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Women’s Soccer faces two tough SEC opponents this weekend 10/7/2004
Women’s Soccer faces two tough SEC opponents this weekend 10-7-04 The Vanderbilt women’s soccer team is ready to take on the Gamecocks from South Carolina on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. Vanderbilt has really stepped up their play in their last few games, defeating Alabama 1-0 and tying #20 Auburn 1-1. The Commodores have seen excellent play from sophomore goalkeeper Tyler Griffin. Griffin made truly heroic saves against both Auburn and Alabama totaling 12 for both games. Also playing well is junior Meghan Habig. Habig has registered three goals and one assist in the Commodores last three games alone. Two of those goals were scored against LSU including one game-winner in double overtime. The Commodores will be playing their third and fourth consecutive game at home. On last Friday night’s game versus Auburn, the attendance records were broken with over 600 fans in attendance. “This is a big weekend of soccer for our team. We are in the heart of the SEC season right now, and every game counts,” said Head Coach Ronnie Coveleskie Hill. “Playing at home for two consecutive weeks has been very motivating for us as a team. The atmosphere in the stadium this weekend was energizing for our team. And we are hopeful that more and more fans will come out and join us for soccer action this weekend. Both games promise to be very exciting and competitive.” Vanderbilt also faces #8 Florida on Sunday, looking to have a great weekend of SEC play at home. South Carolina is winless in the SEC. They have tied against Georgia and lost to Tennessee (3-1), Alabama (4-2) and Auburn (1-0). The gamecocks are a very young team with 14 freshman and 5 sophomores. The team is led by seniors Ashley Gosnell (forward), Sarah Lentz (defense) and Ashley Williams (forward). Florida has a season record of 8-3-1. The Gators travel to Nashville after facing Kentucky on Friday, October 8. Led by nine-year Head Coach Becky Burleigh, Florida has had much recent success. Just last season, the Gators made it to the NCAA Quarterfinals. Florida has struggled in the start of their SEC regular season games, losing two close games to Tennessee and Auburn. “Both South Carolina and Florida are extremely talented teams, said Hill. “It is imperative that as a team, we begin to put together a full weekend of soccer. Although I am pleased with the results of our last 5 matches (3-1-1). I still believe our best soccer is yet to come for us. We have had a hard fought victory where we have not played our best soccer as well as a disappointing loss when we felt as if we played very well. Now it is time for us to play great soccer and compete with a fury. I firmly believe we have the ability and talent to do both.” Games this weekend take place on Friday, October 8th and Sunday, October 10th. The Friday game versus South Carolina starts at 7:00 p.m. and the Sunday game versus Florida starts at 1:00 p.m. |
