PSC Women’s Soccer Team is #1 in the Nation

After recently defeating two top-15 ranked teams in three days, Polk State College Women's Soccer team found themselves sitting on top of two national polls. Both the National Junior College Athletic Association and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America rank the team Number 1 in the country.

The 11-0 Vikings defeated sixth-ranked Laramie in overtime on Oct. 9 and shut out 11th-ranked Southwestern Illinois on Oct. 11. When then number one-ranked Monroe Community College of New York lost during the same weekend, the door was opened for PSC to move into the top spot. PSC was previously ranked third in the NSCAA poll and second in the NJCAA poll.

A 2007 preseason poll ranked the team Number 1. This is the first time the Vikings have been ranked Number 1 during the season.

Defense has led the team to its undefeated year.

“Our defense is very strong,” said Coach Bill Read. “Freshmen Jill Maykut, Danielle Derama and Erika Resendez, along with Sophomore Robin Loughry, all do a very good job,”

He also praised goalkeeper Kayla Hanson, the tenth-ranked goalie in the nation in scoring defense. She has been in the net for 850 minutes this season and has given up only four goals. Hanson has had 55 saves and has a Goals Against Average of 0.424.  

On the offensive side, Nicole Lehman leads the team with 37 points, followed by Raquel Silveira with 21 points and Ashley Brower with 18 points.

“I want to emphasize that this has been a team effort, and little credit can go to any one player,” said Coach Read, who was named Coach of the Year for District F in 2004 and 2007. During the past seven years, Read has led the Vikings to five Region 8 Titles and one District F Title, and the squad played in one NJCAA National Tournament.

Up ahead for the Vikings is the District F Tournament on the weekend of Nov. 6. Four powerhouse teams from Georgia (Middle Georgia, Young Harris, Darton and Georgia Perimeter) will be the major competition for the Vikings. PSC will host the tournament at Lake Myrtle Park, Auburndale.