Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Soccer Holds First Practice In Program History
08/07/2019 | 2:01:00 | Women's Soccer
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois head coach Grant Williams and select players met with local media following the team's first-ever practice at the Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex Wednesday morning. Southern Illinois hosts SEMO on Friday, August 17 at 7 p.m. for their first home exhibition match in program history. Tickets are available on-line or by calling 1-877-SALUKIS.
Head Coach Grant Williams
On what excites him about the start of Saluki soccer.
We finally get to get the ball out. It seems like the only thing we've been doing over the last year is talking about it. The "pinch me" moment for me was to actually be there with the kids, drop the balls and get them all together. We've had a large block of them over July and that was great for them to get acclimated to their surroundings, our strength staff and get a class in. Not everybody was here and I don't get to have contact with them. Again, just having all of the players in one place, getting the ball out and being on the field together was really a special thing this morning.
On what it'll take to be a great defensive team.
Mentality. There's just a willingness to do the work and that comes from everybody that's on the field. When we have possession of the ball, everybody on the field should see themselves as having value in helping us build our attack. When we lose the ball, we'll need all ten field players to flip the switch and be relentless in our pursuit to get pressure on the ball. A lot of it is will we be willing to do the work to get pressure on the other team? Along with that, the defensive organization is all about the players knowing what their roles and responsibilities are, who they're responsible for, identifying what players' spaces are most dangerous and how we can close those spaces and opportunities down to get back possession as quickly as possible.
Thoughts on the quick start to the season.Â
For me, that was intentional. The players have all played at a high level and have all been playing soccer for a really long time. Until we play somebody else in a different uniform, we're really not going to know what this level is about. We have talented players, but it's always different when you cross the line and you've got your uniform on. Everybody wants to win. For me, giving everyone perspective about why I might be demanding the things that I am and why we are doing the activities and drills one more time to help prepare them for that next level so that they can be successful. Until you step across the line and play somebody, you just won't know. The other part, too, is we play a lot of our non-conference matches on Fridays and Sundays. For them, getting the game on Sunday and then turning around and playing again on Tuesday starts to replicate the physical demands about how you recover, what's your mental approach from playing a game and turning around to play roughly 36 hours later. I just wanted to give them an idea of what you're getting yourself into so that we can prepare in the best possible way.
On whether or not there should be concern with a young team.Â
Actually, I think a lot of that concern falls on me. The challenge for me this morning was not to stop every ten seconds and try to make corrections. They just want to put the ball down and play. I think that the challenge for me is going to be to not over-coach. It would be impossible to answer every question they're going to have or run through every scenario. The best thing about this game is that it's fluid. You could play the same team the next day and it would be completely different. For me, it'll be about defensive mentality and organization. Then we're just going to have to learn the hard way in some regard while the game is going on. Again, I think the challenge for me is not to over-coach or overcomplicate it. We will get better each and every day and each and every game. You just have to be patient enough to let that process play out.
Freshman Forward/Midfield Devin Butler
On what it's like to be out there for the first day of practice.
It was really exciting for all of us to get together and practice and to see what everyone has.
Thoughts on what's it's like to be apart of the first-ever women's soccer team in program history.
It's very thrilling to start with a new program. Especially with being local, I get to have people that I know come and watch me.
Freshman Forward Blake Clark
On being excited for the first day of practice.
I woke up this morning before my alarm because I was just excited to get out there and finally do what we've been dreaming of since last August. Just with the nerves and excitement with representing my hometown is super exciting and I couldn't wait to get out there this morning.
Thoughts on Southern Illinois acquiring a soccer team.Â
Clark: It meant so much. This is something I've dreamed about since I was a little girl. Ever since I decided that I wanted to play college soccer, I prayed that SIU would get women's soccer. It just happened at the exact right time. As soon as I heard of the team, Marissa (Basi) and I contacted Grant (Williams) and got on as soon as we heard the news.
Senior Goalkeeper/Defender Ashley Moore
Thoughts on being a part of the inaugural program.Â
It's a little bit emotional and exciting. I played for Carbondale Youth Soccer and for Carbondale High School. With this team, we're definitely role models for the younger kids who are going to come out and think, "Oh my gosh, someone from Carbondale could play for SIU so maybe I can too". To be a good role model for those younger kids is really exciting to me. Additionally, being a part of an inaugural team - our pictures are going to be on the wall forever. That's really exciting. Both of my parents were SIU students, so it's kind of like carrying on a tradition.
On Coach Wiliams' defensive scheme.Â
With Grant's vision, he wants 10 people, excluding the goalkeeper, to defend when the opponent has the ball. Everyone from the offense, midfield and defense will all be in a defensive role. You want to get that ball back and you want to take that offensive role again. It's not necessarily that defenders are going to be up top, it's more that the offense is the first round of defenders once they get the ball on the other half. Then, the next row of defenders is that midfield and then opposite. When we have possession of the ball, we're all trying to attack and we want the ball to be pushed up on their end of the field. So, it's not necessarily that the defenders are also going to play up top or that the offensive players will play in the back. It's just a state of mind. Everybody wants to get the ball at the same time.
