With the struggles of University of Toronto’s football and rugby teams so well documented, one could certainly say (metaphorically) that the grass is greener on the other side of the pitch (since the Varsity Centre field is actually synthetic turf). The women’s soccer team is off to its best start in five years (5-1-2) currently sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference, behind the Ottawa Gee-Gees. But head coach Beth McCharles, recalling her early experiences, can empathize with her Blues colleagues: “I can’t speak for the other coaches, but it takes a while to build up a team. You need to have patience to get there. It’s like you’re starting from zero–it’s going to take a long time to get to ten.” Its only four years and already, Mc- Charles’ hard work is starting to pay dividends. From recruiting players to instilling a new philosophy for the team, it really has been a grassroots revival. The lady Blues are a formidable team, well-balanced and skilled. Many of the players McCharles brought in when she first took over in 2003 are also entering their fourth years, and that maturity has shown on the field.
“We’ve been in development mode for the past couple of years,” said team captain Katie Hill, a freshman when McCharles arrived. “We’re really coming together this season, the young players are stepping up, and we expect to go all the way.”
It’s the kind of confidence that only comes with experience. The right defender has seen a team that struggled to win even one game in 2003 (1-4-5) grow into one that can’t seem to lose even when they, aren’t playing well.
Coach McCharles certainly wasn’t pleased following a 1-0 victory over Carleton this past weekend. The Blues strayed from a strategy of forcing the competition to adjust to their line up, one that has made them successful so far this season.
“When a team plays a direct game against us, we need to keep it on the pitch and play a possession game,” said the Blues coach following the game. “We started playing too much of a direct style ourselves, keeping the ball in the air, and that’s one thing that we need to improve on.”
The Blues will need to work this out before they face Queen’s later this week. Last year’s OUA silver medalist, Queen’s eliminated U of T in the 2006 OUA quarter-finals. They find themselves in unfamiliar territory this season, trailing the Blues by a point in the standings. Still, coach McCharles remembers last season’s defeat well.
“Of course there’s always revenge against Queen’s. They’ve eliminated us twice in the last two years. But we’re a better team this year and I’m very confident in saying that. We just need to take it to them and put the ball in the net, and we’ll come up with the win.”
If the Blues had difficulty playing against Carleton, it is imperative that they learn from their mistakes by Saturday, as Queen’s employs a similar offensive approach. “Queens is traditionally a very offensive team. They play direct style and keep the ball in the air,” McCharles said. “They’re not as physical as Carleton, but they’re better technically, and are always a good rival for us.”
This past weekened, facing the afforementioned Carleton Ravens, the Blues had to remain patient in order to grind out a 1-0 victory. The game, though quick-paced, was beset with sloppy play, which Blues captain Katie Hill attributed to a lack of communication. Carleton came out aggressive, keeping the Blues’ defence on their heels by playing the ball in the air, but overall there were few scoring chances early in the game. The pace especially wasn’t conducive to the Blues style, as their skilled players usually allows them to play a more creative and controlled game. It wasn’t until the 29th minute of the first half that their patience finally paid off, as second-year forward Erica Basso scored her fourth goal of the season on a cross from the 18 yard box.
Basso, one of the top scorers in the OUA (currently ranked 7th) is just one of the many accomplished players on the roster this year. Striker Rebecca Vos is also having a solid season, as is mid-fielder Guinevere Kern. But the story in this game was all about defense. Blues goaltender Mary-Anne Barnes, recently named the OUA’s athlete of the week after her fifth shutout of the season, made several key saves throughout the game. Late in the first half with the Ravens pressing, she made the play of the game stoning a Carleton player in front of the net after a defensive breakdown. The game as a whole may not have been the best example of what this Blues squad is capable of, but make no mistake, these women are a force to be reckoned with.
