The Ohio State women’s soccer team is heading into the Big Ten tournament tomorrow with positive attitudes and high hopes.
OSU women’s soccer coach Lori Walker said her team has its strong points going into the tournament.
“I think our defense is very strong right now. Throughout the season, we have given up less and less goals,” she said.
The Buckeyes do not have any weaknesses right now, she said.
“I think we set our goals and our goal is to go out there and play as well as we can play. The last few weeks have come to a head and we have played some of the best soccer we have played all year. I think also, when we do that, there isn’t a team in the Big Ten we can’t compete with,” Walker said.
Sophomore forward Lisa Grubb has high hopes for the tournament.
“The expectation is to come out and win,” she said. “Yes we started slower than we would have liked, but we have a lot of momentum going in so I think we will be good.”
Walker said the camaraderie among the team will help the Buckeyes advance in the tournament.
“I think if we are playing well and we are clicking and have good team chemistry. Our goal is to advance to the finals,” Walker said.
“We have been trying to find the back of the net, and we have created goal scoring opportunities in all of our Big Ten games this year. I think, though, we are more consistent than we have been in the past,” Walker said.
Although she wants her team to advance, Walker said every team is there for a reason.
“The hardest thing is that there will be eight very good teams there, and it is not a situation that is predetermined. Any one of the teams has an opportunity to win, and I think our team has as good of a shot as anybody,” she said.
Assistant Coach Greg Miller shares these thoughts with Walker.
“The Big Ten is so competitive and any team has a chance. I think if we can get past Michigan, we will have a good chance,” he said.
Miller is confident about the first tournament game against Michigan, which starts at 10 a.m. tomorrow because of the team’s past experiences with the Wolverines.
“The team is good from a soccer stand point, but we are disappointed in that we expected to have a better year,” Miller said.
Walker said an advantage is all the girls have gotten more opportunities to play throughout the year, giving the Buckeyes more depth than the other teams.
