August 20, 2004

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Palo Alto Online

Making the catch

by Rick Eymer

Marcie Ward hates to take practice shots against her Stanford women's soccer teammate Nicole Barnhart, who tends the goal for the Cardinal and was a semifinalist for the prestigious M.A.C. Hermann Trophy last year.

"She's not the person to shoot at if you're trying to build your confidence," Ward said. "What can I say? She's hands down the best goalkeeper in the country and she continues to get better."

Ward, a fifth-year senior who returns to action after missing a year with a foot injury, is much happier knowing Barnhart is protecting the net on the other side of the field.

Her Cardinal teammates are in full agreement.

"She's not a flashy player, she just gets the job done," senior forward Natalie Sanderson said. "We all think highly of Barney. She's the most quiet, most humble and sweetest person. She has that quiet confidence. She never needs to talk about how good she is."

Stanford opens its season with a home match against Utah next Friday at 7 p.m.

Barnhart, a two-time All-American, once again finds herself on the Hermann Trophy Watch List, which honors the best collegiate player.

"It's definitely an honor and something to think about working hard to achieve," Barnhart said. "But it's just the pre-season and I have to prove it again."

Barnhart has already made her mark in the Stanford history books. She has a career .457 goals against average, which ranks her first on the all-time list. She's third on the career list with 29 shutouts. As a sophomore, she led the nation after allowing juts four goals in 2,047 minutes.

"She is fun to watch," second-year Stanford coach Paul Ratcliffe said. "She's a tremendous goalkeeper with great range. She makes bug saves and covers the box."

Barnhart will again play a big role as the Cardinal look to return to the NCAA tournament this year. Stanford, picked second in the Pac-10 coaches pre-season poll behind UCLA, was knocked out of post-season play in the first round last year and finished 10-9-2.

"It was a tough year for us," Barnhart said. "We had some injuries early and never really recovered. But we have a new team this year and we're all looking ahead. The defense should be solid and everybody is working hard."

Barnhart can't remember how she became a full-time goalkeeper, though growing up and playing with guys, the goal might have been the safest place for her. Boyertown High School in Pennsylvania didn't have a girls' team, so she ended up in the net, although she also played in the field.

"It was a fun experience," Barnhart said. "I didn't play a whole lot but it helped me."

Barnhart, Ward and Sanderson are among the seven seniors at Stanford who want to make a run at the Final Four.

Midfielder/defender Emilee Shim, midfielder Amy Grady, midfielder/forward Katie Wayland and forward Martha West are the other seniors who should provide plenty of leadership.

The junior class of midfielders Hayley Hunt, Lindsey Hunt, Jenny Farenbaugh, Leah Tapscott, defender Megan Aldrete and goalie Elizabeth Barnard also return with plenty of experience and drive.

Sophomores Heidi Herrick, Rachel Buehler, Shari Summers and Melissa Esparza return with game experience, and freshmen Lizzy George, April Wall, Erica Holland and Mimi Yuhas also figure to make significant contributions this year.

"I think it's going to be a great season,: Sanderson said. "We are all very driven. We feel like we've been cheated out of something. We want to win the Pac-10 championship and at least get to the Final Four. Having Marcie back is a great addition."

Ward thought she would be playing last year, despite having her foot in a boot. It wasn't until just before the season opened she learned she would need surgery.

When fall practice began, Ward hadn't played for a year.

"I didn't realize how much I missed playing," Ward said. "I was still there watching last year and I always got antsy because I wanted to be out there. I could walk, but I couldn't run. I did nothing for nine months."

Stanford missed Ward's offense last year. She started 65 straight games dating to her freshman season. In 2002, she recorded an assist or a goal in 16 of 22 matches and already holds the school record with 38 career assists.

"You have to have all the pieces to the puzzle," Ratcliffe said. "We were missing a couple last year. If we had Marcie, we would have been a Final Four team. This year I think you're going to see different players making an impact from game to game. We have a lot of solid role players who will be able to contribute. I think we are a step ahead this year, as we've had a full year and spring together to prepare."

Sanderson called last year a transitional season. This year could be special.

"It's definitely the year," she said. "We have a lot of people who will get a lot of playing time. We all came into the pre-season with an emphasis on fitness. Everyone came in very fit, and we're all on the same level. I don't see a drop off anywhere on the team."

Ward agrees.

"We have a great group of freshmen to go with a lot of great upper classmen," she said. "Most of the hard work is under us. We're fit and ready to go."

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