SMC SOCCER: Belles return home to host rival Comets
By LINDSAY MOLLAN
Sports Writer
After two weeks on the road, the Saint Mary's soccer team returns home on Wednesday to face Olivet College at 3 p.m. Wednesday's match will be the team's first home game since Sept. 30.
"I don't think playing away has affected us," said head coach Bobby Johnston. "But we're definitely excited to come back."
The last two weeks have been difficult for the Belles. They faced two of the top three teams in the league in their last four games. The Belles came away with two wins in those four games.
While they do not attribute their defeats to the lack of home field advantage, they admit the weather has played a large role in their season. The Belles have battled wind and rain in a number of their games and practices.
"The weather today [Tuesday] has sort of thrown off practice plans," said Johnston. "The things that I wanted to work on in practice we're not being able to do."
Despite the disruption in the Belles practice, Saint Mary's is optimistic for Wednesday's match against Olivet.
"We have a strong rivalry with Olivet," said senior Katie Robinson. "This will definitely be an attainable game if we play like we know how."
This game could be a turning point in the Belles' season. The MIAA league ranks teams according to the points they acquire for wins and ties. Currently, the Belles are ranked sixth in the league with a record of 3-5. A victory on Wednesday afternoon, however, could push the team past fifth place Hope and fourth place Olivet.
Wednesday's game will be the first time the Belles will go up against the Comets this season. The teams were scheduled to play earlier this season, however, rain forced them to postpone the game.
While the teams have yet to meet, it is safe to say that Wednesday's match will be close. Both teams have defeated Hope College 1-0 and both are vying for fourth place in the league.
"It's a game we definitely need to win to meet the goals we've set for ourselves," Robinson said.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, October 17, 2001
