San Diego Toreros
2012 Overall Rank: #31
Conference Rank: #3 West Coast Conference
San Diego Team Page
The Toreros of the University of San Diego will begin the 2012 season following a historic 2011 run. The team advanced to the round of Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament before falling 1-0 to Long Beach State. The Toreros also claimed the WCC championship title in a decisive 3-0 victory over Santa Clara. Six of the 11 starters will return this season and eight recruits have been signed to round out the 2012 squad.
2011 Record: 12-8-2, 7-1-0
2011 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Ada Greenwood
Strengths:
San Diego returns the majority of its offensive players from last season, including three of its four starting midfielders and one of its two starting forwards. Mariah Butera (sophomore, M/D) had an excellent freshman campaign. She started in 13 games, played in all 22, and became an immediate impact player with five goals on the season—tying for second in that category. Despite coming from a midfield/defensive background, Butera claimed one of the starting forward spots by the end of the season. Rejoining Butera on the attack will be midfielder Megan O’Rourke, also a sophomore and natural defender who tied for third in assists, as well as midfielders Sierra Ferreira (senior) and Kelley McCloskey (RS junior).
Coach Greenwood will look to the bench to fill the void of graduating defenders Natalie Garcia and Erica Wesley. The starting defensive line will be anchored by returning starters Lexi Deol (RS senior) and Dani Russell (RS senior).
Weaknesses:
The Toreros will have to dig deep to replace offensive powerhouse Stephanie Ochs. Ochs was the category leader for the team last year in goals, assists, and points, and was named WCC player of the year and an NSCAA second team all-American. The loss of Ochs is not one that will be repaired in a single season, and the returning Toreros have a lot of ground to make up in her wake. The team also loses Courtney Parsons, who played all 22 contests in net her senior year. She had a goals-against average of 0.81, which ranked her 52 in the nation of 150 goalkeepers tracked. The backup keeper, Annie Heaton, also will not be returning this season, but two new freshmen goalkeepers, Michelle Craft of Temecula, California, and McKenna Tollack of Carlsbard, California, have been recruited to battle for the starting spot.
Final Projection:
Though the Toreros had a fantastic season in 2011, it may prove difficult to make a repeat performance. After losing five starting players and both goalkeepers, this year will be a rebuilding year for San Diego. The absence of Ochs will leave the offense scrambling to come up with a new strategy to score goals. However, the talented sophomore duo of Butera and O’Rourke may be just what the team needs to continue its success in 2012 and leave them poised for another WCC championship and NCAA tournament berth.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Mariah Butera, Sophomore, F, 5
Assists: Meghan O’Rourke, Sophomore, D, 3
Shots: Mariah Butera, Sophomore, F, 18; Kelley McCloskey, RS Junior, MF, 18
Saves: None
