The Yellow Armband: Big Ten Brawlin'
9/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 23, 2009
Each Wednesday of the 2009 season, one of the Michigan women's soccer captains -- Jackie Carron, Alex Jendrusch, Amy Klippert and Kylie Neschke -- will give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the U-M program.
The Yellow Armband with Amy Klippert
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 -- Big Ten Brawlin'
School has started, out-of-conference games are over and the Big Ten games are about to start. All hail Michigan! For women's soccer, The Big Ten is one of the most physical conferences in the nation. Girls approach the field with healthy bodies, but they leave with bruises, cuts, and less brain cells.
It is a funny thing to think about, the Big Ten being a lot about physical play. I say funny because our team is the smallest team in the Big Ten. However, being small is not a bad thing. Do not be deceived by our feminine beauty and goddess-like figures, because we can tackle harder than 305-pound linebacker.
This past week of practice, our coaches had us work on keeping control of the ball while we had immense pressure against us. The defenders had to pull shirts, kick ankles and do whatever they needed to in order to win the ball. All the while the attackers had to do whatever it took to make sure the defender did not take the ball from her. It sounds like an easy task, but it most certainly is not. Amanda Bowery may bruise like a peach, but her bruises are well earned. As for Kelsey Rogind, she may be small and sweet, but she can crush a person's toes with just one stomp. It is safe to say that we perfected our physical play this past week in order to prepare for the Big Ten season.
The other defining characteristic of conference play is the pressure on all of the teams to perform. This is the first year that there is not a miraculous and spectacular Big Ten tournament. The end of the year tournament always gave the teams one more chance to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament if they won it. Last year, the tournament was in Iowa. While we were not lucky enough to spend quality time in the cornfield last year, we are sad that there is not a tournament anymore.
On the other hand, we know that we are prepared to play our best and give our best efforts in the conference play. We are ready to play our hearts out on the field for every game. Our team has worked so hard staying focused and working to improve every day at practice that Michigan is bringing home the W's this year. As for our game this weekend against Ohio State, we are going to make it rain! HAIL!
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