C-G's Holland uses redshirt year to sharpen skills in goal

As a redshirt freshman goalkeeper last season at Division I South Carolina, Cary-Grove graduate Alex Holland watched plenty of soccer.

In fact, Holland got to watch her women's soccer teammates win the Southeastern Conference and advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.

Though she couldn't get on the field in order to preserve her four seasons of eligiblity, Holland didn't wilt.

"Every training session was definitely a competition,"Holland said. "It was a very positive experience, especially at the goalkeeper position, where there is so much to learn."

While many college athletes are discouraged by redshirting, Holland said the year was critical to her development.

"To have a year to practice and to have four more years of eligibility left, I'd definitely recommend it to anybody," she said.

Holland proved her skills were quite sharp last week when she helped her club team, Eclipse Select of Libertyville, finish second in the U.S. Youth National Soccer Championships in Overland Park, Kan. 

Holland, competing in the final youth tournament of her career, and her Eclipse Select U19 Girls teammates lost, 4-2, in penalty kicks to Lonestar 91 Red of Texas in the national championship match. 

"It was a great event to be a part of," Holland said. "It's the biggest youth soccer tournament you can play in."

Despite the loss, Holland was honored with the Golden Glove Award, which is given to the tournament's top goalkeeper. 

Though she was grateful for the honor, Holland admitted "a national championship would've been better."

Holland, who has been training with her college teammates since returning to campus July 1, said her summer success has shaped her goals for this season.

"There are only two goalies who travel (to road games)," Holland said. "My goal is to be one of those top two. I think it's an attainable goal. If I train hard and play at the top of my game, I think I'll be able to do that."

Sweeney stands out: The Intercollegiate Tennis Association has named Prairie Ridge grad Sam Sweeney of Naperville's North Central College to its D-III All-America team. 

Sweeney, who became the school's first tennis player to make the national tournament when he qualified in the spring as a junior, was the only player from the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin to be chosen for the team.

A total of 54 players were selected, including Sweeney, who advanced to the second round of nationals after winning CCIW singles and doubles titles in the spring.

Millikin honors: Dundee-Crown grad Cory Henry was one of 22 D-III athletes to be chosen this month for the Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholars by the Golf Coaches Association of America.

A junior biology major, Henry won two tournaments for the Big Blue last season. The award honors college golfers for their success on the course and in the classroom. 

Barry Bottino writes a weekly column and a blog about local college athletes for the Northwest Herald. Write to him at BarryOnCampus@hotmail.com and check out his On Campus column every Saturday in the Northwest Herald sports section.