IRVINE, Calif. --- The meat of the 2010 season was upon us as Big West play began in October.
The first few years of the Big West,the Anteaters were in the discussion finishing second from 1996-98. The 1997 team actually won the Big West Tournament in wild fashion needing 146 minutes to down Cal Poly. After that, the program dipped into obscurity finishing higher than fourth just once over the next eight seasons. Coach Juniper took the reins in 2007 and brought the 'Eaters out of last place and back into the winning mindset heading into 2010.
The first half of the 2010 season was going well with wins over ranked squads and riding an eight-game unbeaten streak with five straight wins. The team still needed to prove itself in the Big West all along rolling with the underdog mentality.
"For me, that's what made the 2010 season so fricken fun," noted Dana Sanderlin, a sophomore in this 2010 run, "because it just seemed we were that underdog, like of course we're in it, but we were also having so much fun with it. It was just one of those dynamics that you can't explain. You hear all the clichés, but it was just something about that team where we had that perfect combination. Let's have fun and be light with one another, but when we're on the field, we need to bring it for everyone else."
That mentality started from game one hosting Pacific, a program that had gone seven seasons without a losing record. The match was a battle going scoreless into overtime both teams essentially even on shots and chances. One of the difference-makers in the 2010 season, CoCo Goodson, pulled out the win with just over a minute left in double overtime to start the 'Eaters on another roll.
Next up was UC Davis and a 6-0 demolition featuring goals from both Kopf sisters. That was followed by a 3-0 waxing on the road at perennial power and defending champion, Cal Poly. Another test followed as the Central Coast trip commenced with the defending Big West Tournament champion, UC Santa Barbara. The Gauchos finally got a goal in on de Seriere, albeit a penalty, but the team responded forcing overtime and providing the finishing blow from Alexis Rafael again in the final minutes of double overtime.
All along, the squad was having really drinking it all in and coming together as a unit, still the underdog, just being in the moment as a team, and building on the chemistry as Sanderlin continues to recollect.
"I do not remember game-to-game, but I remember the little rituals we would do like holding hands right before the whistle to warm up. We'd hop over the line together, something we all really took to heart and brought us all together." Something the team still incorporates to their warmup to this day.
Back home for the next matchup, and another double overtime shutout win to drop CSUN. Then the rivals came calling, Long Beach State, and another 1-0 shutout win had the Anteaters 6-0-0 and rolling on a 14-match unbeaten run. The Anteaters had won the Big West Tournament before back in 1997, but a regular season crown had still eluded the program finishing second that year as well as 1996 and 1998. They were on the verge of its first ever regular season title heading into the weekend at UC Riverside needing a win.
"What made the biggest difference was our freshman year, the upperclassmen had nine or ten girls there so when you first walk in, it was intimidating, I don't know how I can keep up with this. Within that first week, D (
Danielle de Seriere) who I called "Mama D", made it really apparent that us freshmen were welcomed in, and the sophomore classes, she just made it seem like there's no upper and lower classmen. You're always going to be that rookie and getting gear and working your way up the totem pole, but I remember clearly, D and other girls would invite to Newport for dinner, really welcome with open arms, and you're thinking 'hey these rookies might change things up for take my spot,' but they did not have that sense. Yes the rookies know their place and the things that are needed, but also we expect a lot of them, too, that healthy balance stood out a lot for me. We came up with crazy routines, we tried to approach fitness that were fun challenges. We had crazy dance parties to get us loose and laughing, and we'd do these things with laughs right before games to kind of shake off the nerves."
A second-half strike gave the 'Eaters the regular season title, 1-0, moving them to the precipice of history. The final match, Senior Day, against Cal State Fullerton, with something on the line as important as a conference title - a shot at something never done and not since replicated in the Big West - a perfect 8-0-0 record on the line.
