Patrick Baker with a soccer ball in one hand and a list of values in the other. After talking with Baker, Gardner and her family knew that Wesleyan was the place for her. “We’ve never regretted it,” her mother. Sue, said. With patience and hard work, Gardner’s transition from high school to college was smooth. In her first year playing between the sticks for the battling Bishops, she collected two shut-outs and started 16 of 19 games — on her way to being named to the All- Dixie Conference first te£un. In her sophomore year, Gardner set a single season record for shut-outs with nine. In the fol lowing year, 1992, she broke that by collecting 11 shut-outs. When teammates were asked to com ment on Gardner’s ability in the net, their consensus was: she’s simply wonderful, plus. “Awesome. She’s the best I have played with in my five years at NCWC,” said Kate Mangrum. “Great. She never gives up in a game,” said Kari Zo^kler. To whom does Gardner at tribute the honor of her success in front of the net? Her team mates. “I’m proud that my team mates have confidence in me as a goalkeeper,” she said. ‘Their con fidence helps me to trust in my self and my abilities. “We aU care about each other,” she said. “My accomplishments on the field should be attributed equally to everyone on our team.” Off the field, for someone who has such skill at the goal, she is very accident prone. It is said that sometimes Gardner has the clum siness of Mr. Magoo — never intentionally careless but always having accidents. At age 10, she went from 5’4” to 5’8” which might have accounted for her ear lier clumsiness. “I felt sorry for her,” her mother laughed. “I hope Jennifer does not find out I said this.” Last year, just two days be fore the conference championship game and a week before the NCAA soccer tournament, Gardner broke a bone in her foot. How? She just stepped off a curb. Gardner lias dedicated this sea son to winning the conference championship — not only going to the NCAA but also reaching the final four of the tournament Part of Gardner’s goal has come true. The Lady Bishops have won their conference, and they have kicked their way into the NCAA tourney with the num ber one ranking in the region, sporting a 11-2-3 record overall with 2-0-1 in the conference. Gardner is on her way to winning her first All-American award. Bobby Betts, goal keeper for the NCWC men’s soccer team, had this advice for Mr. Magoo’s twin prior to the tournament. “Please stay in your room,” he said. “Don’t leave for anything. We will pass your food to. you under the door.” By GWEN PACHARIS The women’s soccer team added two wins to their record this past weekend, bringing their record to 11-2-2 and giving them a number one ranking in the re gion and a ranking of fifth na tionally. The Lady Bishops’ first game The men’s soccer team had a busy week as they played three games in five days, losing two. N.C. Wesleyan started off by hosting Dixie Conference foe Ferrum College, losing a heart- breaker, 1-0, in overtime. The team then traveled to Atlanta, Ga., to play in the Oglethorpe Union Jack Tournament and came away with a win and a loss. Behind a three-goal perfor mance by sophomore forward Chad Garbrandt and smgle goal by freshman defender Eric Minetti, the Bishops handed Sa vannah College a 4-1 loss. Fresh man midfielder Jake Harper col lected three assists and junior midfielder Pat Crouch had one assist in the game. The Bishops then played Oglethorpe and lost 4-3. Garbrandt scored three more goals, Harper recorded two as sists, and senior defender Jeff Walker had one assist in the los ing cause. “It was an extremely disap pointing week,” said head coach Spencer Smith. “We lost two tough games. The team played well enough to win, but we just * couldn’t get the break we . last weekend was a 4-1 win over Marymount University. Senior midfielder Kate Mangrum scored 25 minutes into the game on an assist by junior midfielder Julie Duerler. This was the only goal by the Bishops in the first half. In the second half, sophomore forward Chris Webb had a hat trick, and sophomore midfielder needed.” The man played Duke Univer sity on Wednesday last week and then closed the season at home on Saturday against Shenandoah. “Playing Duke will be a great test and thrill for our team,” coach Smith said before the game. “We are looking forward to the trip to Durham.” The week left the men’s team with a record of 0-5-0 in the Dixie Conference and 5-10-1 overall this season. Heather Kobrist tallied all three assists. “We played with a lot of emo tion and determination,” said head coach Patrick Baker. “Kathleen DeFreitas played exceptionally well at stopper and the combina tion of Webb/Zobrist produced some nice goals.” On Sunday, the Lady Bishops’ defense recorded its 11th shutout of 1992 with a 9-0 win over High Point College. Chris Webb, Kate Mangrum, Jenny Meagher, Julie Duerler, Kerri Makar, Christina McShain, Amy Tolley, andNene Danieu all had goals against High Point and senior midfielder Debbie Wade was the only player to score twice. “I was glad to see everyone get involved in the scoring,” said coach Baker. “We scored seven quality goals which will help our confidence in being able to finish in the offensive third.” The team later played Meth odist College to win the Dixie Conference championship and re ceived a bid to the NCAA tour nament only to lose Wednesday, 1-0, in the opening round. Personals/Classified The space is provided for anyone to leave mes sages, advertise, or simply be heard. The cost of a personaior classified is 25 cents per word. All re quests must be given to John Pernell. Payment is due on acceptance. $$$$ FREE TRAVEL AND RESUME EXPERIENCE. Indi viduals and student organiza tions wanted to promote Spring Break. Call the nation’s leader, Inter-Campus Programs, 1- 800-327-6013. Don't forget the next SNCAE •• meeting on Nov. 9, at 10:30 a.m. in room 240. Ken — Babbling about Jonathan, sweet babboo? Lovely sunset. Take back your school! Stew, patch the hole in your pants. Go see “Nun Sense” in the Coltrane Theatre. Men^s team loses two in tough play
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Nov. 6, 1992, edition 1
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