COC NOTEBOOK: COC'S MARBACH NAMED ALL-AMERICAN.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Kristine Marbach wasn't sure if she should believe what she had just read. But there it was: Marbach was named an All-American, making her the first member of the College of the Canyons women's soccer team to earn such an honor.

``I was really surprised when I got the letter,'' Marbach said. ``I didn't know if it was for real, so I called my coach and asked him, and he said it's true. It's really cool.''

Marbach, a sophomore forward, was named to the second team. She was one of only two players from the Western State Conference to earn All-American status.

Marbach had 22 goals and 22 assists for a school-record 64 points. Her career 25 goals, 27 assists and 77 points are also COC records. She ranked sixth in the state in scoring this past season as she led the Cougars (20-2-2) to their third consecutive WSC South Division championship.

Marbach is scheduled to go to Philadelphia next week to be honored at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention.

``I was really excited when I heard about it,'' Marbach said. ``It's a big honor.''

She hopes the recognition will help her continue her career at a four-year school. Marbach has a recruiting trip to San Francisco State planned for next month but hasn't received much other interest.

--Slide continues: The men's basketball team hoped the start of division play would provide a change. Instead, the Cougars extended their longest losing streak of the season by losing Wednesday's WSC South opener against Glendale 72-58. The loss is COC's fourth in a row.

The Cougars (9-9) made 13 turnovers in the first half, including five in the first five minutes.

The loss against the sub-.500 Vaqueros also extended COC's struggles at home. The Cougars are 1-5 at home this season but have won two tournament championships on the road.

``This season has been up and down,'' COC sophomore guard Dax Grooms said. ``We win two, three in a row, then we lose two, three in a row. It's tough, but hopefully we can get on a run right now with conference starting. We get a fresh start.''

The Cougars are home again Saturday against West Los Angeles as the second half of a doubleheader with the women's team.

--Wake up: The Cougars have another week before classes resume, and some of the men's basketball players can't wait. That's because without any classes, the basketball team is practicing at 9 a.m. instead of its usual afternoon workouts.

``It's tough,'' Grooms said. ``It's so early in the morning. After about the first half an hour, everyone gets warm (and) it's OK. But until then. ... It's always tough to wake up early.''

--Honoring Herrick: At halftime of the Feb. 9 home game against Santa Monica, the Cougars will hold a ceremony commemorating women's basketball coach Greg Herrick's 400th career victory, which he earned last month. Former players and coaches are invited to participate. Information: Harlan Perlman, [phone] ext. 3209.