• 2009 Gonzaga Nike Soccer Classic

• Cummlative Statistics 

• Summer Camp Info

• Soccer Times Top 25 Poll

• NSCAA Top 25 Poll

• U.S. Soccer Federation

Nov. 6, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

BIG HOME WEEKEND ON TAP: While every weekend is big during the home stretch, this weekend has paramount implications for Gonzaga University's post-season hopes. West Coast Conference leader University of San Diego visits Gonzaga Soccer Field Friday with Loyola Marymount University in town Sunday as the Bulldogs conclude their home campaign. Action both days starts at 1 p.m. Gonzaga took a big step to get back into the WCC chase with a Bay Area sweep last weekend over Santa Clara University and the University of San Francisco. Gonzaga (4-4-1 for 13 points) has closed to within three points of second-place USF (5-3-1, 16 points) and is only five points behind USD (6-2-0, 18 points).

BULLDOGS FEELING THE LOVE: Sophomore Nick Love was the man of the weekend for Gonzaga University last weekend, and his efforts earned him West Coast Conference Player of the Week accolades. His goal Friday at Santa Clara University tied the match at 1-1, and his tally at 102:43 Sunday at the University of San Francisco was the match winner in the 3-2 overtime win. Since returning to action after suffering a broken thumb and missing a match, he has scored a goal in each of the three matches and is now third in scoring with three goals and an assist for seven points.

BOLAND CALIFORNIA DREAMIN': Not even freshman defender Mitch Boland could probably have dreamt his return to his home state of California would produce the results it did last weekend. The native of Villa Park, Calif., made his first career goal a memorable one, his diving header at 87:12 breaking a 1-1 tie and giving the Bulldogs the victory last Friday at Santa Clara University. He followed that with nearly a carbon copy goal Sunday at the University of San Francisco to knot the score 1-1 in a match the Bulldogs eventually won 3-2 in overtime.

SCORING CHANGE: It was initially reported that Tye Perdido got the assist on Nick Love's goal last Friday at Santa Clara University, but the assist was later changed to Nick Barclay. With his assist Sunday at the University of San Francisco Barclay now has three helpers this season.

SENIOR FAREWELL: Three Gonzaga University seniors will put on the home jersey for the last time Sunday against Loyola Marymount University. Midfielder Nick Heinrichs of Lake Oswego, Ore.; midfielder Conor Baranski of Hope, Idaho, and midfielder Bryan Mullaney of Portland, Ore., will say farewell. Baranski has started 32 of his 48 career appearances to date, Heinrichs 59 of 68 and Mullaney 30 of 63. The trio will be honored in pre-match ceremonies.

BEST RECORD: Gonzaga University has the best overall record in the West Coast Conference at 7-7-2 and the Bulldogs are still thinking NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs - with a little help - can still win the WCC regular-season title and earn the automatic berth. In its simplest form, the University of San Diego would have to go 1-3 down the stretch and the University of San Francisco 1-2 - with its win being over USD - and Gonzaga would have to win its remaining three matches to claim the title outright. That would leave the Bulldogs with 22 points, USD with 21 and USF with 19 - assuming USD and USF don't play any ties which would help Gonzaga's cause - along the way. Naturally, there are plenty more scenarios way too in-depth to go into here. If the Bulldogs can run the table and finish the season 10-7-2 and not win the WCC title, Gonzaga would still be in line for an at-large berth. Remember, the Bulldogs earned an at-large berth last season with a 9-6-4 regular-season record.

BULLDOGS VS. TOREROS: Gonzaga University was blanked 3-0 at the University of San Diego in the first meeting this season, extending the Toreros' winning streak over the Bulldogs to five. Gonzaga's last win in the series was 3-2 in 2005, which is also its last win in San Diego. The Toreros lead the overall series 15-4-1.

BULLDOGS VS. LIONS: Gonzaga University will be trying to avenge its 2-1 overtime loss at Loyola Marymount University in this year's first meeting. Gonzaga University has the most wins over Loyola Marymount University than any other West Coast Conference school, the Bulldogs holding an 11-9-1 edge in the series. LMU has won eight of the last 11 meetings.

GAMETRACKER, VIDEO AVAILABLE: Gametracker, a function of web site provider CBS Collegesports, and live video will be available for all Gonzaga University home matches and select Bulldog road contests this season. To follow Gonzaga University via Gametracker log on to http://wwww.gozags.com and go the Gametracker link in the schedule portion of the site. The video is subscription based off the All-Access portion of the website.

THE THORARINSSON TALE OF THE TAPE: Gonzaga University head coach Einar Thorarinsson is 117-109-22 in his 14th season with the Bulldogs. His overall record is 236-161-35 that includes nine seasons across town at Whitworth College. He picked up his 100th Gonzaga win in 2006 with a 3-0 home win at Saint Mary's College. After going 3-10-2 in his first season of 1995, the Bulldogs have had winning seasons in six of the last 10 seasons under Thorarinsson. His teams led the West Coast Conference in wins with a 14-4-0 record in 1997 and 12-4-2 mark in 1998, capturing WCC co-championships in each of those seasons. The Bulldogs were 9-5-2 in 2001, making their inaugural College Cup appearance. In 2005 Gonzaga went to the final match of the season with a chance to win the WCC title. He was accorded his third WCC Coach of the Year honor in 2005 to go with similar honors won in 1996-97 as he was the first coach in Gonzaga history to receive back-to-back WCC Coach of the Year accolades. He is the fourth winningest coach overall in WCC contests with 49 wins and is second among active coaches, Seamus McFadden of the University of San Diego atop both lists with 79 wins.