If momentum can be described as a wave, then the Ohio women’s soccer team is surfing into this weekend’s contests with Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.
Following last week’s victories over Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan, the ’Cats (4-5, 2-0 MAC) have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Mid-American Conference. Goalkeeper Dominique Wright said she felt that those wins have enthused the squad.
“The energy has spilled into practices,” she said. “We’re working a lot harder and we’re fighting a lot more. There’s more tenacity on the field.”
Ohio coach Stacy Strauss agreed that the extra motivation has proven helpful.
“I thought it was especially timely, given some of the struggles we had,” she said. “More than anything it was a sense of relief.”
Although the Bobcats are riding high, they’re sure to be cautious as they head into another two games this weekend.
“I think it’s easy to get really confident and cocky when you come off a big weekend,” forward Amy Lower said. “But I think we’re really good at coming to practice and not being complacent. We have to do it every weekend.”
Focus is something the Bobcats will need as they continue their MAC schedule, against Northern Illinois (1-6-2, 0-2 MAC) today and Western Michigan (1-8-1, 0-2 MAC) on Sunday. Strauss insists the team needs to stay on task, despite their opponents’ sub-par records.
“I think every game in the conference, especially this early, is important and crucial,” she said.
The Huskies will be led by forward Karen Enockson, whose five goals and one assist have made her Northern Illinois’ primary weapon on the pitch. Western Michigan will be counting on forward Thalia Playford, the Broncos’ leading scorer, to outmuscle the ’Cats.
Ohio’s leading scorer, Lower, was named MAC Women’s Soccer Player of the Week this week for her two assists and one goal in the past weekend’s action. Regardless of the honor, she said the award does little to help the team this weekend.
“It helps me know I can do it if I put my mind to it,” she said, “but it’s kind of over and done with. We just have to move on and work on this weekend.”
Today also marks the first home game for the Bobcats in two weeks. Despite the wear and tear that comes with life on the road, Wright said she believes the team remains focused on the task at hand.
“We really want to get back to work,” she said. “I know a lot of the girls are tired but we just want to use our energy to win some games.”
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