Guinn's squad takes on exhibition matches
Mike Vaught
Issue date: 8/26/09 Section: Sports
The Leatherneck women's soccer team started its preseason last Saturday with a commanding 12-0 victory versus Culver.
The team had restrictions placed on them, which limited the amount of touches that midfielders and defenders could take and forced them to play a quicker style of game.
"The game against Culver got us the opportunity to get everybody in the game, and we thought everybody performed really well," said head coach Tony Guinn. "Mentally they're really tough, and we have a good group overall."
The squad's second exhibition game ended in a 2-2 tie against SIU Edwardsville on Sunday.
The Leathernecks displayed a tremendous amount of determination and heart to gain the tie.
"I was really impressed with our toughness because we never gave up," Guinn said.
The Cougars took the lead in the 88th minute, but the 'Necks struck back when Jill Kevorkian scored the game-tying goal a mere 24 seconds later to send the game into overtime.
"You could have heard a pin drop in the place, whereas 24 seconds before that there were a lot of happy SIU Edwardsville fans because they thought the game was over," Guinn said. "But we didn't, and we played two overtimes."
Guinn felt good about how his girls are doing thus far and believed that the morale of the team is still the key to their success.
"We scored 14 goals in two games so we want to keep that up, and we only gave up two goals in two games, and that's OK with me," Guinn said. "Just need to keep playing together and get to know each other."
This Friday the 'Necks will finishoff the preseason against Alma College and begin the season on Sunday with a trip to Butler.
"We hope to have another successful weekend," Guinn said. "We have a home game on Friday and hope to get a result against Butler and play at a high level."
These games were just a glimpse into the potential of this Leatherneck team, so students have a lot to look forward to.
"Any fan of Western Illinois athletics should be proud of a team that gets scored on, and comes right back and buries the ball in the back of the net," Guinn said.
"Score lots of goals, and be entertaining," Guinn said. "We're going to play more of an open brand of soccer that's entertaining, that's upbeat."
The Leathernecks play their final preseason game at home this Friday against Alma College at 4 p.m.
The team had restrictions placed on them, which limited the amount of touches that midfielders and defenders could take and forced them to play a quicker style of game.
"The game against Culver got us the opportunity to get everybody in the game, and we thought everybody performed really well," said head coach Tony Guinn. "Mentally they're really tough, and we have a good group overall."
The squad's second exhibition game ended in a 2-2 tie against SIU Edwardsville on Sunday.
The Leathernecks displayed a tremendous amount of determination and heart to gain the tie.
"I was really impressed with our toughness because we never gave up," Guinn said.
The Cougars took the lead in the 88th minute, but the 'Necks struck back when Jill Kevorkian scored the game-tying goal a mere 24 seconds later to send the game into overtime.
"You could have heard a pin drop in the place, whereas 24 seconds before that there were a lot of happy SIU Edwardsville fans because they thought the game was over," Guinn said. "But we didn't, and we played two overtimes."
Guinn felt good about how his girls are doing thus far and believed that the morale of the team is still the key to their success.
"We scored 14 goals in two games so we want to keep that up, and we only gave up two goals in two games, and that's OK with me," Guinn said. "Just need to keep playing together and get to know each other."
This Friday the 'Necks will finishoff the preseason against Alma College and begin the season on Sunday with a trip to Butler.
"We hope to have another successful weekend," Guinn said. "We have a home game on Friday and hope to get a result against Butler and play at a high level."
These games were just a glimpse into the potential of this Leatherneck team, so students have a lot to look forward to.
"Any fan of Western Illinois athletics should be proud of a team that gets scored on, and comes right back and buries the ball in the back of the net," Guinn said.
"Score lots of goals, and be entertaining," Guinn said. "We're going to play more of an open brand of soccer that's entertaining, that's upbeat."
The Leathernecks play their final preseason game at home this Friday against Alma College at 4 p.m.
Be the first to comment on this story