After back-to-back appearances in the NAIA National Tournament, the women’s soccer team is ranked No. 6. in the national preseason poll. How is the team dealing with the pressure that comes with these expectations?<strong>After back-to-back appearances in the NAIA National Tournament, the women’s soccer team is ranked No. 6. in the national preseason poll. How is the team dealing with the pressure that comes with these expectations?</strong> After back-to-back appearances in the NAIA National Tournament, the women’s soccer team is ranked No. 6. in the national preseason poll. How is the team dealing with the pressure that comes with these expectations?

I don’t think we think of it as pressure this year. It’s just something to work towards and build on. And this year we are super excited with the team that we have, and it’s just something that sets our goals high and to aim for.

The team kicked off its season Wednesday at home against No. 9 Westmont College. After going into two overtime periods, the game ended in a 2-2 tie. What was it like to begin the season that way?<strong>The team kicked off its season Wednesday at home against No. 9 Westmont College. After going into two overtime periods, the game ended in a 2-2 tie. What was it like to begin the season that way?</strong> The team kicked off its season Wednesday at home against No. 9 Westmont College. After going into two overtime periods, the game ended in a 2-2 tie. What was it like to begin the season that way?

To begin the season that way, it wasn’t terrible. It was our first game that we’ve played. We didn’t have any preseason games and it was their third game. So coming out and tying the No. 9 team was not bad for us. We worked really hard and had good work ethic the whole game, so I think we were pretty proud of what we did. We know what we need to work on and where to move forward.

Five of the team’s nine remaining non-conference games are against nationally-ranked teams. How will that play as a test for the team throughout the season?<strong>Five of the team’s nine remaining non-conference games are against nationally-ranked teams. How will that play as a test for the team throughout the season?</strong> Five of the team’s nine remaining non-conference games are against nationally-ranked teams. How will that play as a test for the team throughout the season?

It definitely is a big test for us. It means we have to work harder, push harder through every game and just stay focused throughout conference knowing that we need to be on top.

The U.S. Women’s National Soccer team captured its fourth gold medal in the five Olympics that have featured women’s soccer. Were you able to watch any of the matches this summer?<strong>The U.S. Women’s National Soccer team captured its fourth gold medal in the five Olympics that have featured women’s soccer. Were you able to watch any of the matches this summer?</strong> The U.S. Women’s National Soccer team captured its fourth gold medal in the five Olympics that have featured women’s soccer. Were you able to watch any of the matches this summer?

I didn’t really get to watch. I watched replays of most of the games, but they were pretty awesome. Abby Wambach is a beast.