These 'Cats refuse to lose
One-loss soccer continues to dominate with defense
Scott Thompson
Issue date: 10/24/08 Section: Sports
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It was Senior Night at Bobcat Field Wednesday evening, and the GCSU Women's Soccer team defeated the Clayton State University Lakers 6-0.
Click here to view a slideshow of the game.
Seniors Mary Byrne, Kristen Moore, Beth Coughlin and Hayley Ferrell were recognized in a pre-game ceremony, as was redshirt junior Jeni Day. The upperclassmen didn't disappoint those in attendance, leading the Bobcats to another impressive home win. The team recorded its 10th shutout of the season, a new school record, and tied its highest point total of the season with six goals.
The win secures a perfect regular season at home for the Bobcats, now 11-1-3 this season. In addition to earning the first NSCAA and NCAA Regional rankings in program history, the Bobcats have also secured their first national ranking, currently sitting at No. 20. It adds up to the most successful senior class in the program's history, with 38 total wins over the past four seasons. The Bobcats have not lost in over a month; their only loss this season came against UNC Pembroke on September 20 when they fell 1-0.
As in many of the Bobcats' games this season, the defense dominated the match, limiting Clayton State to only two shots during the entire game. After leading 1-0 at halftime, the Bobcats came out strong in the second half, scoring five goals and putting the game out of reach for the Lakers.
Five different players figured in the scoring for the Bobcats, either by goal or assist. Ferrell had another notable game, scoring two goals and recording two assists. Jamie Nevin and Jeni Day each had one goal and one assist, with Nevin's goal being her first of the season.
Currently, the Bobcats are seeded third in the Peach Belt Conference. Each year, the top four teams in the PBC host conference tournament games for those who qualify. Two games remain on the Bobcats' schedule, and both are conference matchups that will determine who plays at home and who travels.
But the PBC Tournament is not on the minds of the coaches or players, at least for now. Instead, the team prefers to focus on each game individually.
"We have two finals left," said Head Coach Juan Pablo Favero. "North Georgia is on the rise and at home. Columbus State is in the driver's seat right now. These are two big remaining games."
"We're taking it one step at a time, every game is a final," stated Hayley Ferrell. "We're following our process, not looking ahead. Focus is day-by-day; it's easy to stay focused when we go game by game."
"You can get too excited, look too far forward and lose focus," agreed Jeni Day. "Each game is a final. We have to play all-out each game. If we do that, we can make it far."
Despite allowing just three goals and going undefeated at Bobcat Field this season, Favero feels his team is comfortable in either environment.
"We've become road warriors this season," he said. "We're comfortable in both environments. I tell this group that we're road warriors who like home cooking."
The road warriors' final two games are indeed away from home, as they travel to Dahlonega to face North Georgia College and State University next Wednesday. The following Tuesday, the Bobcats will challenge Columbus State University, who is unbeaten in conference play this year.
Click here to view a slideshow of the game.
Seniors Mary Byrne, Kristen Moore, Beth Coughlin and Hayley Ferrell were recognized in a pre-game ceremony, as was redshirt junior Jeni Day. The upperclassmen didn't disappoint those in attendance, leading the Bobcats to another impressive home win. The team recorded its 10th shutout of the season, a new school record, and tied its highest point total of the season with six goals.
The win secures a perfect regular season at home for the Bobcats, now 11-1-3 this season. In addition to earning the first NSCAA and NCAA Regional rankings in program history, the Bobcats have also secured their first national ranking, currently sitting at No. 20. It adds up to the most successful senior class in the program's history, with 38 total wins over the past four seasons. The Bobcats have not lost in over a month; their only loss this season came against UNC Pembroke on September 20 when they fell 1-0.
As in many of the Bobcats' games this season, the defense dominated the match, limiting Clayton State to only two shots during the entire game. After leading 1-0 at halftime, the Bobcats came out strong in the second half, scoring five goals and putting the game out of reach for the Lakers.
Five different players figured in the scoring for the Bobcats, either by goal or assist. Ferrell had another notable game, scoring two goals and recording two assists. Jamie Nevin and Jeni Day each had one goal and one assist, with Nevin's goal being her first of the season.
Currently, the Bobcats are seeded third in the Peach Belt Conference. Each year, the top four teams in the PBC host conference tournament games for those who qualify. Two games remain on the Bobcats' schedule, and both are conference matchups that will determine who plays at home and who travels.
But the PBC Tournament is not on the minds of the coaches or players, at least for now. Instead, the team prefers to focus on each game individually.
"We have two finals left," said Head Coach Juan Pablo Favero. "North Georgia is on the rise and at home. Columbus State is in the driver's seat right now. These are two big remaining games."
"We're taking it one step at a time, every game is a final," stated Hayley Ferrell. "We're following our process, not looking ahead. Focus is day-by-day; it's easy to stay focused when we go game by game."
"You can get too excited, look too far forward and lose focus," agreed Jeni Day. "Each game is a final. We have to play all-out each game. If we do that, we can make it far."
Despite allowing just three goals and going undefeated at Bobcat Field this season, Favero feels his team is comfortable in either environment.
"We've become road warriors this season," he said. "We're comfortable in both environments. I tell this group that we're road warriors who like home cooking."
The road warriors' final two games are indeed away from home, as they travel to Dahlonega to face North Georgia College and State University next Wednesday. The following Tuesday, the Bobcats will challenge Columbus State University, who is unbeaten in conference play this year.
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