Bryan Cole / The Collegian
Bulldogs end regular season with three straight conference home games before WAC Tourney
The women̢۪s soccer team has kicked it into another gear over the last few weeks by posting a 4-1-2 record in its last seven games, improving the Bulldogs record to 6-8-2 overall (2-1-1 WAC). However, the team dropped a crucial game last weekend to first-place Utah State, 1-0.
“Utah State’s a quality team, but we really needed a result against them,â€Â said coach Steve Springthorpe. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t the result we were looking for.â€Â
The Bulldogs hope to win the WAC took a hit, but they do find themselves second in the conference entering today̢۪s game against Boise State. Though, the Broncos are close behind in third.
In addition, the top two teams in the conference going into the WAC Tournament will receive byes for the first round of play. Springthorpe recognizes the importance of this weekend.
“It’s a big game, and Boise is a good team,â€Â Springthorpe said. “They’re in the same position as us trying to establish positioning atop the WAC.â€Â
Bryan Cole / The Collegian
The Bulldogs have just three games left before the WAC tournament begins on Nov. 6. Springthorpe knows these next few games are must-win games if they̢۪re going to keep pace with the Aggies.
“Winning the WAC is out of our hands now,â€Â Springthorpe said. “We need to win out and make sure we at least grab a top-two seed.â€Â
A major factor for the turn around in the season for the Bulldogs has been the defensive play. In four conference games, the Bulldogs have only surrendered a single goal.
Goalie Kaitlyn Revel believes there is a different feeling to the team now rather than early on in the season.
“We finally got our confidence back and we’ve all stepped up our play,â€Â Revel said.
Revel has been outstanding over the last couple weeks and the WAC has rewarded Revel with back-to-back Defensive Player of the Week honors (fourth career).
“It’s a great honor, but I wouldn’t be receiving these awards without the 10 girls in front of me,â€Â Revel said.
Although, the Bulldogs have been short of offense, they have found some consistency late in the season and all remaining conference games are at home for the Bulldogs.
“It’s great to be back home for the next couple weekends,â€Â Springthorpe said. “It could be better, but we’ve certainly been more consistent lately.â€Â
Revel feels the team has hit its stride and knows what its capable of with the conference tournament right around the corner.
“The Utah State loss was a big blow, but we have to move on,â€Â Revel said. “If we are unable to win the WAC, we know we could still win the WAC Tournament to get an NCAA Tournament bid.â€Â
Springthorpe said the loss to the Aggies showed him a lot about his team and the conference.
“We know we could play with anyone in the conference, but we do have a few tough games ahead that we need to focus on first,â€Â Springthorpe said.
The Bulldogs will look to continue the strong play tonight at Bulldog Stadium against Boise State at 7 p.m.
Sunday, the team finishes its homestand against Idaho at noon.