Quote Sheet: NCAA Tournament Second Round
UW women's soccer will continue its season this weekend with a trip to Palo Alto for the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where the Huskies will take on Missouri on Friday, Nov. 21 at 4:30 p.m. PT. A few players gave their take on the team's success and playing in the NCAA Tournament.
UW junior goalkeeper and captain Megan Kufeld
On making the NCAA Tournament and winning the first-round game:
“It is definitely a great accomplishment. It’s the furthest I think anyone on our team right now has gotten in the tournament. It’s a long time coming for some of us and it’s really exciting to make progress. Hopefully we can make a run.”
On the team-first mentality:
“We’ve had a great team mentality, day-in and day-out. People are bought in to the team and will do whatever it takes for the team to be successful.”
UW senior midfielder Kate Bennett
On playing in the tournament and advancing:
“It’s my last year and I don’t want to see it come to an end. It was a goal to make the tournament and it’s great that we won our first game. I’m really happy with the results we’ve had. I think we have a great chance to keep going.”
On the team’s response to losses and how that has helped:
“We’ve been pretty resilient this year. We’ve had some hard losses, but we’ve recovered from them and taken them as learning experiences instead of hanging our heads. We’ve just kept playing. “
UW sophomore midfielder Amanda Perez
On making the NCAA Tournament after missing out last year:
“It means a lot for our team to make it to the NCAA Tournament, especially after last year’s disappointment. We put in a lot of hard work and dedication in the offseason, and to see that translate into the this year after that disappointment is a big confidence booster.”
On returning to her home state and playing in front of family:
“It definitely pulls on the emotional strings. I don’t get to play in front of my family a lot. For them to get to see me play, especially in the tournament, that’s going to be really special and I’m really excited to get that opportunity.”
On the success of the team coming from a great offseason:
“It has a lot to do with the work we put in off the field in the offseason. We really emphasized building team unity and trying to find our identity as a team. The incoming freshman and the returners really worked on building a sense of unity and chemistry. That’s really helped us become, not just good teammates, but good friends and that translates on to the field. We want to work for each other.”
UW senior defender Stine Schoening
On being in the NCAA Tournament:
“Every team’s goal at the end of the year is to be in the NCAA Tournament, and I think that we’ve put in so much work and I’m so stoked to be here and still be playing. A lot of teams are done so I’m glad I can keep my career going for another week.”
On the key to the Huskies’ success in 2014:
“The biggest reason we have been successful this year is that everyone is so bought in to their roles, whether they are playing 90 minutes or on the bench coming in as a sub. Everyone wants to do their job and do their part no matter how big or small.”
UW freshman forward Shannon Simon
On making the trip to Palo Alto for the second time this season:
“We don’t have the best memory of going to Stanford, but we’re looking to change the memory we have and get a better outcome.”
On her contributions as a freshman for the Huskies:
“I didn’t know what to expect coming into this season. I didn’t expect to get as much time as I did, but I’m really excited that I got the opportunity to play. This team is so welcoming and I think the players around me helped me to improve my style of play. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
UW freshman forward Rachel Wheeler
On playing in the NCAA Tournament as a freshman:
“As a freshman on this team, being in the NCAA tournament in my first year is really exciting and a great experience. It’s one I’ll never forget. Being able to watch the upperclassman and see how hard our team has worked is something I hope to model after."
UW sophomore forward Becca Schoales
On the tournament as a new start:
“I think it’s really exciting. It’s a whole new start to the season. Every game matters. Every time you’re on the field, it could be your last or it could be the start of something great. It’s really exciting to be a part of this team; we all believe in ourselves and that we can move on this tournament.”
On learning from last season:
“We’ve had success because last year hurt pretty bad and we thought that could have been our year. In the offseason and throughout this season, people have really worked their hardest. Our team has a lot of passion and desire to be playing.“