Cal State Fullerton was all that stood in the way, but they gave coach Juniper's squad the biggest challenge and were quick to the draw scoring first in the 15th minute. Devon Delarosa and Sanderlin teamed up to respond less than 30 seconds later, but the Titans regained the lead by halftime. CoCo delivered again to tie it up, and the winner in the 61st minute from Tanya Taylor, her 10th of the season, to complete the comeback and secure the first and only perfect Big West season. Sixteen wins in a row, and the Big West Tournament ready to kick off as the season headed into the postseason.
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10 years ago today we beat Pacific 1-0 on our way to a perfect 8-0-0 season. Never been done before and hasn't been done since. Coco Goodson scored in the 109th minute to win it. She went on to become a 2x All-American, a pro soccer player in the US and Europe and now serves her country around the world as an officer in the US Army. It's a privilege to have had the chance to coach her and I'm so thankful for her friendship and support of our team. She led the way in how to compete on your edge, every day, unapologetically. . #STRONGwomen . . . @gillian_rose, @laniwaiwai, @j_swan2, @sarah_radecke, @thejuuuudddeeee, @carlyanniee, @duh_sair_e_air, @devpfeil, @sdfromthesd, @zfarzaneh, @niiksauce, @kalagab, @nicolegilbertt, @cocogoodson, @amanda_hugnkiss, @alyshelm, @jordankopf_, @lexi_scoles, @alexiskrafael, @alisareich, @sunrayy88, @rodriguez.mar07, @jackiegracehu, @d_sander, @t_mariiieee, @jordynnnu, @zeedubb14, @lexapiraino, @colette_monique, @peteypab5, @wendiwhitman, @coachjuniper, @ucirvine, @ucirvinealumni
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10 years ago this week we beat UC Davis 6-0 ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? (10-1-2, 2-0-0). The most significant was goal number 6 scored by Jordan Kopf when our bench erupted with joy. I've never forgotten that moment and I've shared the story often. Jordi was one of a number of players in our championship squad in 2010 who rarely made the headlines but who were crucial to our success. Jordi was a "thermostat" and when she worked hard, so did everyone else and when she smiled so did everyone else. Dr. Jordan Kopf had dinner with our team recently in Hawaii where she is an OBGYN resident physician with the US Army. . #STRONGwomen . . . @gillian_rose, @laniwaiwai, @j_swan2, @sarah_radecke, @thejuuuudddeeee, @carlyanniee, @duh_sair_e_air, @devpfeil, @sdfromthesd, @zfarzaneh, @niiksauce, @kalagab, @nicolegilbertt, @cocogoodson, @amanda_hugnkiss, @alyshelm, @jordankopf_, @lexi_scoles, @alexiskrafael, @alisareich, @sunrayy88, @rodriguez.mar07, @jackiegracehu, @d_sander, @t_mariiieee, @jordynnnu, @zeedubb14, @lexapiraino, @colette_monique, @peteypab5, @wendiwhitman, @coachjuniper, @ucirvine, @ucirvinealumni
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10 years ago today this squad were ranked 19th in the nation and bt. Cal Poly 3-0 ?? ?? ?? (Taylor, Kopf, Rodriguez). Our impact players off the bench that day we're Lani Amack, Zoya Farzaneh, Amanda Hardeman, Alexis Rafael, Raylean Robles and Jackie Samis. Every one of them contributed the 2010 historic season (19-2-3, 8-0-0) and are all doing big things in their chosen careers. These #STRONGwomen are leading in their industries in 2020 including medicine, real estate and health and fitness and some raising their kids at the same time. Amazing to look at the picture and realize the potential that was building in them and what it would grow into. . #STRONGwomen . . . @gillian_rose, @laniwaiwai, @j_swan2, @sarah_radecke, @thejuuuudddeeee, @carlyanniee, @duh_sair_e_air, @devpfeil, @sdfromthesd, @zfarzaneh, @niiksauce, @kalagab, @nicolegilbertt, @cocogoodson, @amanda_hugnkiss, @alyshelm, @jordankopf_, @lexi_scoles, @alexiskrafael, @alisareich, @sunrayy88, @rodriguez.mar07, @jackiegracehu, @d_sander, @t_mariiieee, @jordynnnu, @zeedubb14, @lexapiraino, @colette_monique, @peteypab5, @wendiwhitman, @coachjuniper, @ucirvine, @ucirvinealumni
