Nov. 13, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - With the UCF women's soccer team receiving its 12th berth to the NCAA Tournament, the Knights will practice Tuesday and Wednesday before heading to Gainesville for their first-round match-up with Auburn Friday at 4:30 p.m. UCFAthletics.com spoke with associate head coach Colby Hale and sophomore defender Nikki Moore to get an idea for how UCF is feeling going into the weekend.
Colby Hale
Q: What's on tap for Tuesday's practice?
A: Today's about recovery. We are going to do a light jog and stretch. Some of the kids who didn't play as much this past week are going to play a little bit. So we will jog, stretch and get the junk out of their legs after the long travel week. We will talk a little bit about Auburn and what we got to do as far as our game plan is concerned.
Q: Do you even look at any film of your possible second-round opponents, Florida and Miami, this week, or do you wait until Friday if you win?
A: Yeah, we've got film and scouting reports on everybody. You have to be prepared. That's what we've told our girls. That's why we played such a hard non-conference schedule. It's all about preparation. So our girls will be prepared mentally and physically for all three teams, should we fortunate enough to beat a good Auburn team.
Q: Your team easily got an at-large bid to the Tournament and was definitely not a "bubble" team. What does that say about your squad this year?
A: It's a credit to the team and particularly the seniors. It's just been a great year. We've played as tough a schedule that we could possibly find and we came out of it 5-2-2. They played in some big-time games and big-time atmospheres. That's really when you earn your at-large bid. We've been able to take care of business within our conference the last three years, but the at-large happens in the non-conference schedule.
Q: How big was that 3-3 tie vs. No. 11 Florida State when you were down 3-1 in the second half?
A: Not only Florida State. Florida State was obviously huge, but against Miami we scored in the last five seconds. Loyola we scored in the last three minutes. We scored the game-tying or game-winner in the 86th minute or later six times. That speaks a lot of the character and leadership of this team. That stuff works for you in the future because when you fall behind, the girls still believe.
Nikki Moore
Q: You unfortunately were under the weather last weekend, so how do you feel going into the NCAA Tournament?
A: Yeah, definitely. Even if I am sick I am going to try and play through it. I just need to stay hydrated and eat as much as I can.
Q: What are your goals for these two practices this week?
A: We are going to watch some film and pick out our weaknesses form this past week, and we will focus on that a lot. As a team we have to prevent (our opponents from taking) shots. So we will work more on a team aspect of defending.
Q: How do you feel when you discovered UCF made it into the field of 64?
A: Excited. I almost cried when I found out, I'm not going to lie. I didn't feel like we were on the bubble but at the same time, since it wasn't official yet, it was very nerve-racking.
Q: What's your thoughts on going to Gainesville?
A: I'm happy about it and it's not a lot of traveling so that will be good. I have never been to Gainesville but I heard it's a good atmosphere.
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