Arizona women’s soccer is gearing up for its regular-season finale and senior night against rival ASU. While the Wildcats prepare to finish the season on a high note, six seniors are anticipating the feeling of running onto Murphey Field at Mulcahy Soccer Stadium for the final time.
These seniors have contributed to igniting the Arizona soccer program while reeling in multiple academic awards as well.
The six seniors are Hayley Estopare, Alison Gondosch, Kaitlyn Lopez, Alexa Montgomery, Sheaffer Skadsen and Hannah Wong. Here are three of the more decorated Wildcat athletes on the women’s soccer team and their accomplishment over the years.
Don’t miss them in action for the final time Friday at 6 p.m. at Murphey Field and on Pac-12 Networks.
Hayley Estopare (23), defender/midfield
The defensive standout from Bend, Oregon, came to Arizona already decorated in high school awards. Estopare attended Summit High School and was named Oregon Player of the Year in 2011, first-team all-state in 2012 and won the Oregon State Cup Championship every year. She took a back seat on the Wildcats’ roster in 2012 but started to shine during her sophomore season, attempting eight shots with five on goal, including her first career score.
Estopare saw an astounding 1,415 minutes of action in her junior year and started 16 of 21 games. She added two goals and an assist and was a key contributor of the Wildcats’ defense. Through 18 games of action this season, Estopare has career highs with four goals, two assists and 10 shots on goal.
Estopare was given Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention in 2014.
Sheaffer Skadsen (6), defender
Skadsen has been a pivotal piece of the Arizona defense since 2013. The Vancouver, Washington, native was ranked the No. 45 women’s high school soccer player in the country while playing at Skyview High School. She was also nominated for Gatorade Player of the Year twice and played in the Washington State semifinals.
Skadsen played in just nine matches her freshman year at Arizona in 2012 but gave the Wildcats the defensive spark they were looking for in her sophomore campaign. Her junior season provided insurance that she was the impact player Arizona was searching for, as only goalkeeper Gabby Kaufman played more minutes.
Skadsen played and started in 20 of 21 games and led the Wildcats’ defense in 2014. She has provided much of the same this season, playing in all 18 games while being a key contributor to Arizona’s eight shutouts, which are good for fourth in the Pac-12 Conference.
Skadsen was named Pac-12 All-Academic First Team in 2013 and 2014, as well as CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team in 2014.
Hannah Wong (7), forward
The Christchurch, New Zealander has had a longer journey than most college athletes. Wong was a member of the U17 Women’s World Cup team in New Zealand in 2010. She was the team captain and named most valuable player at Marian College in 2011.
Wong went on to be a pivotal piece of the Wildcats’ offense in her freshman season, recording eight shots on goal in 12 total shots. She also contributed three assists in 15 appearances, including five starts.
The New Zealand native took on a more crucial role right away in her sophomore season and started in every game. Wong took 21 shots including 10 on goal as she scored a career-high four goals. She took a step back on a crowded Arizona offense in 2014, but still recorded 16 shots with three on target. The senior has been a team leader this season, playing in all 18 games, scoring one goal, recording 16 shots on goal and assisting three scores.
Wong was Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention in 2013 and 2014.
Follow Dominic Baciocco on Twitter.