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10 years ago (yesterday!) the perfect Big West record wobbled but didn't beak as we beat UCSB 2-1 in overtime thanks to goals from Zuri Walker and Alexis Rafael. Zuri was the kind of elegant athlete and masterful technician that I would race to buy a ticket to watch. As a freshman in 2010, Zuri played 19 games for us and never failed to change the flow of a game. A kind, joyful, quiet person and an electric competitor. Miss you Zuri!! #STRONGwomen . . . @gillian_rose, @laniwaiwai, @j_swan2, @sarah_radecke, @sddd_hugnkiss, @alyshelm, @jordankopf_, @lexi_scoles, @alexiskrafael, @alisareich, @sunrayy88, @rodriguez.mar07, @jackiegracehu, @d_sander, @t_mariiieee, @jordynnnu, @zeedubb14, @lexapiraino, @colette_monique, @peteypab5, @wendiwhitman, @coachjuniper, @ucirvine, @ucirvinealumni
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Amanda Hardeman transferred to UC Irvine from @scchawksathletics in 2010 and on this day 10 years ago assisted the winning goal to beat CSUN 1-0 extending the win streak for the #18 ranked Anteaters to ten straight games. Amanda became a big-time starter for us and one of the legends of our program. Amanda now works and competes in the fitness industry inspiring the next generation including work with @valkyrie_performance who help "women become stronger leaders, inside and out." If you have performance goals you should follow @amanda__hugnkiss for daily inspiration!!! . . . #STRONGwomen . . . . @gillian_rose, @laniwaiwai, @j_swan2, @sarah_radecke, @Amanda__hugnkiss, @alyshelm, @jordankopf_, @lexi_scoles, @alexiskrafael, @alisareich, @sunrayy88, @thejuuuudddeeee, @devpfeil, @nicolegilbertt, @lexaperaino, @kalagab, @niiksauce, @zfarzaneh, @duh_sair_e_air, @cocogoodson, @carlyanniee, @sdfromthesd, @alexiskrafael, @alisareich, @rodriguez.mar07, @jackiegracehu, @d_sander, @t_mariiieee, @jordynnnu, @zeedubb14, @lexapiraino, @colette_monique, @peteypab5, @wendiwhitman, @coachjuniper, @ucirvine, @ucirvinealumni
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"#15 ranked UC Irvine Defeats Long Beach State, 1-0 (14-1-2, 6-0-0)" was the headline on OCT.21.10. Coco scored the game winning goal and I remember it was another top-class, majestic, commanding, leadership performance from Judy Christopher. Judy was a truly incredible holding midfield player, our greatest of all-time ??. If you have ever played that position you know you rarely get the headlines or the media friendly stats. I kept my own "Judy stats". Through the entire 2010 season our opponents' #10s collectively scored zero goals and added zero assists. Judy could have played pro but chose a path to becoming a is registered nurse and proud Mum. One in a million player and human being. Come back and see us soon Judy. . . #STRONGwomen . . . . @gillian_rose, @laniwaiwai, @j_swan2, @sarah_radecke, @Amanda__hugnkiss, @alyshelm, @jordankopf_, @lexi_scoles, @alexiskrafael, @alisareich, @sunrayy88, @thejuuuudddeeee, @devpfeil, @nicolegilbertt, @lexaperaino, @kalagab, @niiksauce, @zfarzaneh, @duh_sair_e_air, @cocogoodson, @carlyanniee, @sdfromthesd, @alexiskrafael, @alisareich, @rodriguez.mar07, @jackiegracehu, @d_sander, @t_mariiieee, @jordynnnu, @zeedubb14, @lexapiraino, @colette_monique, @peteypab5, @wendiwhitman, @coachjuniper, @ucirvine, @ucirvinealumni
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