Royal Purple

Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: Sports

Emily Gerber [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Callista Hoffstead Freshman defender Elizabeth Orgovan tries to avoid a defender in a 3-2 loss to Principia College two weeks ago. The 'Hawks entered yesterday's WIAC tournament with a 10-7-1 record. Their 4-3-1 conference mark gave them the No. 5 seed.

Coming off a strong third place finish last year in the conference tournament, expectations for the Warhawks women's soccer team this year were high for this season.

During the regular season this year, they did not finish as hoped but can salvage the season in the conference tournament. The tournament started Tuesday when they played UW-Oshkosh in Oshkosh.

The team finished 4-3-1 in conference, earning them the fifth seed in the tournament. Although the team didn't meet the early expectations, players said they were still pleased with how the season went.

"I feel as if we did well during the conference regular season," junior Emily Gerber said. "I feel that we could have done better than how we did but we can redeem ourselves in the conference tournament."

Gerber said there are several keys for a turnaround in the conference tournament that could lead them to the championship.

"I feel as if we can improve on 50/50 balls, as well as winning the second ball," Gerber said. "Not only this, but we need to pick up our communication and play the full 90 minutes for us to be successful."

Senior captain Stephanie DesJardins said motivation is important as the team enters the tournament.

"We need to stop talking about what we need to do, because we know what it is, and start doing it," DesJardins said. "We have the skills, talent, and teamwork we need to be successful."

The 'Hawks came close to beating second seeded UW-Eau Claire earlier this year, which could give them the poise to finish strong in the tournament.

"I am confident we can beat anyone in the conference," DesJardins said. "It just depends on whether every one of us comes ready to play."

Gerber said she shares the same confidence as DesJardins showed.

"I feel very confident about our chances in the tournament," Gerber said. "We feel that we should have finished on top in some of our losses but that is the past and we have moved on and are determined to redeem ourselves."

So far, this season has been highlighted by the record breaking performances by senior Becky Cera and Gerber with Cera breaking the single-season assists record and Gerber breaking the scoring record.

Another highlight could be added to the year with a first place finish in the conference tournament and a birth into the NCAA tournament.

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