Women’s soccer practices inner focus, preparation for in-conference game

Jim Swing
Staff Writer

VCU’s women’s soccer team rarely sees enough practice time in between games. After coming off a 1-1 tie against Elon this past Sunday, the week is short yet again for the Rams, who are preparing for their first in-conference matchup of the season against the Northeastern Huskies (5-2) tomorrow night.

With the match versus Elon falling on a Sunday, the team’s short week began with an off-day Monday in order for the team to gain some rest leaving them only three days of training in order to prepare for the next upcoming match. Tuesday’s training consisted of fitness related confidence building components such as one-on-ones to help improve on missed opportunities and build the team’s confidence. Wednesday was a tactical day in which the team worked on strengthening plays and developing organization. Thursday, on the eve of gameday, the team will train lightly going over tactics and building confidence in order to look sharp for Friday’s game.

“We never get much practice during the week after playing on Sunday,” co-head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. “Three days of training is not a lot but that’s all you get.”

Roberts Sahaydak is known for developing a style of preparation in which the Rams focus more on improving themselves before a game rather than studying each individual opponent. “We respect all of our opponents equally so we don’t adjust a ton for each separate opponent,” Roberts Sahaydak said. “I think professionally you do that but with the amount of time you have with student athletes we wouldn’t get a lot accomplished if we did.”

Tomorrow night’s matchup will feature two teams that look a lot alike when it comes to the stats sheet. VCU is thriving in the shots on goal column; averaging 14.6 shots per game whereas Northeastern comes into this game averaging a very similar 14.4 shots per match. The Rams and Huskies have each netted 12 goals so far this season, Northeastern averaging 1.71 goals per game while VCU is running at a pace of 1.5 goals per contest.

As VCU advances into conference play, leadership roles are beginning to emerge from a few of the Ram’s younger players on the roster, and in a timely fashion. VCU has recently been led by freshman Bex Kunz (Boise, Idaho/Centennial) who is swiftly making a name for herself as the Rams second leading scorer with eight points on three goals and two assists. “We are very pleased with her,” Roberts Sahaydak said. “We knew coming in she was a very versatile player.”

Kunz was initially seen as a defender when she was recruited by the coaching staff but was moved to forward once the season began and has made a smooth transition into the position. Equally as impressive, freshman keeper Megan Lynch (Lake Mary, Fla./Lake Mary High School) has excelled at the goalie position having started in all eight of the Rams games this season and posting a mark of just 0.95 goals allowed per game. “I think it is a huge role to step into as a freshman because goalkeepers have to be leaders,” said Roberts Sahaydak. “She has all of the older players playing right in front of her and she is doing a really nice job.” Lynch will be challenged tomorrow night by a Northeastern team that has outshot their opponents 101-73 so far this season.

Getting off on the right foot in the CAA could be key for VCU who is looking for its fifth win of the season tomorrow night. “We are ready, the team and staff are ready and prepared,” Roberts Sahaydak said. “This is the exciting part now.”

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