Kicking it into Gear

Abigail Frye

fryea@findlay.edu

Abigail_EF

The University of Findlay Women’s Soccer Team continues to shine in the GMAC. With a conference record of five wins and one tie, they are ready to keep the winning streak alive through the rest of the season. 

 The chemistry on the team this year has been applauded by both players and the coach with Lindsey Ahbe, a junior defender for UF, expressing just how much chemistry matters this year.

“The chemistry this year is the best it’s been awhile since I’ve been here. All of the girls get along on and off the field,” said Ahbe. “I think we have a good mix of younger and older players getting along and there is a respect among everyone on the team.”

Olivia Frank, a sophomore forward for UF, expressed how much this means to a successful season as well.

 “We’re very close knit,” said Frank. “And there’s a lot of trust between players.”

Coach James Walker, UF’s Head Coach of the Women’s Soccer team, agreed with the players, stating, “As a coach, I would say we have a very good togetherness. The players work for each other on the field and have each other’s’ backs, which is really important.”

Comparing this year to last year, which was also successful for the UF Women’s Soccer team, Coach Walker expressed how similar it is yet how different it has been.

“Last year we defended really well, which we’re doing this year,” said Walker. “This year is a better balance between defending and attacking.”

The focus of the team is not just for one or two competitors, but for the whole season in general.

“It’s cliché, but we are really focused on one game at a time, that’s it,” said Walker. “But [the upcoming game] is a big rivalry game, a huge game. We upset them last season and knocked them off in the tournament, so they’ll be coming for us.”

With big games in the season, the team has to get prepared and pumped up before each and every match.

Dani Johnson, an assistant coach for the UF Women’s Soccer team, explained how exactly they do that.

“A key component [to getting ready] is our electric vibe on game day,” said Johnson. “It’s kind of our sanctuary.”

Coach Walker only had good things to say on his team, explaining, “I’m lucky I’ve got good girls, I’m very fortunate and I never tell them [that] often enough.”