Women's soccer looks to NCAA Final Four

By Gina Massetani

For freshman Julie Johnston, even a tough loss can teach you a lesson.

"I would rather lose now than in the [NCAA] tournament. You can walk away as pissed off as you want. A loss is a loss and you can't take any team lightly."

Women's soccer played Loyola Marymount this past Sunday. After conceding two goals to their opponents, the women picked up the pace to slow down LMU; passes were crisp, opportunities to score were plentiful and the players were working in sync with one another. The team maintained control for the majority of the game and shut down all of LMU's threats in the last quarter of the game.

"We were not prepared to play in the first half," said senior Maxine Goynes. "However, we stepped it up in the second half and whether that resulted in a victory or a loss it will [still] help us in the tournament."

Although they suffered an unexpected loss, the team is taking it in stride and using it as a learning experience as they head into the final stretch of their season.

"On any given day any team can show up and outperform," said Goynes. "I have to give credit to LMU, who were the underdogs of the game."

The team prepared intensely for the current season and, with twelve new players, they had to work hard during preseason to find each individual's strengths and become a cohesive unit.

"Each player brings something completely different," said Johnston. "Even if it has nothing to do with a soccer skill, but maybe just a personality skill. What I think separates us is how close we are as a team and what type of game we bring."

With vigorous workouts and hard double days, the coaches prepared the girls and their bodies for the intensity of this season. Everyone went into the season with the same goals and every player is determined to reach them.

"Our coaches do a great job of letting [us] know how serious this season is and how fast it goes," said Goynes. "They remind us regularly that the details really matter."

"He gives you just enough freedom to be a player," added Johnston.

The team is extremely talented and possesses strong passing, positive attitudes and relentless determination. They are ranked number 14 in the nation, but Johnston noted that there is always something to improve upon and some aspect of the game that deserves additional focus.

"We come out with energy when we are a goal down or something happens," said Johnston. "We need to go out strong because soon it will be the knockout round and we won't have any more chances after that."

Preparing for the Final Four all season, the team is now more focused than ever as the final tournament is single-round elimination. There are no second chances.

"We want to go to the Final Four," said Johnston. "Everyone is big on no regrets. We have had regrets in some games, but now that it is the end of the season everyone is telling each other to leave it all on the field."

Looking ahead the team is even more pumped for their next game. This upcoming weekend the team will travel to Malibu to face Pepperdine University. Although the Waves are the underdogs, Santa Clara plans to go all out.

"Our team will come out with a hunger," said Goynes. "This game will affect our seeding in the tournament. We can't take Pepperdine lightly. With that in mind hopefully we will come out with a greater intensity and prepared for the tournament."

Contact Gina Massetani at (408) 551-1918 or gmassetani@scu.edu.