May 20, 2005

Women’s Soccer:

Eight from 2004 squad moving on to play at four-year universities

The tradition of winning is not the only thing the Long Beach City College women’s soccer program is known for. Since 1997, LBCC has sent 42 of its student-athletes on to play at four-year universities. It’s likely a number that can’t be matched by any community college in California.

Eight members of Long Beach’s 2004 sophomore class will be taking their talents to the next level as they continue their education this upcoming fall.

“It’s a tradition that (former head coach) Mauricio Ingrassia and I started when we first got here,” said LBCC co-head coach Alex Camargo. “We both felt that getting our team on to the next level in their education was just as important, if not more, than winning. We’ve been very fortunate to have some very good student-athletes here that not only excelled on the field, but in the classroom.”

The 2004 sophomore class compiled a 42-0-1 two-year overall record, won two conference titles, and captured the 2003 national and state championships. This past fall, Long Beach advanced to the state championship semifinals and closed the season at No. 5 in the final national rankings.

2004 NSCAA/adidas Junior College Division III National Player of the Year and two-time All-American Kristin Childers has decided to stay close to home and will begin play her junior season at Cal State Fullerton.

Other student-athletes moving on include:

Desi Guenther, University of New Haven

Tauni Kentner, Chapman University

Katie Krapf, Bowling Green University

J.J. Albeño, Long Beach State University

Jenna Duncan, Long Beach State University

Kristen Sonsma, Metropolitan State College

Amria Ebel, Metropolitan State College

The 2004 group ties the state championship 2001 squad that sent eight of its members on to play at the four-year level for the most transfers in team history.