Madalyn Schiffel Joins Norwegian Club Avaldsnes IL in the First-tier Toppserien League

Posted On April 23, 2016 by PUSC

San Francisco University Women’s Soccer | 4/2016 Excerpt

2015 was a banner year for the University of San Francisco women’s soccer team – a program-record 13 wins; tied for second, the best conference finish in team history; the first-ever wins over Santa Clara and BYU; numerous precedent-setting individual accolades – but the team’s success this past season has also helped open doors for the senior class that helped make it all happen.

Five former Dons have either already embarked on their professional soccer careers or are preparing to soon. Goalkeeper Madalyn Schiffel, defenders Halle Bissin and Sydnie Telson and midfielder Alex Alugas are making the once-in-a-lifetime transition from the Hilltop to locales far and wide in pursuit of the game they love.

Schiffel, a first-team All-WCC selection and USF’s single-season and career leader in wins (13/29) and shutouts (9/23), was the first to start her career at the next level after joining Norwegian club Avaldsnes IL in the first-tier Toppserien league. Schiffel joined the team in mid-February and the regular season, which runs until November, is in its fourth week with the club holding a 2-1 record at the running of this story. Schiffel, one of three keepers on the roster, has played every minute in goal through the first three contests.

Schiffel was drafted by the Washington Spirit in the fourth round of the National Women’s Soccer League Draft back in January, but opted to pursue the opportunity oversees after her agent connected her with the new head coach of Avaldsnes, Colin Bell, who had previously led the Women’s Frankfurt FC to the most recent UEFA Champions League title.

“I am most excited about the possibilities,” said Schiffel of extending her playing career overseas. “There are so many leagues around the world and I am open and excited to play anywhere. This journey has been so beautiful and to be in the position I am today, I do not take for granted. Outside of football, this opportunity has and will continue to provide me with the chance to meet new people and explore different cultures.”

BIO

• Drafted 4th round (34th overall) – Washington Spirit
• 2015 1st Team NSCAA All-West Region
• 2015 1st Team All-WCC
• WCC Player of the Week, Oct. 5, 2015
• 2015 WCC All-Academic Honorable Mention (3.50 GPA)
• 2015 Team USA U-23 participant
• 2014 2nd Team All-WCC
• 2014 Team USA U-20 participant
• 2013 All-WCC Honorable Mention
• 2013 Team USA U-18 participant

2015 (SENIOR): Selected by the Washington Spirit in the 4th round (34th overall) in the 2016 NWSL College Draft…earned first-team NSCAA All-West Region honors…named first-team All-WCC…WCC All-Academic honorable mention (3.50 GPA)…WCC Player of the Week (Oct. 5)…ranked No. 13 in Top Drawer Soccer’s top-20 WCC players following the 2015 season…started all 20 matches in goal…played all but 18 minutes between the pipes…graduates as one of the top goalkeepers in USF women’s soccer history…holds career records in goalkeeper wins (29), shutouts (23) and minutes played in goal (6,514)…holds single-season records in wins (13), shutouts (9) and minutes in goal (1,865)…her 0.72 goals against average was just shy of the program single-season record (0.69, Amy Voiland, 1996)…it set a new team record…ranked fourth in the WCC in goals against average (0.72)…her nine solo shutouts were tied for the second-most in the conference…shared one shutout with Makalya Presgrave in a 4-0 win over Denver (Sept. 4)…helped USF tie the team record with 10 shutouts overall… USF’s 10 shutouts tied for second in the conference…registered 83 saves overall…tied a career-best with six saves in four different contests: at Oregon (Aug. 28), at Oregon State (Aug. 30), vs. Pepperdine (Oct. 9), vs. Pacific (Oct. 9)…boasted an .847 save percentage, which ranked third in the WCC…helped the Dons’ defense rank third in the WCC in goals allowed (15) and goals against average (0.72)…named to the preseason All-WCC team.

2014 (JUNIOR): Remained a solid force between the posts for the Dons… played in all 20 games with 18 starts… recorded five solo shutouts on the season and tied Amy Voiland (1994-98) for the most solo shutouts in team history… picked up a 1-0 shutout at Boston (Sept. 7)… saved a season-high seven shots twice… named to the All-WCC Second Team.

2013 (SOPHOMORE): Was one of the best goalkeepers in the country… recorded six shutouts, tied for fourth in the West Coast Conference… allowed one goal or fewer in 16 of the Dons’ 20 games… helped Dons earn a 1-0 victory over Kansas (Sept. 15)… made 87 saves on the season… played every minute in goal for USF… named All-West Coast Conference Team honorable mention.

2012 (FRESHMAN): Started 10 games … season was cut short due to injury in late September … tallied 62 saves and three shutouts on the year … posted a goals against average of 1.12 and a save percentage of .838 (second in the WCC) … led the Dons to four wins as keeper.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: A highly decorated club player … spent eight seasons competing for Placer United under the direction of Gene DuChateau … spent last three seasons as team captain … served as the last line of defense on a club that captured the 2010 Nor Cal Cup and Placer Cup Championships … team posted a 2010 semifinal berth in the 2010 Surf Cup and 2011 runner-up showings in the Winter Nor Cal League and the Placer Cup … helped Placer United to a 53-29-27 record while posting a 0.8 GAA with 48 shutouts since the start of the 2010 season.

USF RECORDS:

SINGLE SEASON

• Most goalkeeper wins – 13
• Most goalkeeper shutouts – 9
• Most minutes played in goal – 1,865

CAREER

• Most goalkeeper wins – 29
• Most goalkeeper shutouts – 23
• Most minutes played in goal – 6,514