Women's Sectional Previews: Central

By BJ Pheasant

Third Round - Saturday

Quarterfinals - Sunday

Sectional Final, 1:00 pm CT

How they reached the Sweet 16

2019 Statistical Overview

Washington U. Season Review

Washington U. is the AQ from the UAA and has only allowed eight goals on the season. They had an early stumble against Hope with a 0-0 draw on the road. That game looked worse as the season went along and Hope did not make the NCAA tournament. Their only loss of the season came to fellow Sweet 16 participant St. Thomas 1-0 in overtime. After that they rolled through the rest of the nonconference season including a dominant win against top five opponent Wheaton (Ill.). The UAA schedule was more of the same until a draw in the final regular season game against Chicago. They played seven teams that qualified for the NCAA tournament during the season.

The Bears. won their fifth straight UAA conference title and 13th since 2003 as they are making a case for owning rather than renting the top spot. They have six players earning All UAA honors including sophomore Gabbie Cesarone as Defensive Player of the Year. Up front Taylor Cohen is a three time first team All UAA performer who led the team with nine goals and eight assists. After undefeated run to the Final Four last year in 2018 the Bears are looking to go all the way in 2019. 

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Season Review

CMS is an at-large bid from the SCIAC and allowed ten goals on the season. Despite missing their conference tournament they qualified on the strength of their 5-0-2 nonconference schedule. They defeated Illinois Wesleyan, Pacific Lutheran and tied UC Santa Cruz on the nonconference schedule. They had seven victories over NCAA teams in total and two of their four losses are to Pomona-Pitzer on the other side of the bracket.

At forward Rhiann Holman is a three-time first-team All-SCIAC selection and led the Athenas in scoring for the third straight season with eight goals and seven assists. Sophomore center back Gracyn Buenconsejo was a first-team All-SCIAC selection. This is the Athenas second trip to the Sweet 16 with the first in 2008 where they lost 0-1 to Carleton, somewhat ironically in a sectional hosted by Wheaton

Pomona-Pitzer Season Review

Pomona-Pitzer is the AQ from the SCIAC and they have allowed only five goals on the season. Three of those goals came in their only loss to date, a 1-3 home defeat by Cal Lutheran despite a 23(13) – 7(5) Shots(SoG) attack advantage along with a 9-1 margin in CK’s. In the nonconference portion of the season they had their lone draw against MIT. They also beat Chicago 1-0. Shots were even, but shots on goal were 6-3 to the Sagehens advantage. They played six teams that made the NCAA tournament and went unbeaten, 5-0-1.

The Sagehens senior Bria VarnBuhler earned SCIAC Player of the Year with 21 goals and three assists while freshman Hannah Mandell earned SCIAC Newcomer of the Year with 11 goals and one assist. The Coaching Staff of the Year award, as well as, three other First Team All-SCIAC performers were on the squad that set a school record with 18 shut outs in a season and counting. Pomona-Pitzer's deepest run in the NCAA Tournament came in 2016 when they were defeated in the Elite 8 in PK’s by Chicago in the Maroon’s run to that program’s third Final Four

Chicago Season Review

Chicago is an at-large bid from the UAA that allowed 14 goals on the season while playing seven NCAA tournament teams, and the second highest SoS in the tournament field. They lost their second game of the season against Pomona-Pitzer 0-1, beat several other NCAA qualifiers and tied Wheaton (Ill.) in their nonconference long running rivalry. In the UAA they finished third and had a draw against champion Washington U. in the final regular season game.

The Maroons top threat is first team all UAA performer Hannah Watkins with 12 goals and six assists this season. Junior goal keeper Maranda Malone has started 15 times in 16 appearances, accumulating an 11-2-3 record. Her goals against average stands at 0.86 accompanied by a .797 save percentage. The Maroons are looking to bounce back from a tough 2018 postseason which saw them lose in the opening round of the NCAA tournament to Grove City by a 1-2 scoreline.

