They know it already, but now it’s time to prove it to everyone else.
The University of Memphis Women’s soccer team said they know they are good enough to go to the Conference USA tournament.
The team has rebounded with a pair of 1-0 conference wins over Southern Miss and UAB. Memphis now seems to be in control of its own destiny after stumbling in the midseason.
A large part of the reason the Tigers (7-7-1, 3-4 in C-USA) won the past to games is the flawless play of goaltender Katarina Wicksell.
Wicksell had two shutouts and earned C-USA defensive player of the week for her efforts.
It is only the second time in program history that a player won defensive player of the week. Wicksell has her sights set on the C-USA tournament now.
“We deserve to go to the conference tournament,” Wicksell said. “Now we just go to prove it.”
Prior to its last two wins, Memphis was 14th in conference standings. The Tigers moved up to 7th over the weekend because of how tightly packed the standings were.
Head coach Brooks Monaghan wants to keep his team on the track it’s on. He said his team has to concentrate on maintaining its position and earning a berth into the tournament.
“We need to stay focused and never be satisfied,” Monaghan said. “It’s okay for us to be excited about what we have done so far, but not to be satisfied with it.”
Sophomore Midfielder Monica Powell said the team’s last wins were good, but the scores were too close for comfort. She said the two tight wins took mental toughness.
“The wins were extremely nerve-racking,” Powell said. “Because the other team hangs around and is always in the game.”
Monaghan doesn’t think winning the nip and tuck matches was a bad thing. He said the close wins made the team surer of itself.
“After beating those two teams they have confidence and know that they belong in the conference tournament,” Monaghan said.
Wicksell thinks things are about to get tougher. She said the upcoming conference games against Houston, Tulane and TCU are the most critical games of the season.
“They’re crucial, we have to play well,” Wicksell said. “In the position that we are in right now, they are the most important games for us.”
Powell agrees. She said there is no doubt that the entire season depends on the last three conference games.
“By far these next few games are the most important,” Powell said. “We just have to keep playing like we have and finish games.”
