Sunday, December 16, 2001
Runner-up UNC sparked by two locals
By Shannon Russell
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Long before Sara Randolph played for the University of North Carolina women's soccer team, she knew she had a lot in common with All-America teammate Danielle Borgman.
It wasn't that they were both members of the United States National Team or that they separately aspired to play professional soccer.
Both women brought something more to the perennial powerhouse collegiate program: Cincinnati history.
McAuley alumna Borgman launched her Tar Heels career in 1998 and started at defender in 101 consecutive games, but she still remembers hometown club soccer scrimmages against Randolph in the Hammer Football Club.
“I knew of Sara, but back then I didn't really know what kind of person she was because we played at different age levels,” said Borgman, now a graduating senior.
Sycamore grad Randolph had seen Borgman in action at UNC during several of her club's road trips. Based on the Tar Heels' national reputation and Borgman's impressive resume, Randolph never expected to be starting alongside the seasoned veteran as freshman.
Now that the season's over, she can't imagine anything different.
“We both play on the same side of the field,” said midfielder Randolph, who started in 21 of UNC's 25 games. “I called it our Cincinnati connection on the right side. I'm really going to miss that.”
The top-rated Tar Heels were stunned by Santa Clara 1-0 in the NCAA Women's College Cup Dec.9. The defeat thwarted UNC's chances for a third consecutive NCAA title and 18th championship overall and snapped a 33-game winning streak. The team concluded its season 24-1-0 and 7-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
No one was cheering more for Randolph in the second half of the title game than Borgman, who watched the freshman score and seemingly tie the game. But a Tar Heels offsides call negated the shot. North Carolina didn't score again.
“At first it was disappointing, but after watching the game again (on TV), I think Santa Clara deserved to win. It's just one of those things that happens,” Borgman said. “Another day, another time, and it might have been different.”
Borgman is looking ahead to the Women's United Soccer Association draft in February, with visions of a professional career with one of the eight WUSA teams.
Randolph would like to follow the same path in three years. Still, she would have liked to pay tribute to Borgman and other seniors in a final December victory.
“When I scored the goal, I was never so excited in my life,” Randolph said. “It was upsetting, not being able to win for the seniors. It's tough to end such a great season that way.”
North Carolina coach Anson Dorrance said both players brought unique talents to the playing field. He wouldn't be surprised to see the Cincinnati connection resurface in the professional realm someday.
“All of us looked to Danielle because we knew we'd get 100 percent out of her every practice and every game. I think Sara is going to develop into a great collegiate player and help us on national teams,” Dorrance said. “The level of competition that comes out of Cincinnati is obviously very high.”
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The Cincinnati State men's basketball team set two school records in its 113—47 win over Lakawanna College in the Palm Beach Tournament Dec.7: margin of victory (66 points) and field goals in a game (46).
Eastern Kentucky University senior right tackle Brent Fox (Wyoming) was named to the all-Ohio Valley Conference first team. Fox helped the team to an 8-2 record.
Wilmington College senior defensive back Antonio Broadnax (Aiken) was named first-team Division III by the American Football Coaches Association for the second consecutive season.
Soccer midfielder Tara Henderson (Norwood) earned All-America honors at Tusculum College. She was named to the NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division II All-America second team.
UC-Clermont volleyball player Jenny Weaver (Roger Bacon) was named to the All-Ohio Regional Campus Conference first team and the all-tournament team. Mandy Englehart (Roger Bacon) was named to the ORCC second team, while Kristen Miller (Clermont Northeastern), Beth Niebling (Roger Bacon) and Jenny Rieger (Princeton) collected honorable mention All—ORCC awards.
NKU's Michelle Cottrell (Boone County) was named Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week for the third time this season. She averaged 19.5 points and 16 rebounds in the undefeated Norse's victories over Kentucky Wesleyan and Southern Indiana.
UC senior Ann Thomas (Northwest) was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American second team.
Ashland University soccer player Brad Stinson (Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy) was named to the All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference second team. He scored eight goals and had two assists this year.
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Runner-up UNC sparked by two locals
