Guinn prepares for home openers
Mike Vaught
Issue date: 9/11/09 Section: Sports
Head coach Tony Guinn and the Western Illinois women's soccer team will host their first match of the season this weekend.
Guinn has led Western to a remarkable 14-1-1 record at home during his first two years as coach of the Leathernecks.
Last weekend the 'Necks (1-1) got their first win of the season, beating Southern Indiana 2-0.
Sophomore Demi Vance, a native of Northern Ireland, scored the go ahead goal on a penalty kick in the 41st minute.
"Both the Irish players are coming out of their shell now" Guinn said. "It seems to me to be working out really well, and I think you can mix Irish people in anywhere and they get along with most people."
The match against Northern Iowa will be the 'Necks home opener, and John Mackenzie Alumni Field seems to bring out the best in the team.
"I think that's always motivating, and the players seem to like playing at MacKenzie Field," Guinn said. "The facility is 120 yards long by 80 yards wide, so it's a very large field compared to most fields, so I think that gives us a home field advantage."
The 'Necks have played their style of soccer led by captains Keeley Murray, Jenny Green, Caitlin Barrett and Amanda Wright.
"They're veterans and that's what you get from veteran players," Guinn said. "Everyone's making just a great contribution from the first player on the field to the last player on the field, whether they play or not."
The 'Necks maintain a fast-paced offense that has been able to create a lot of scoring chances.
"We're quick right now, and I think in the majority of the games we've had great scoring opportunities," Guinn said. "You just keep plugging and capitalizing on those opportunities."
Guinn knows that the 'Necks have the possibility for a blow-out match any day.
"A couple games in the season you have blow-out games where you can't do anything wrong," Guinn said. "We're going to score goals in abundance when that happens."
On Sunday, the 'Necks match up against an Iowa State team that won three games in a row after starting the season with two straight ties.
"I think we'll have a good contest on Friday and on Sunday with Northern Iowa and Iowa State," Guinn said. "Both (have) established women's soccer programs."
The 'Necks play Northern Iowa at 4 p.m. on Friday and Iowa State at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Guinn has led Western to a remarkable 14-1-1 record at home during his first two years as coach of the Leathernecks.
Last weekend the 'Necks (1-1) got their first win of the season, beating Southern Indiana 2-0.
Sophomore Demi Vance, a native of Northern Ireland, scored the go ahead goal on a penalty kick in the 41st minute.
"Both the Irish players are coming out of their shell now" Guinn said. "It seems to me to be working out really well, and I think you can mix Irish people in anywhere and they get along with most people."
The match against Northern Iowa will be the 'Necks home opener, and John Mackenzie Alumni Field seems to bring out the best in the team.
"I think that's always motivating, and the players seem to like playing at MacKenzie Field," Guinn said. "The facility is 120 yards long by 80 yards wide, so it's a very large field compared to most fields, so I think that gives us a home field advantage."
The 'Necks have played their style of soccer led by captains Keeley Murray, Jenny Green, Caitlin Barrett and Amanda Wright.
"They're veterans and that's what you get from veteran players," Guinn said. "Everyone's making just a great contribution from the first player on the field to the last player on the field, whether they play or not."
The 'Necks maintain a fast-paced offense that has been able to create a lot of scoring chances.
"We're quick right now, and I think in the majority of the games we've had great scoring opportunities," Guinn said. "You just keep plugging and capitalizing on those opportunities."
Guinn knows that the 'Necks have the possibility for a blow-out match any day.
"A couple games in the season you have blow-out games where you can't do anything wrong," Guinn said. "We're going to score goals in abundance when that happens."
On Sunday, the 'Necks match up against an Iowa State team that won three games in a row after starting the season with two straight ties.
"I think we'll have a good contest on Friday and on Sunday with Northern Iowa and Iowa State," Guinn said. "Both (have) established women's soccer programs."
The 'Necks play Northern Iowa at 4 p.m. on Friday and Iowa State at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
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