Spring Break
Soccer team excited for SEC tournament play
CHRIS ANTHONY
Issue date: 11/5/08 Section: News
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"We're excited to be going, we're excited about our seed and we're excited about our opponent," head coach Patrick Baker said.
The Bulldogs (9-9-1, 7-3-1 SEC) enter tonight's quarterfinal matchup on a significant hot streak. Georgia has won six of its last seven games, allowing only two goals during that span, and has shut out four of its last five opponents.
"We've got some great momentum," senior defender Megan Tomlinson said. "We're playing some of our best soccer. I think we had some glimpses [earlier in the season,] but I think overall this is the best we've played all season."
Offensively, the Bulldogs have started to find some rhythm. Junior forward Carrie Patterson has scored three goals in the past two games while leading the Bulldog squad with eight goals on the season.
Tomlinson has also found a home up front for Georgia. The senior normally lines up in central defense, but she has played forward the past two games and helped ignite the Bulldogs' offense.
"I've loved it, personally," Tomlinson said. "It adds a different dimension [to our attack.]"
Freshman forward Ashley Miller could also return to the fold for the Bulldogs. Miller, Georgia's second leading goal scorer with five goals, has sat out the past two games after sustaining a knee injury against Auburn on Oct. 23.
"We've held her out to hopefully get her there [for the SEC Tournament]," Baker said.
While options are emerging at the forward position, the Bulldogs' defense has little to worry about with the form it has shown the last half of the regular season.
"I think we've always been strong defensively," Tomlinson said. "We've got a strong backline. Collectively, we've played better defense as a team as well."
Many teams struggle when playing in a tournament on the road, but Georgia has played surprisingly well away from home this season. The Bulldogs have a 4-1-1 road record in the SEC.
"We've been a great road team," Baker said. "Our only loss in conference play was ... at Florida."
After coming away from South Carolina with a 1-1 draw earlier in the season, the Bulldogs feel that they can do better this time around.
"We were disappointed not to come away with a win from South Carolina," freshman defender Bailey Powell said. "If we're on top of our game, we have a chance at winning."
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