Released by Chris Ruiz - Long Beach City College Sports Information Specialist, (562) 938-4243

December 9, 2002

To: Sports Desk
Contact: Chris Ruiz, LBCC Sports Information Specialist

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women's Soccer: State champions' Jents, DeAlejandro receive national honors

Just one day after Long Beach City College won its third straight California Community College championship, the Vikings' sophomore forward Kim Jents has been named the 2002 National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA)/adidas Women's Junior College Player of the Year.

Jents earned first-team NSCAA/adidas All-American honors for the second straight season and was joined by freshman goal keeper Ashley DeAlejandro on the All-American second team.

Jents (Canyon HS) broke her own school-record this year by scoring her 34th goal of the season in yesterday's 2-1 state championship win over Cypress College. Jents, LBCC's all-time leading goal scorer and points leader, closes her two-year career with 67 goals with 35 assists for 170 points. Earlier this season, she was named South Coast Conference Player of the Year.

"Jents is an unbelievable player that will be greatly missed," said LBCC head coach Mauricio Ingrassia. "We had a very young and inexperienced team this year and Kim stepped up and led them. She's an amazing talent and I know she will succeed at the next level."

Jents is the second player in LBCC history to be named national player of the year. Following the 2000 season, former Viking Kim Bannister earned the honor. Bannister recently completed her senior season at Cal State Fullerton.

DeAlejandro had one of the finest seasons in goal for LBCC in school history this year. Just yesterday, she made 11 saves in the state title game and was named state tournament most valuable player. DeAlejandro (Los Alamitos HS) posted 17 shutouts this season and allowed a school-record low of eight goals. She was also named first-team All-South Coast Conference in goal for the Vikings.

"Ashley was phenomenal in goal yesterday and all season," Ingrassia said. "She's one of the toughest players I've ever coached and came up big in clutch situations. She made some amazing saves this season and we look forward to her leading the team next year."

Long Beach closed the 2002 season with its first undefeated record in school history at 24-0-1. The Vikings entered the postseason ranked No. 2 in the nation and earlier in the year held the top honor. The NSCAA votes on its national champion this week, which according to Ingrassia, the Vikings have a shot at being named.

Sophomore forward Kim Jents

Freshman goal keeper Ashley DeAlejandro