Gaughan and Pugh take time to answer some questions about the College Cup, each other and Coach King
KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State women’s soccer team went undefeated at the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament, earning a bid to the 2009 Women’s College Cup for the second time in the last three years. The Owls shutout Jacksonville in overtime in the semifinals and then defeated Belmont, 2-1, in the championship match.
The Owls only allowed one goal in the tournament, a penalty kick, as their defense was led senior captain Bridget Gaughan, the A-Sun Defensive Player-of-the-Year and junior goalkeeper, Staci Pugh, who was named the A-Sun Tournament Most Valuable Player.
Before heading to Winston-Salem for the first round of the national tournament, the girls got together with women’s soccer Sports Information Director Jessica Steadman to share their thoughts about the 2009 Women’s College Cup, each other and head coach Rob King.
Q: How does it feel to make the tournament for the second time in the last three years?
BG: It’s a notable accomplishment for our program. To be able to say that in the three years that we have been eligible to compete in the NCAA Tournament and have gone twice is thrilling.
SP: It’s an important accomplishment at this time because of the number of younger athletes we have on the team. It shows them how it feels to be conference champs and to be able to go to the College Cup and what we expect in the future years.
Q: What is the difference between this year’s team and the 2007 team?
BG: Well, I am a senior this year and since we already went in 2007 I think that anything less would have been disappointing. I think I just have a different out-look on the team this year because it's my final season.
SP: Another difference is that we have players that now have played in an NCAA D-I Tournament. In 2007, nobody had played in a tournament like that before. We’re more experienced. The first 20 minutes of the first round match in 2007 was really hectic and we were really nervous. This year we will know more of what to expect.
Q: What do you think it will take to beat a team like Wake Forest?
BG: Composure and we just have to stay focused the entire game
SP: I think we just have to stay organized
Q: As a team, what are you guys working on to prepare for Friday night?
BG: We’ve been preparing all season so at this point we are just resting up. It’s more mental preparation at this point.
SP: Ditto
Q: What makes this 2009 team so special?
BG: Our chemistry, definitely. We communicate on and off the field. When there are problems or anything like that it’s taken care of right away. Plus our coaching staff is really great.
SP: All of us are so different but yet so alike when it comes to soccer. We had so many newcomers last year and I feel like that one year of experience together has made us so much closer. We have so many players who have just stepped it up this season.
Q: Bridget, what are you going to miss the most about this team?
BG: Everything! I am going to miss 5 v. 2, picking on Frank, just having a set time to see everyone, playing in matches, glaring at the other team because I hate them, playing cards on bus trips and just being able to say I’m a college athlete at KSU.
Q: Staci, what has Bridget brought to the KSU program that will be missed the most?
SP: Her leadership skills are really great. She’s a very driven person when it comes to soccer and shes the most competitive person I know and that rubs off a lot on her team. It helps to have a great senior leader like Bridget.
Q: You guys are the underdogs heading into Friday’s match, why should people not be surprised if you guys were to come out on top?
BG: Because we are a talented squad and we’ve worked so hard all season and we worked that hard for this time… to beat a team like this. I think everyone is going into the game wanting to playing our hardest and hoping for a win.
SP: The whole beginning of the first part of our season we played teams like Wake Forest. We played Georgia, Auburn, Minnesota, all high caliber teams and we stuck with them. We know what it's like to play a team like them and we are ready.
Q: What are your favorite things about Coach King?
BG: The way he runs is so goofy, but seriously he is a very understanding coach. He works with everyone to make sure he can put them in their best environment for them to perform the best and to learn.
SP: I have been playing soccer now for four years and I still love soccer. I believe that Coach King’s coaching style still makes me love playing soccer. And I realized the other day that he dresses really well outside of practice. He forgot his soccer practice clothes and he was dressed really nice.
Q: You have both attended the NCAA Tournament in 2007, what would you like to tell your younger teammates who haven’t been?
BG: They need to realize what an accomplishment it is because only 64 teams make it this far. Not to take it for granted but at the same time leave nothing back. Our entire season leads up to this and not to have any regrets.
SP: Our goal was to get to the tournament and win. Just because we’re here doesn’t mean that is where it ends. We’re coming here to win