After getting off to a hot start this season, the women's soccer team will attempt to continue their strong play against unfamiliar opponents this weekend. The Bears will host this weekend's Brown Classic featuring squads from Marist College, the University of Minnesota and the United States Military Academy.
Carrying a 2-0-1 record after Tuesday's scoreless draw with No. 24 Boston University, Brown is the only undefeated team of the four in the tournament. Brown squares off with Marist (1-1) on Friday and Minnesota on Sunday (3-1), and will not face Army.
Brown's first three games have showcased outstanding talent from underclassmen, especially goalkeeper Brenna Hogue '10, who stepped into the large cleats left behind with the graduation of Hilary Wilson '06.
"It was pretty terrifying for me, especially being the youngest on the team," Hogue said of making her collegiate debut against the University of New Hampshire. "I felt a huge responsibility to play well for the upperclassmen. I think all of the freshman wanted to go out and make plays for the team and not let any of the girls who have been here down."
Hogue has put up two straight shutouts since giving up two goals in the first game of the season. On Tuesday evening, she kept nationally ranked BU out of the net for 110 minutes in a 0-0 draw.
On the attacking end, Lindsay Cunningham '09 picked up right where she left off last season. Cunningham played in all 17 contests last year and led the team in scoring with six goals, twice the number of her next closest teammate. Her experience from last year seems to be paying dividends already this season - in just three games, Cunningham has two goals and an assist and has established herself as a threat to be accounted for at all times.
Teaming with Cunningham in providing Bruno some offensive punch has been Bridget Ballard '10. The reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Week scored the first two goals of her career last weekend and provides Head Coach Phil Pincince another weapon against the opposition.
Of course, the youngsters could not accomplish much on their own. The presence of veteran players like Jill Mansfield '07 and Kathryn Moos '07 has eased the transition of so many young starters.
"(The veterans) totally took the young players under their wings," Hogue said. "They have been really helpful on and off the field, even with advising us on scheduling class time and little things like that."
So far, the increased speed of the game and the greater skill level of collegiate opponents has not fazed the young players. Not that they haven't noticed.
"It's definitely a big change from high school," Hogue said. "At first I was like 'Whoa, this is Division I soccer.' But once you adjust to the pace of play it gets easier to do play the way you know how."
Now that the first-years have gotten their feet wet, they will be faced with another challenge this week at the Brown Classic. The Bears are unfamiliar with both Marist and the Golden Gophers. However, Tuesday night's effort showed that Brown can compete with any opponent.
Moos, a Minnesota native, said she was excited to be facing off against her hometown team, but that in the end, it was still just a soccer game.
"We really don't know what to expect from them," Moos said. "I know that coming from Minnesota they will have a bunch of tough girls on the team but as long as we play the way we are capable of we should be fine."
