During the summer of 2000, three of ISU’s female soccer players made their mark on the national level. The summer streak started in July when Katie Antongiovanni, Lindsey Lees and Angie Portincaso won the national under-19 club title for the Colorado Rush soccer team at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The team is made up of college athletes from around the country, including schools like the University of Minnesota, Duke and Harvard. While the three soccer teammates had played for the Colorado Rush squad before, some had more experience than others. “I was on it starting from 1996 with the Fury, and then they merged into Rush,” said Lees. “I tried out my senior year [in high school] and then I got to know Katie [Antongiovanni] and told her about it,” Portinacaso said. “I never won any kind of championship growing up so being part of this was very exciting,” Antongiovanni said. Many of the girls have been playing together and against each other since their childhood days. “It’s always great to meet up with the same faces all the time,” says Lees. “We love playing the game.” Lees said the team was also a great way to see old friends. “It was a lot of fun being around everyone since we’re really close not only off but on the field as well,” she said. The trio said they also enjoyed playing in the Disney sports complex. “The facilities were really nice,” Portincaso said. “It was great just knowing that everything was set up for you and you had to have a field pass or you couldn’t get in.” ISU soccer Coach Stephanie Gabbert said the girls had a strenuous schedule with the Colorado Rush. “What they have to do is win their state cup out of Colorado,” she said. “Then go to a week long regional championship in June in Pleasnanton, Calif. where they play other state winners, four regions, and then go on to the Final Four.” The Colorado Rush went 3-0 in their round robin play before coming away with a 4-2 victory over the two-time National Champion Northport/Cow Harbor Piranha soccer team from New York. Antongiovanni and Portincaso contributed with three out of the four team goals. “Everytime we scored we would have an out of the ordinary celebration on the field. We would all come together and then just fall [to the ground],” said Lees. Going into the second half the score was 1-0, then Antongiovanni fired two goals in the 52nd and the 63rd minute. While the Piranha answered with two goals, Portincaso responded in the 92nd minute with a 25-yard free kick that secured the Rush’s victory. After the Rush victory, Antongiovanni received the Adidas Golden Boot Award, presented to the leading scorer in each of the combined group tournaments. Antongiovanni finished the tournament with five goals. “In a four game tournament to score five goals is definitely a high accomplishment in itself,” Gabbert said. “[Staff members] weren’t able to go because we were running a camp,” she said. “So we were checking the net everyday because the scores were posted frequently, and they were calling us and giving us updates.” When the girls were not playing in the round robin tournament they spent their free time going to some of Florida’s attractions such as: Pleasure Island, MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom and dance clubs. “We all stayed in a house since it was cheaper than renting hotel rooms, and the parents would cook us meals,” Lees said. “It was just like being back home.” “Their confidence levels are very high, it’s something that helps build their mentality on the soccer field,” Gabbert said. “To play the best teams and to come out No. 1 gives them momentum going into the season.” “It was a very educational summer since all we did was play soccer,” Lees said. All three agreed that while there was a high amount of pressure involved, it helped prepare them to handle it this season. Even though their name is around the country the teammate’s dream is the same as when it was created. “Everyone wants to play in the Nationals,” Portincaso said. “Or the new pro-league that’s starting up this coming April,” Antongiovanni also said. The girls have been working hard for their upcoming season which starts Sunday, Aug. 27, against the University of Alabama-Birmingham. All three agree that they are both “anxious and excited” for opening day and said they are going into the season with the words of ISU Assistant Soccer Coach Doug Braken. “We need to do whatever it takes to get it done,” they said. During the summer of 2000, three of ISU’s female soccer players made their mark on the national level. The summer streak started in July when Katie Antongiovanni, Lindsey Lees and Angie Portincaso won the national under-19 club title for the Colorado Rush soccer team at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The team is made up of college athletes from around the country, including schools like the University of Minnesota, Duke and Harvard. While the three soccer teammates had played for the Colorado Rush squad before, some had more experience than others. “I was on it starting from 1996 with the Fury, and then they merged into Rush,” said Lees. “I tried out my senior year [in high school] and then I got to know Katie [Antongiovanni] and told her about it,” Portinacaso said. “I never won any kind of championship growing up so being part of this was very exciting,” Antongiovanni said. Many of the girls have been playing together and against each other since their childhood days. “It’s always great to meet up with the same faces all the time,” says Lees. “We love playing the game.” Lees said the team was also a great way to see old friends. “It was a lot of fun being around everyone since we’re really close not only off but on the field as well,” she said. The trio said they also enjoyed playing in the Disney sports complex. “The facilities were really nice,” Portincaso said. “It was great just knowing that everything was set up for you and you had to have a field pass or you couldn’t get in.” ISU soccer Coach Stephanie Gabbert said the girls had a strenuous schedule with the Colorado Rush. “What they have to do is win their state cup out of Colorado,” she said. “Then go to a week long regional championship in June in Pleasnanton, Calif. where they play other state winners, four regions, and then go on to the Final Four.” The Colorado Rush went 3-0 in their round robin play before coming away with a 4-2 victory over the two-time National Champion Northport/Cow Harbor Piranha soccer team from New York. Antongiovanni and Portincaso contributed with three out of the four team goals. “Everytime we scored we would have an out of the ordinary celebration on the field. We would all come together and then just fall [to the ground],” said Lees. Going into the second half the score was 1-0, then Antongiovanni fired two goals in the 52nd and the 63rd minute. While the Piranha answered with two goals, Portincaso responded in the 92nd minute with a 25-yard free kick that secured the Rush’s victory. After the Rush victory, Antongiovanni received the Adidas Golden Boot Award, presented to the leading scorer in each of the combined group tournaments. Antongiovanni finished the tournament with five goals. “In a four game tournament to score five goals is definitely a high accomplishment in itself,” Gabbert said. “[Staff members] weren’t able to go because we were running a camp,” she said. “So we were checking the net everyday because the scores were posted frequently, and they were calling us and giving us updates.” When the girls were not playing in the round robin tournament they spent their free time going to some of Florida’s attractions such as: Pleasure Island, MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom and dance clubs. “We all stayed in a house since it was cheaper than renting hotel rooms, and the parents would cook us meals,” Lees said. “It was just like being back home.” “Their confidence levels are very high, it’s something that helps build their mentality on the soccer field,” Gabbert said. “To play the best teams and to come out No. 1 gives them momentum going into the season.” “It was a very educational summer since all we did was play soccer,” Lees said. All three agreed that while there was a high amount of pressure involved, it helped prepare them to handle it this season. Even though their name is around the country the teammate’s dream is the same as when it was created. “Everyone wants to play in the Nationals,” Portincaso said. “Or the new pro-league that’s starting up this coming April,” Antongiovanni also said. The girls have been working hard for their upcoming season which starts Sunday, Aug. 27, against the University of Alabama-Birmingham. All three agree that they are both “anxious and excited” for opening day and said they are going into the season with the words of ISU Assistant Soccer Coach Doug Braken. “We need to do whatever it takes to get it done,” they said.