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Pac-10 In Print
• Cal Women's Soccer Cal Women's Soccer 2007
Written By: Valerie Barnes Santa Clara, Stanford, USC and UCLA have been the biggest tests the Cal Bears have faced all season. We knew hitting these four teams all back to back during midterms and with all the aches and pains teams face during the middle of the season would be difficult, we never thought it was impossible. After defeating Santa Clara, who was No. 1 in the nation at the time, you would have thought that would have been enough to carry us through our next three games. Opening against Stanford, ranked No. 1 or 2 in different polls, in conference play was exciting. Our rival, who we had beaten in two close matches the previous two years, always turns out to be an intense match. However, after the first half, we were down 3-0, and we were not playing up to our potential. We picked it up in the second half, coming back with two goals to their one penalty kick, but it was too little too late. We knew the week leading up to two tough games against USC and UCLA that our preparation had to be different. Any running or extra work we did whether on our own or as a team was in training for USC and UCLA. Once again, we struggled to find a rhythm against USC and played quite sluggish. All that mattered now was UCLA. This time, we came out tougher and stronger than we did against Stanford and USC, playing with more confidence and desire. Unfortunately, we came out on the shorter end, suffering a 2-0 loss. Yes, the Cal Bears have had a brutal two weekends. There is nothing we can do about our previous losses or the goals we have given up or the players we have sitting on the bench because of injuries. We cannot dwell on the past, the mistakes we made or the lack of effort we may have had. The positive side is that we have faced four top ranked teams, and the only thing we can do now is to start taking care of business. Because even though it may look like we are having a tough year, I see exactly the opposite. I see the opportunity for us to take what we have and run with it. We have six guaranteed games left in the season, with the possibility of us still making the playoffs. You better believe the Cal Bears are not going to fade away like many teams do at this point in the season. We have been tested, and we will now take what we have learned and go at these next six teams like real Cal Bears. Valerie Barnes
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