10/31/2008
Women's Soccer Set for NEWMAC Tournament Play

WORCESTER, MASS. 10/31/08 - The Clark University-Babson College rivalry will heat up this weekend when the Cougars visit the Beavers once again in the opening round of the women's soccer New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament on Saturday in Babson Park, Mass.

Both teams enter the tournament looking to regroup after falling in their respective regular season finales (Clark to MIT, 1-0 & Babson to WPI, 2-1) last Tuesday. But the Cougars have extra incentive after facing the same nemesis that knocked them out of the play-offs in penalty kicks (4-3) last year.

"Anytime you lose in PK's, it leaves a sour taste in your mouth," said coach Joe Brady. "Knowing that we were so close and having the opportunity to play that exact team, gives us some motivation to try and make it different and to continue the season."

Seeded sixth, Clark (7-8) will try to slow down a Babson team that is unbeaten in seven of its last eight games. Coach Brady says the biggest challenge will be Babson's attacking play. "They put a lot of pressure on you right from the start," says Brady, who has guided his team to seven wins all by shutout. "But our ability to defend, stay organized and take pride in not allowing goals, will keep us in the game."

While senior Julia Rizzo and junior goalkeeper Joanna Clark will remain a steady presence in the backfield, the team will need to step up offensively if they want to advance. "The goal is to find the final third and create more scoring opportunities than the first time against them," Brady says.

Clark, which was edged by the Beavers, 1-0, during the regular season, has played Babson four times in the last two years. Seeded third, Babson (10-4-5) enters the tournament tied for 10th in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) New England poll.

"We have proven that we can go on the road and compete," says Brady. "Anything can go, but you can't win anything in the tournament unless you get past the first round."

"The taste of getting to the next step is what we want to focus on."