Not for the first time, members of Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s alumni will be helping their teams challenge for university honours this collegiate postseason.
Standout players from the weekend’s action include Ben McKendry, Alex Rowley, goalkeeper Erin McNulty and Jenna Di Nunzio, while Washington State benefited from match-winning efforts from Nicole Setterlund and Brandi Vega.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin star Monica Lam-Feist picked up a well-deserved individual honour for her exploits this season.
MEN
Ben McKendry opened the scoring for the University of New Mexico in their 3-1 away win over Seattle University on Sunday afternoon. The victory handed the Lobos the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship.
The former Residency player struck in the 30th minute with a headed goal to get the ball rolling for the visitors.
Staying in Washington, fellow ‘Caps Residency graudate Alex Rowley continued his stellar play for Simon Fraser University with a goal in the first half. The Clan went on to thrash Saint Martin’s Saints 7-1 last Thursday in Lacey.
Down in Florida, defender Daniel Stanese helped steer Florida Gulf Coast University to a 1-0 shutout win over ETSU on Friday night, while at Rogers Field closer to home, Trinity Western University goalkeeper Evan Lowther made five saves for the Spartans in their 0-0 draw with UBC Thunderbirds.
It was ‘Caps prospect alum Lowther’s fourth shutout of the season.
WOMEN
Former Whitecaps FC women’s team goalkeeper Erin McNulty secured her 13th victory – and sixth shutout – of the season as she made seven saves to backstop Penn State University to a 2-0 triumph over Purdue on Friday night.
In Tampa, Demi Stokes converted from the spot to help lift the University of South Florida to a 4-3 penalty kick win over Louisville to advance to the Big East semifinals.
Up north in Wisconsin, Whitecaps FC women’s player Monica Lam-Feist was named to the All-Big Ten second team for her terrific season with the Badgers. The Vancouver native has scored six goals in 2012, including the game-winner in a win over Notre Dame in the season opener.
Meanwhile, it was a big weekend for fellow ‘Caps players Nicole Setterlund and Brandi Vega for Washington State.
A first-ever game-winning goal from Setterlund helped push the Cougars to a narrow 2-1 win over Oregon State on Friday. Vega was credited with the assist on the goal.
Vega, a senior for Washington State, followed up that assist with the only goal of the game in Sunday’s victory over Oregon. It was Vega’s eighth career game-winner in college soccer while teammate Gurveen Clair took home her fourth shutout of the year.
Back in Canada, Jenna Di Nunzio scored a double in the first half to give Trinity Western a 2-0 win over Manitoba at home, a result that sent the Spartans into the Canada West Final Four for the ninth straight year.
And lastly, Janine Frazao got on the scoresheet in UBC’s comprehensive 4-0 humbling of Alberta Pandas at Thunderbird Stadium , with 'keeper Alyssa Williamson earning the shutout.
The Thunderbirds will join TWU in Canada West Final Four action this weekend.
