Fresno State Athletics
Seniors Leave A Lasting Legacy
12/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Dec. 4, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - For the 2008 seniors winning the WAC Championship as freshmen was sweet, but winning it as seniors was even sweeter. Ali Sill, Selena Gill, and Nicole Gutierrez won the WAC Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in their first year as Bulldogs. The next two years the team finished a close second at the WAC Tournament.
"Outside the fact that they helped us win three championships ( one league and two tournaments) in their four years, they have been great soccer players and good students, and great citizens of Fresno State and the athletic department," said head coach Steve Springthorpe. "They have always represented the athletic department and our program in the highest way possible. They have been able to do the other things that are expected of a student-athlete at Fresno State, like being involved in community service and getting the job done academically."
In 2008, the seniors and team did not want to repeat the previous years. They wanted to leave the same way they came in, as WAC Champions. It took two overtime periods before the Bulldogs won their second WAC title in four years and continuing their season into the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.
"As a coach wins and losses are a big part of it, winning championships is a big part of it, they have done that and done other things that people don't recognize," said Springthorpe.
Sill, Gill, and Gutierrez leave the program with more wins than any class in Fresno State history. The seniors have compiled a total record of 47-31-8 and a winning percentage of .546. The seniors have done more for the program than win two WAC Tournament Championships and make two NCAA Tournament appearances.
"Ali was feared by a lot of coaches because of her work ethic and the way that you could always count on her on the field or in practice," said Springthorpe. "She played as hard as she possibly could and that was a part of her success was being able to do that."
Three-time First Team All-WAC midfielder, Sill, broke the school record for career assist on Oct. 10 against San Jose State. Sill ended her career with a total of 23 assists of four years and in 2007 she set the single season record with nine assists. She scored two goals at the 2008 WAC Tournament and was named the tournament MVP.
"It is shocking because I didn't come here to break records," said Sill. "I came to play soccer and for the experience. I have had the best experience at Fresno State and happy with the outcome of my four years here."
"Her first year was a learning experience and it wasn't until her sophomore and junior year finding that spot and becoming a starter," said Springthorpe. "And now she leads the backline and is the one who organizes it and the one defender that everyone counted on."
Gill spent four years as part of the Bulldog defense and helped record 39 shutouts. She returned this season as a leader among the back line. In 2008, the defense recorded 11 shutouts and allowed only two goals against WAC opponents. Gill helped the defense shutout seven of eight games against WAC opponents.
"I am the oldest on the team now and I have had to lead the back row, and since I started I have always been the youngest on the back row, so the biggest change has been stepping into the leader role," said Gill. "We finally got the right players in the right position in the back field. The only other player that had any experience back there was Bradlee (DeShane) and it came down to getting the backline experience and confidence. Once we gained both of those we were successful."
Gutierrez led the Bulldogs in goals both her junior and senior years. She led in points her junior year with a total of 25 (10 goals and five assists). In 2008, she led the pack with seven goals and scored a league high of five game-winning goals. Aside from her time on the field, Gutierrez has been actively involved in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and taking part in Big Heroes/ Little Heroes.
"Nicole, you could always count on her to be super competitive and on the field and it was like she was playing with a chip on her shoulder, which is something that opposing coaches feared a bit," said Springthorpe. "Nicole had to play behind Courtney Sobrero, who was a target forward, so initially she was coming off the bench for us and getting time. In the last couple of years she has been put in there and owned the forward position full-time and excelled."
Springthorpe added that he was proud of the three seniors represented the school on and off the field.
"They are positive role models for the young kinds that come and watch our games. They conduct themselves well on the field and at practice, and in the classroom," said Springthorpe. "They are also good peer models for the rest of the team and can look at them and say this is how we are supposed to be. Working hard, creating a competitive atmosphere, and getting it done in the classroom."
Now that practices, weights, and days on the field are over, the seniors apply what they learned at Fresno State into life after graduation.
"They will be missed, there is no doubt, they have been around for four years and have done a lot for the program, said Springthorpe. "I am happy for them that they came in here as champions their freshman year and they get to go out as champions."
All three are set to graduate in May 2009 and embark on different paths. Sill will be heading back to school to become a nurse. Gutierrez will be interning during her year off before taking on law school. Gill plans to pursue an internship with ESPN.
"I am going to miss playing and the team itself," said Gill. "Growing up I always wanted sisters, and with three older brothers, the team is my chance to have 25 sisters."
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs return to the Save Mart Center on Thursday, December 4 in the Papé Slam as they host TCU in the Save Mart Center at 7:00 pm. It's Thursday Night at the Save Mart Center and all Fresno State and Fresno Unified School District faculty and staff can receive $2 tickets with presentation of their ID (limit 4 tickets) at the Save Mart Center box office. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center box office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
