Briefs: ‘Eaters’ Goodson touted for ’11 run
UC Irvine senior women’s soccer defender CoCo Goodson has been named preseason All-American by Soccer America and is also on the watch list for the Hermann Trophy, which goes to the nation’s top player.
Goodson, named first-team All-American last season by the National Soccer Coaches Assn. of America, was also the Big West Conference Defender of the Year in 2010, when she scored nine goals to help the Anteaters finish 19-3-2 and reach the Round of 16 in the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Goodson’s 18 points last season ranked second among Big West players and she led the conference with five game-winning goals after transferring to UCI from Texas.
Goodson is the first player in UCI annals to be named a preseason All-American. She was the first Anteater in 27 seasons to receive first-team All-American recognition.
Goodson is among 42 selected to the watch list. Voters from the NSCAA will reduce the field to 15 semifinalists, then three finalists. The winner will be announced Jan. 6 at the National Soccer Hall of Fame Museum in Oneonta, N.Y.
— From staff reports
‘Eaters get transfer
Camille Buckley, a 6-foot-1 forward who was named West Coast Conference Newcomer of the Year last season at Loyola Marymount University, has transferred to UC Irvine to play women’s basketball, UCI Coach Molly Gooodenbour announced Monday.
Buckley averaged 6.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game at LMU. She led all conference players with 10.6 rebounds during WCC play. She had six double-doubles and 13 games with double-digit rebounds and her 254 rebounds ranked No. 5 in Lions single-season annals.
Buckley, who will sit out the 2011-12 season per NCAA transfer restrictions, will have three years of eligibility with the Anteaters.
“I have been a huge fan of Camille’s game and style of play since watching her play with current UCI player Jazmyne White [at Colony High],” Goodenbour said.
Buckley was the CIF Southern Section III-A Co-Player of the Year as a junior and was a four-time all-league performer at Ontario-based Colony.
— From staff reports
UCI flavor in China
Carson Clark and Cory Yoder, who starred on the UC Irvine men’s volleyball team last season, helped the U.S. men’s team defeat United Arab Emirates, 25-21, 25-13, 25-20, at the World University Games in Shenzhen, China.
Team USA is 3-1 in the tournament and will complete pool play on Wednesday against Thailand (3-0). The winner will advance to play with the top eight teams. The Americans’ lone loss was a five-game setback to the Czech Republic.
Connor Hughes, who will be a junior outside hitter at UCI in 2012 after redshirting last season, teamed with USC’s Maddison McKibbin to win two beach volleyball matches at the World University Games. The duo topped tandems from Costa Rica and Italy before falling in the third round, 21-15, 21-16, to a team from Poland. They continue in the consolation bracket on Wednesday.
— From staff reports
Hyams, LeDuc shine
UC Irvine’s Sam Hyams and Madeline LeDuc have been named to the 2011 Division I All-Academic team by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Assn.
Hyams, who is majoring in history and political science, competed in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA West Preliminary Round in Eugene, Ore. in May.
Hyams, who will be a senior this coming season, placed third in the 1,500 at the Big West Conference championships in May.
His career-best time of 3 minutes, 45.19 seconds ranks seventh in UCI history.
LeDuc, who recently earned her degree in psychology and social behavior, competed in the triple jump at the NCAA West Preliminary Round in Eugene, Ore. in May.
She broke the 24-year-old school record in the triple jump this past season with a mark of 41 feet, 21/4 inches at the Asics/Steve Scott Invitational May 1. LeDuc finished third in the event at the Big West Conference championships.
To qualify for the award, student-athletes must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.25 and participate in any round of the NCAA Division I Championships.
— From staff reports