Coach Warren Lipka quotes from Sept. 5 Press Conference
Opening statement…
?This season is not starting exactly where we want it. But, I think we?re on the right path to where we want to go. I think if you talk to any coach whatever sport they play, you have a puzzle in front of you in preseason. You sit and try to put the puzzle together. Some pieces are bigger than others and some fit better than others. I think we have half of this puzzle complete and we are looking to finish the puzzle in the next few weeks.?
On the 20-game season…
?We opted to have 20 games this season, eliminating the two-game preseason. That is the option you have in soccer and we wanted the longer regular season. That allows us to get another couple more wins and to help with RPI and NCAA qualification.
On the freshmen…
?Things have started out well. Our freshmen Katie Fahey and Giuleana Lopez have had some goals for us, and everybody else is getting to that point.?
On the upcoming weekend…
?We?d like to be 4-0, we?re not but we?re halfway there. I think this weekend is going to be a huge test with Ohio State and Michigan, both Big 10 schools. They are both very competitive. We need a lot of support, and people packed in the Cats? Den which is behind the goal. They need to be as loud as they possibly can, as loud as they would be at Commonwealth Stadium or Rupp Arena. If you ask any coach, the more noise the more confidence builds in your players.?
On if fan support is important for the players…
?Absolutely, when they (my team) go to games, they enjoy going to volleyball or football games and they enjoy giving their support. But, the ultimate setting is going out on Friday night with the crowd behind you and having that excitement. Anytime you can crowd the stands and people are getting crazy and getting the students pumped that is going to motivate a student-athlete.?
On the youth of the team and the recruiting cycle…
?We want to gather our balance with some classes. Our last two classes have been very good. We?ve focused on the backside and the defensive end the past two years. But, we did get these two outstanding attackers this year (Fahey and Lopez) late in the recruiting process. In 07-08 we want to fill the offense. With young players there is a lot of learning and experience to be learned. That is part of it; if it was the professional game we?re going to trade you and go get somebody else. But, it is not?and it?s not our job. Our job is to be patient, work harder and try to get these kids to understand their job and how to get there.?
On experience…
?We came across some tough times in our program. We jumped on the scene; we were ranked in the top 20 and won an SEC Championship. But, then all of the sudden more programs (began) popping up and women?s soccer has probably become the leading sport to grow in the NCAA. That means more recruiters, more people knocking on your door and more people hitting the pavement. That?s what we?ve done the last two years; we?ve hit the pavement harder. I think this year and in the next few years those dividends will pay off. These people are top players, we just have to get out there and teach them the finer points of this level and then they will be successful.?
