Spring Break
Women set for Bulldogs
The OSU women look to end the non-conference schedule on a positive note tonight
Frank Hoaglin
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Sports
Following a heartbreaking overtime loss to Weber State last week, the Oregon State women's soccer team looks to rebound against the Fresno State Bulldogs tonight at Lorenz Field.
The Beaver's (5-4-0) last seven matches have been decided by one goal, and finish up their non-conference schedule tonight against the Bulldogs (3-7-0).
"It's a big game. Every game is a big game," said junior forward Najma Homidi. "It is our last shot to prove to ourselves that we worked so hard this season."
Homidi leads the Beavers into tonight's match with the most goals scored (3) and points overall (7). She has recorded 24 shots on goal and has started all nine games this season. However, despite her veteran leadership, the team still remains young and looks on improving on numerous aspects heading into Pac-10 play after the Fresno State match.
"We have a lot of young players," Homidi said. "So we have improved in the sense that we have to know how to put each player in a position that adds to their strengths."
Coming into the match, the Bulldogs are led by freshman defender Molly Nizzoli, who leads the team with four goals and nine points. The Beavers, however, are not looking to focus just on Nizzoli - the whole Bulldogs team will be the main focus.
Homidi said the team may still place emphasis on specific players, but will not lose focus on the team as a whole.
The Beavers dominated offensively in the Weber State match last week, but it was not apparent in the score. The Beavers had no problem setting up shots on goal, but finishing was an issue. The Beavers need to resolved this in order to defeat a bigger, more physical Fresno State team.
"I know that it's gonna be a physical match," Homidi said. "We need to prepare for that mentally, knowing that it's going to be a physical match."
She said the team will have to stand guard and be sure to not turn the ball over.
Offensively, the Beavers will look to create opportunities for Homidi and junior midfielder Rachael Axon, who is third on the team in scoring with three points. The key will be getting the ball passed the goalkeeper.
Homidi noted that although the Weber State match was a loss, the Beavers had many more shots on goal.
"We had 20 shots to their eight," she said. "Sometimes it's just bad luck."
Coming into the matchup against the Beavers, Fresno State sophomore goalkeeper Kaitlyn Revel has seen most of the time in the net, recording 1.66 goals against average per match in 10 appearances this season. Comparing the Beavers 125 shots on goal this season to Revel's GAA, the Beavers should have plenty of opportunities for goals in this match.
After tonight's home match against Fresno State at 5 p.m., the Beavers will start off Pac-10 conference play in Berkeley, Calif. against No. 22 Golden Bears of California (7-3-0).
Frank Hoaglin, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
The Beaver's (5-4-0) last seven matches have been decided by one goal, and finish up their non-conference schedule tonight against the Bulldogs (3-7-0).
"It's a big game. Every game is a big game," said junior forward Najma Homidi. "It is our last shot to prove to ourselves that we worked so hard this season."
Homidi leads the Beavers into tonight's match with the most goals scored (3) and points overall (7). She has recorded 24 shots on goal and has started all nine games this season. However, despite her veteran leadership, the team still remains young and looks on improving on numerous aspects heading into Pac-10 play after the Fresno State match.
"We have a lot of young players," Homidi said. "So we have improved in the sense that we have to know how to put each player in a position that adds to their strengths."
Coming into the match, the Bulldogs are led by freshman defender Molly Nizzoli, who leads the team with four goals and nine points. The Beavers, however, are not looking to focus just on Nizzoli - the whole Bulldogs team will be the main focus.
Homidi said the team may still place emphasis on specific players, but will not lose focus on the team as a whole.
The Beavers dominated offensively in the Weber State match last week, but it was not apparent in the score. The Beavers had no problem setting up shots on goal, but finishing was an issue. The Beavers need to resolved this in order to defeat a bigger, more physical Fresno State team.
"I know that it's gonna be a physical match," Homidi said. "We need to prepare for that mentally, knowing that it's going to be a physical match."
She said the team will have to stand guard and be sure to not turn the ball over.
Offensively, the Beavers will look to create opportunities for Homidi and junior midfielder Rachael Axon, who is third on the team in scoring with three points. The key will be getting the ball passed the goalkeeper.
Homidi noted that although the Weber State match was a loss, the Beavers had many more shots on goal.
"We had 20 shots to their eight," she said. "Sometimes it's just bad luck."
Coming into the matchup against the Beavers, Fresno State sophomore goalkeeper Kaitlyn Revel has seen most of the time in the net, recording 1.66 goals against average per match in 10 appearances this season. Comparing the Beavers 125 shots on goal this season to Revel's GAA, the Beavers should have plenty of opportunities for goals in this match.
After tonight's home match against Fresno State at 5 p.m., the Beavers will start off Pac-10 conference play in Berkeley, Calif. against No. 22 Golden Bears of California (7-3-0).
Frank Hoaglin, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
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