Belles hope for fast start against Hornets
By KATIE McVOY
Associate Sports Editor
Victory has been elusive for the Belles this season. Although they have scored first in both MIAA games they have played this season, they have been unable to come home with a victory.
But the Belles have left their mark on the MIAA and they plan to do that again today as they take on the Hornets of Kalamazoo.
"We've already made great strides in the conference," senior captain Katy Robinson said. "And so many people weren't expecting us to come out as strong. We're going out today to prove ourselves in the conference."
The Hornets finished last season in second place with only two MIAA losses all season and won their first MIAA match of the season last week.
"[Kalamazoo] is a very good team," junior captain Lynn Taylor said. "They're very physical. They're very skilled."
Despite the challenge the Hornets present, returning players are looking forward to the rematch.
"This is going to be a very good game [and] I'm very excited to play them again," Taylor said.
Led by sophomore defender Jessica Geiger, who was named MIAA defensive player of the week last week, the Hornets' defense promises to be formidable competition for the Belles. But the biggest challenge will come from Kalamazoo's speed.
"They have a lot of very fast girls and that happens to be the place where we struggle the most," Taylor said.
Following Saturday's loss to Calvin, the Belles were looking to improve on speed, or find a new game strategy that would allow them to overcome opponents' speed.
Saturday's second half proved that they could do that. Reverting to a less aggressive defense and focusing on blocking the passing lanes, the Belles managed to hold the Knights of Calvin to only one goal in the second half. They hope to do the same today.
"We've really run a high pressure defense for the last couple of games and now we're more or less working a low pressure defense that will work more as a zone," Robinson said.
In addition to dealing with Kalamazoo's speed, Saint Mary's will be looking out for the team's physical play. During the Belles' first MIAA match up against Hope, many members of the young team got their first taste of serious college play. Today, however, they will enter the game with more experience.
"I think that [Hope] being the first collegiate match, [the freshmen] were surprised at how physical college soccer was," Taylor said. "I think that they're getting used to the style of play and we're stepping it up physically and mentally."
In addition to additional experience, the Belles are counting on team chemistry to pull them through the game.
"I think that we have such a young team and that we have a lot of high expectations already as a team and we have great team strength and unity," Robinson said. "Coming out as a team can win a game on any given day."
If Saint Mary's is going to win, they're going to have to win without senior Adrian Kirby, who was injured during Saturday's game and will not be able to play today.
In the Belles' last two games, they have scored first. Robinson credits that first score partly to the fact that other MIAA teams aren't expecting a quick start from the Belles. The Belles are looking to come out strong again today.
"I think [scoring first] is a result of the other team not expecting us to come out as strong as we have," Robinson said. "Our goal and our strategy is high pressure the first 10 minutes, the last 10 minutes. That's our strategy. That's how we play."
The game gets under way today at 4 p.m. at the Saint Mary's soccer fields.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, September 19, 2001
