James Profetto/Staff Writer
The day was humid, full of sunshine and the melodic sounds of a marching band practicing on an adjacent field. A fairly typical day, by South Florida standards, but for the women’s soccer team, it’s much more than a normal weekday.
Friday marks the beginning of the season for FIU against a hungry Arizona squad. After last season’s 7-12 record, the Panthers look to gain double-digit wins and hold the losses to single digits this season.
“Everyone starts 0-0. Everyone has a championship opportunity on the line,” said sixth year assistant coach Kyle Schroeder. “It’s fun to see how everything plays out.”
Putting last season in the rear-view mirror is one of the many goals for this team, but perhaps the most important goal is improving their defense. During Wednesday’s early morning practice, Head Coach Thomas Chestnutt ran many set piece drills (corner kicks, free kicks) and emphasized attacking the ball, clearing it out of the penalty box. Not only do the defenders need to challenge the ball, but the attacking players need to defend, also.
“I think a lot of people get this messed up, but attackers need to defend, as well. From top to bottom of the field, everybody has defensive responsibilities,” said Lauren Singer, third year assistant coach who spent her time in college playing at the University of Miami.
Throughout practice, the team looked locked in, anticipating the high-octane match-up against an Arizona team who scored 38 goals last season, which was second most in Pac-12 Conference play.
When asked what Ashleigh Shim, senior forward, was looking for in Friday’s match, she didn’t mention Arizona’s ability to score goals. Instead, she laid out her team’s expectations.
“We’re going to win. Well, we expect to win. We’re going to [focus] on defense,” said Shim.
One of the most important storylines for this season will be redshirt senior Chelsea Leiva’s return to the field after missing last season to injury. Being a player who scored a team-high 11 goals in her junior year, Leiva is anxious to get back to action.
“I definitely miss the field a lot after being out a full year. I’m excited, and I’ve said this before; this team has a lot of potential,” said Leiva.
After sitting back and hearing what others have said of her, Leiva made it a point to address that she doesn’t pay mind to what the outside crowd expects from her.
“I just want to stick to my plan,” said Leiva.
Nevena Stojakovic, international goalkeeper from Serbia and a recruit from this past offseason, participated in a full practice Wednesday. Her aggressiveness was on full display, especially during one corner kick into the box. She estimated her timing correctly as she charged off her line to make a sweeping grab at a ball that would’ve landed right at the feet of an opposing teammate.
With Ashley Westberry, 5 foot 5 freshman goalkeeper out of Jacksonville, FL, and Stojakovic, 5 foot 9, a starting goalkeeper will be tough to choose as both bring the tenacity needed.
“I think [Ashley and Nevena] have really come along and developed throughout the preseason. I’m anxious to get them out there for their first college match,” said Schroeder.
After practice, Leiva mentioned her and Shim’s friendship on and off the field, which allows them to be a more dynamic duo, and no duo goes without common interests. Leiva’s pregame routine involves her praying, amongst other things. Shim is involved in religion, as well. Her favorite Bible verse being Luke 9:24 (“For whoever decides to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it”). It’s seemingly a match made in heaven.
As the players stretched, rehydrated and huddled up, there were plenty of smiles. The sun beating down on each of their faces did not reveal anguish from a hard day’s work—it revealed an eagerness to get the season started off on the right foot here at home.
“We want to win every home game,” said Shim. “We have to win every home game.”
The Panthers look to accomplish step one of their goals at home against Arizona, Friday evening at 7 p.m.
