Women’s soccer team set to open conference with Utah trip By Nicole Mehta, Staff WriterThroughout the season, athletes look forward to conference games.Those are the games that matter, the ones that determine postseasoneligibility.
The San Diego State women’s soccer team has been looking forwardto its conference games and for a good reason. After completing atough non-conference schedule, the Aztecs feel they are ready tocompete with Mountain West Conference opponents. This confidence isnecessary, especially since they are starting their conference gameson the road against the MWC’s top two teams – BYU and Utah- this weekend.
“Playing BYU and Utah at their place is very difficult,” headcoach Michael Giuliano said. “Everything from altitude to the fans isgoing to make a difference.”
SDSU will face the BYU Cougars Thursday night. The Cougars havetwo power scorers in junior forward Jamie Rendich and sophomoreforward Annie Zwahlen. BYU is a deep team with quality players atevery position. According to Giuliano, it is a team that does notstop working throughout the entire game. The Aztecs have been doingwell defensively, incorporating Giuliano’s “full-court press” styleof play. However, they will have to step up offensively in order tocompete with the Cougars.
Utah will pose an even bigger threat to SDSU. Coming off a 2-1upset victory against UCLA, the Utes have all the momentum they needgoing into conference play. Freshman forward Chelsea Card andsophomore defender Melissa Wayman both were named MWC Players of theWeek. Card is the Utes’ leading scorer with four goals so far thisseason. Utah has a record of 7-3-0, but according to Giuliano, it canbe somewhat inconsistent with its dominance.
“They have some unusual results,” Giuliano said. “They got a winover UCLA, but barely beat Utah State. I don’t know what to think. Iftheir ‘A’ game shows up, it’s going to be tough.”
The Aztecs have to find a way to score this weekend. They havebeen shut out in the last three games – the longest streak inthe team’s history. This week, practice has been focused on the last20 yards of the field, trying to turn good shots into goals. The teamhas suffered through seven shutouts this season alone, pushing it toa record of 3-6-3.
Ironically, the less than stellar record is a source of motivationfor the team. It works hard on the defensive end, and gets some goodlooks at the goal. All it has to do is execute and the team knowsthat getting the ball in the net is its only obstacle.
“We know we can play with anyone,” junior forward Alexis Solovijsaid. “The tough schedule we played is only going to help us. We havea determination to earn the respect we deserve, and that is the bestway to go into conference.”
