By Loni Ekins
After two losses, the BYU women”s soccer team will seek to seal the No. 1 MWC spot against Air Force Thursday, Oct. 25.
The BYU/Air Force game kicks off at 7 p.m. at South Field.
After a loss to No. 4 Nebraska and unranked New Mexico last week, BYU hopes to improve its 8-6-1 overall record, and 2-1-0 conference record.
The Cougars and Air Force Falcons are deadlocked for first place in the MWC. With only three conference games remaining, today”s game will be integral to BYU”s standing in the MWC.
“All of us are very serious because we have lost. We know we cannot take any team lightly,” said All-American Aleisha Cramer.
After the loss against New Mexico, head coach Jennifer Rockwood said she was extremely disappointed. She said the team needs someone to step up and take leadership.
According to some players, practice this week has consisted of drills, and focused on team principles.
“Coach put a lot of emphasis on the importance of work-rate and that we need to work hard,” Cramer said. “She explained that we may not be able to play our best every game, but we can determine how hard we work.”
“We need to be the hardest-working team on the field and hopefully the rest will take care of itself,” she said.
Cramer also said the team has been focusing on team unity and trying to make other team members look good. She said the Cougars are aware of the need for unselfishness and working hard for their teammates.
Junior midfielder Jeni Willardson-Viernes agreed the practices have concentrated on the team”s game and mindset.
“This week we have focused on our level of play and our work ethic, so that when we step on the field we deserve to win,” Viernes said.
“We talked a lot about our attitude and having the desire to win. We also have to play for each other and not for ourselves,” Viernes said.
“We need to deserve to win, have a good work ethic and be ready to fight for 50/50 balls because that is something we have lacked this year,” Viernes said.
The game will air live locally on KBYU-TV, Chan. 11 and live on BYU-TV on the Dish Network 500 System, Direct TV, and on other local cable channels. Kim Free will call the action and former BYU player Natalyn Lewis will provide the analysis.
