September 20, 2007

Soccer team earns national rankings

Cougars recognized after a win over No. 16 Oklahoma State leads to undefeated record.

Nick Kajca

The Daily Evergreen

Heavy lies the crown. It is the burden that comes with being the best.

This week the WSU soccer team took a huge step toward experiencing both the rewards and challenges that come with being one of the top clubs in the country.

Riding on the coattails of an undefeated record of 4-0-1 and a key victory last weekend over No. 16 Oklahoma State, WSU is now nationally ranked. The Cougars are ranked in three of the four national polls. The team is ranked No. 11 by Soccer America, No. 23 by Soccer Buzz and No. 25 by Soccer Times. It is the first time since 2002 the Cougars have been ranked in a poll, and the first time in school history they have been ranked in three polls in the same week.

Senior goalkeeper Brynn Bemis was named Pac-10 player of the week for Sept. 11-17. “It feels good and it is nice to get that recognition, but there is still a long way to go,” senior Allison Scurich said.

A long way to go until Nov. 12, to be more specific. That is day the NCAA selects the teams that will compete in the NCAA tournament – the ultimate goal for the Cougars.

For now, it is a matter of the team accepting its new role of being a hunted team instead of a hunter. After five straight seasons of being the team hungry for an upset, the WSU soccer team is now the team everyone is gunning for.

“I don’t think it is going to be a problem,” head coach Matt Potter said. “The maturity of this team is good and the work ethic is good. We have had to fight in every game.” Every one of the team's games have been close. The team has not won an official game by more than one goal, and fought off a near defeat against Utah to earn a tie. It is those types of close games that keep the team humble with a national ranking now attached to its name.

“We have tried to stress being the same team and doing what got us here,” Scurich said. “We have to stay consistent.” Potter echoed those sentiments.

“It is nothing more than an indication that we are moving in the right direction and we have shown progress, and that we are working hard,” he said. The team will put its national rankings to the test this weekend for the first time in the UNLV Rebel Classic in Las Vegas. The Cougars will open with UNLV on Friday, and take on Nevada on Sunday.

“We play two very competitive teams,” Potter said. “UNLV is a very good team and we know that we will have a big sticker on our back.” UNLV, the host team, is traditionally strong at home. They have two home wins this season over Cal State Fullerton and Arizona State, both of whom were regionally ranked at the time. Last season UNLV also won the Mountain West Conference Tournament in three games on its home field, and had an upset victory over No. 20 Pepperdine, also on its home field.

Nevada has a 2-0 all-time record against the Cougars. The team beat WSU in both the 2005 and 2006 seasons.

“It is important for us to come out strong,” Scurich said. “These teams are looking to knock us off.” Notes n Bemis was also honored by Soccer Buzz magazine for her work at the Notre Dame Inn St. Mary’s Classic last week. Teammate midfielder Mallory Fox was honored by Soccer America for her play in the tournament. n Bemis, sophomore Kiersten Dallstream, senior Natalie Elkind and redshirt freshman Fox were all named to the tournament’s all-tournament team.