UT Women’s Soccer Learns From Mistakes

By Shelby Kuni

                The University of Tampa women’s soccer team took the field against Texas A&M Commerce last Friday morning expecting to add another win to their previously flawless record. 

              Nothing changed. The warm-up was completed the same as it is done every week; we weren’t wearing new uniforms; we prayed together as a team just like we do every time before we take the field. But something was different. We had to confront something we’d avoided all season: we were down a goal at halftime.

                  Although we dominated most of the first half, outshooting the Lions 12-2, we were unable to put the ball in the back of the net, and late in the first half Texas A&M Commerce effectively took advantage of sloppy play and was up 1-0. 

                 “I really wasn’t too concerned (at the half). I thought we were creating a lot of opportunities, and thought we would get ourselves back in the game…I just wanted us to keep playing our game and stay composed on the ball.” said head coach Gerry Lucey.  

              During the 15 minute break we didn’t talk about ‘what went wrong’ or ‘what we should have done differently.’ Although we were behind, there wasn’t one person who was worried that would be the case at the end of the game. We were told to stay calm and take advantage of our opportunities. With 20 minutes left in the game, the Lions were awarded a corner kick. Through miscommunication by our defense, Texas A&M Commerce found themselves up two goals, and we found ourselves slipping away from the game. 10 minutes later we got a lucky break when a ball came loose in the Lions six yard box to reduce the score to 2-1. 

                Our adrenaline was pumping and we had a good feeling about the rest of the game. That is, until a pass from our defense was turned over right outside our 18 yard box and resulted in yet another goal for the Lions. Although we scored again a minute later, it wasn’t enough as the Lions held us off for the remainder of the game.

                 We hadn’t been beaten since the Final Four last year, and losing again brought back all the heartbreaking memories and feelings we had tried so hard to erase.

                “The loss taught us not to play for ourselves, but to play for team. We need to continue to work hard at practice this week and use this loss as a learning experience,” stated senior captain Alicia Wyman. 

                Even though spirits were low, we were due to face rival St. Edwards, the sixth ranked team in the nation, Sunday morning. Last season, we suffered one of our three losses to the Hilltoppers in Texas, and with the Friday loss on our shoulders, we were determined to win. It was a game that would test our strength, teamwork and desire. We fought hard against the resilient Hilltoppers, never letting up and pushing on to win 3-2.

                  We never wanted nor expected to lose the game against Texas A&M Commerce, but maybe a loss this early in the season is a good thing, as it gives us even more motivation to fight harder and keep in mind what our ultimate goal is: a National Championship.