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Roadtrip
October 7, 2008
This was a relatively short week for us. Bidding September goodbye and welcoming October, brought with it the reality that we are fast-approaching the midway point of our season. With eight games behind us and eleven to go, everyone understands how critical each practice week is in preparing for conference play. It is certainly no secret that if you aren't playing at the top of your game in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC), you can drop a few games at the hands of any team. With that said, the shortened practice week was definitely incentive to get the best out of and make the most of our training sessions.
Before we knew it, Thursday was here and we were loading the bus to travel to Alabama. As it was our first trip of the season with the Men's team, things were slightly different. Where the ladies had grown accustomed to having plenty of room on the bus, they now found themselves in close company with their teammates…and male counterparts. Luckily for us, both teams are very supportive of one another and respect what each program is trying to achieve. So, though the trip is one of the longest by bus, it is always a semi-pleasant adventure.
Friday night in Birmingham, we had the opportunity to play on one of the largest fields (120 yds x 80 yds) of the season. Under the lights on a beautifully manicured field, the ladies battled their way to a well earned 1-0 win. The athletes at Birmingham Southern (BSC) certainly moved the ball as well as (if not better) than many of the teams we have played this season. Even during times when the momentum was in our favor, they remained focused and disciplined with their play. Their speed up-top certainly kept our defense on their toes and the leg strength of the midfield kept our goalkeeper ready for the unexpected. Their backs were strong and calm under pressure, which meant our forwards had to work very hard to force the give-away in BSC's defensive third.
With the surface area and the speed/physicality at which BSC played, it took us a moment to adjust before we were finally able to settle into our own style of play. Into the halftime and much of the second half, the scoreboard remained blank. In the 65 th minute, Allison Terry received the ball just outside of BSC's defensive third and attacked on the dribble. She cut one defender, then another, and one more just inside the penalty box. On the inside there's a split second where you're hoping for a little contact in the box and the official to signal the penalty kick. However, just as that thought crosses your mind, the goalkeeper charges out for the 1v1. At this point, everyone is holding their breath. With everything she had left in her, Allison managed to push the ball toward the far post – just beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. For what seems like minutes, the ball rolls and rolls before it is finally stopped by the inside of the net. Everyone sprung to their feet, cheering and clapping – we could hardly believe she had done it. As the final moments began to tick off the clock, BSC got off an absolute rocket that could have tied the game. However, junior goalkeeper - Rosie McAuley was able to tip it over the crossbar, preserving the win.
Saturday was a day of travel and much needed rest before playing Millsaps in Mississippi. The field at Millsaps is notorious for being hot! It is a nice turf field set inside of beautiful football stadium. Yet, at the time the game is played, the sun is usually directly overhead and the turf is on fire. It is definitely a challenge for the ladies, but one we have to work through if we expect to be successful. As expected, when Sunday rolled around the sun hung high overhead and it was hot! Yet, the ladies persevered and defeated Millsaps 4-2. After the game, we prepared for the long bus ride home. Twelve hours of nothing but open road, movies, conversation, and of course plenty of studying.
Next match-ups for Centre
This weekend we continue conference play taking on Rhodes College and Hendrix College. Friday's kick-off is set for 6 pm with Sunday's kick-off being set at 2 pm. Until next time... GO CENTRE!
This week in women's soccer archives:
Tuesday Sept 30, 2008
Tuesday Sept 23, 2008
Tuesday Sept 16, 2008
Tuesday Sept 9, 2008
Tuesday Sept 2, 2008
Tuesday Nov 7, 2007
Tuesday Oct 30, 2007
Tuesday Oct 23, 2007
Tuesday Oct 14, 2007
Tuesday Oct 9, 2007
Tuesday Oct 1, 2007
Tuesday Sept 25, 2007
Tuesday Sept 18, 2007
Tuesday Sept 11, 2007
Tuesday Sept 4, 2007
Tuesday April 24, 2007
Tuesday Jan 16, 2007
Tuesday Oct 31, 2006
Tuesday Oct 24, 2006
Tuesday Oct 17, 2006
Tuesday Oct 11, 2006
Tuesday Oct 3, 2006
Tuesday Sept 26, 2006
Tuesday Sept 19, 2006
Tuesday Sept 12, 2006
Tuesday Sept. 5, 2006
Monday Aug. 28, 2006 |
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