'Necks making move toward postseason
Tom Mavraganis
Issue date: 10/28/09 Section: Sports
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The 'Necks defeated Centenary 2-1 in double overtime and Oral Roberts 1-0 in double overtime as well.
"It's always good to be playing your best at the end of the season as opposed to the beginning," said head coach Tony Guinn. "I think we're playing our best soccer right now."
With those two conference victories, the 'Necks moved from eighth to fifth place in the conference standings.
"Effort, this team all year long regardless of wins or loses they never give up trying," Guinn said. "They always play inspired. They played really inspired. They never gave up. They never stopped trying. We feel good about ourselves. Right now we have good team morale."
This weekend Western hosts its final two conference matches of the season. The first game is slated for Friday at 3:30 p.m. against IPFW (4-10-1, 3-4). The second game will begin Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. against Oakland (7-7-1, 4-2-1).
"It's a big game for us," Guinn said. "We're trying to do what we can to get as many people to come out and support the kids who represent their school and play for them."
This weekend's conference matches will determine if the 'Necks may compete in The Summit League Tournament, which starts next weekend in Brookings, S.D.
"If we win Friday there's a good chance it will come down between us and Oakland on Sunday," Guinn said. "The winner of that will be in the conference championship."
During last weekend's matches, the 'Necks got excellent play out of freshman goalkeeper Laura Atkinson, who had six saves against Centenary and eight saves in the shut-out over Oral Roberts.
"We have a great goalkeeping coach and that's who she (Atkinson) owes her credit to," Guinn said. "His name is Jason Cherry, he's a really good coach and I told her (Atkinson) that's who she needs to say thanks to."
Atkinson was named The Summit League Defensive Player of the Week for her play last week. Atkinson also accomplished her first career shut-out when the 'Necks defeated Oral Roberts 1-0.
Sophomore Demi Vance arrives back for the 'Necks after briefly leaving the team to represent Northern Ireland in the World Cup qualifiers.
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