The Red and Black

Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Sports

BAKER

After tackling a tough four-game road stretch, the women's soccer team is excited to finally be playing at home again.

"It's going to be great," sophomore midfielder Caroline Simpson said. "We're going to have our fans … It'll be great for our chance to have the crowd behind us."

Difficult road swings to North Carolina, Florida and South Carolina have yielded poor results for the Bulldogs (2-7-1, 0-1-1 SEC) who have lost seven of their last nine matches.

However, Georgia can remedy that tonight when it faces Arkansas at the UGA Soccer Complex at 7 p.m.

"We really need to get a result," freshman midfielder Jamie Pollock said. "Definitely this weekend would be a good start. I feel like once we get one good result, we'll be on a good roll after that."

Georgia finishes up the weekend in an afternoon match against the Bayou Bengals of LSU, where a win could turn some heads and provide a big emotional spark for an embattled Bulldog squad.

"LSU is the next opportunity we have for a signature win," Simpson said. "If we get it this weekend, I think that it will keep us motivated and keep us going through the rest of the year."

And after no wins in SEC play against Florida and South Carolina last weekend, the Bulldogs know that results are critical at this juncture in the season.

"The bottom line is … (tonight) after 90 minutes we've got to have one more point, one more goal than Arkansas," head coach Patrick Baker said.

"And whether it be in the run of play, set piece, half-chance (or) fluke, somehow, some way we've got to get a W."

Baker to train for U-20 FIFA World Cup

The soccer team's freshman goalkeeper Ashley Baker has been selected to participate in a week-long training camp with the English National Team in its preparation for the FIFA Women's U-20 World Cup, that will be held in Chile from Nov. 19 to Dec. 7.

"I (am) really excited about getting the opportunity," Baker said. "It's just a great experience."

Baker leaves tonight for London to join the "Three Lions." She will rejoin the Bulldogs Oct. 11.

Baker, who also played for England in the UEFA European Women's U-19 Championship in July, knows the experience will help better her as a goalkeeper.

"My personal growth as a player will develop a lot," Baker said.

- Chris Anthony

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