Head Coaches

Seniors' 4-year Record (through Nov. 17)

Players to Watch

Washington U.: #13 D Gabbie Cesarone (So.) –2g,1a, 1gwg (UAA DefPOY) | #28 F Taylor Cohen (Sr.) – 9g, 8a, 4gwg (3x UAA 1st Team) |#8 M Kristen Reikersdorfer (Jr.) – 3g, 3a, 1gwg (UAA 2nd Team) |#16 D Katy Mockett – 1a (UAA 2nd Team)

Claremont-M-S: #7 M Rhiann Holman (Sr.) – 8g, 7a, 2gwg (3x SCIAC 1st team) | #26 D Gracyn Buenconsejo (So.) – (SCIAC 1st team) | #4 F Sarah Tocher (Sr.) – 2g, 7a (SCIAC 2nd team)

Pomona-Pitzer: #8 M Bria VarnBuhler (Sr.) – 21g, 3a, 9gwg (SCIAC POY, 2x 1st team) | #10 M Hannah Mandell (Fr.) – 11g, 1a, 2gwg(SCIAC NewOY, 1st team) | #22 M Emily Tomz 1,3 (SCIAC 1st team) | #27 D Brianna Lau (Sr.) – 2g,5a (SCIAC 1st team) | #00 GK Isa Berardo (Sr.) – 0.30 GAA, .912 Sv%

Chicago: #2 M Hanna Watkins (Sr.) – 12g, 6a, 5gwg (UAA 1st team) |# 20 M Annie Mitchell (Fr.) – 1g, 4a (UAA 2nd team) | #9 D Maddie DeVoe (Jr.) – 2g, 2a, 2gwg (UAA 2nd team) | #1 GK Miranda Malone (Jr.) – 0.83 GAA, .797 Sv%

Tournament Re-Matches

Washington U. has matched up at least once recently with the others in this sectional. Sharing UAA membership, they see the Chicago Maroons annually on the pitch. The Maroons seniors have not beaten their counterparts who sport a four-year 3-0-1 advantage. WashU and Pomona-Pitzer have played only once, a Bears’ Sep. 2017 3-1 victory. Last year, in the regular season, WashU defeated visiting CMS 3-0 bringing their all-time series advantage to 3-1-0. 

Chicago and Pomona-Pitzer have met four times, all since 2014. The Maroons are 2-1-1 against the Sagehens; the most meaningful match was the 2016 Elite 8 where Chicago advanced on PK’s. Pomona-Pitzer’s win came early this season at Chicago, 1-0 in a statistically even match.

On the SCIAC side of this SCIAC / UAA sectional, Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athenas play at least twice per year. Although most contests have been draws or single goal victories, the Sagehens seniors have dominated their conference rivals record wise, 6-1-2 including a 6-0 NCAA Second Round thumping in 2016

Why they will advance to the Final Four

Washington U.: The Bears are arguably the most talented team in the country. They play at home as they host the second weekend. Hosting is a huge advantage. In game one they face a team that is traveling half way across the country and into cold weather for the first time. In game two they face another California team or a conference rival. I predict 3-0 and 2-1 in the two rounds respectively.

Claremont-M-S: The Athenas are all business and it can be easier to focus when on the road. It will be a hard fought battle with the too relaxed hosts as the Athenas score first. It can be tough to chase a game and the weight of expectations magnifies the moments. CMS advances1-0. In the second game they face a conference opponent they have faced twice before with identical scorelines and similar shot totals. There are no surprises. The other option is another Midwestern team that sometimes runs hot or cold. 2-1 is the result and Final Four bound.

Pomona-Pitzer: The Sagehens are conference champs and rolling. They have already beaten Chicago this year and last time they played Chicago in the tournament in 2016 it was 30 degree weather in Wisconsin - 45 is balmy in comparison. They scored six minutes into the game but eventually succumbed in PK’s. This year they are ready and win 3-2. In the second round they face a conference opponent for the third time, which can be tough, or the host. They have enough offense to score and  win either 3-0 overall their conference rival or 2-2 in PKs over the home side.

Chicago: The Maroons are looking to bounce back from a poor showing in the tournament last year. They have had a much better regular season in 2019, but stumbled a few times including against their Sweet 16 opponent. Revenge is a dish best served cold - or at 45 degrees. While not at home it is certainly more familiar surroundings for the Maroons than their opening opponent. In round two it is a similar UAA / SCIAC potential match up with a California team (and new opponent) or the hosts. They tied the hosts in the final regular season game and slightly outshot them. That confidence boost should apply to either opponent. I predict 2-1 and 1-1 (PKs) in the two rounds respectively.

Comments or feedback for the author?  E-mail BJ Pheasant.