Hussak Pleased With Preseason Contests

CUTHBERT, GA - On August 16th, the Women's Soccer team began their preseason exhibition games with a matchup against NCAA Div. II Georgia Southwestern team in Americus. "It was definitely a learning curve for the girls, but they battled the whole game and made it tough for Lady Hurricanes and the two goals we did concede were off set pieces." said Hussak. The Lady Tigers traveled to Montgomery, AL where they were able to taste success against both Huntingdon College and Faulkner University in 2-30 minute mini games. Goals came from Chandler Elliott vs Huntingdon College (1-0) and Sarah DeYoung vs Faulkner College (1-0). "The girls at this point were a little battered and bruised from a hard training camp and first game. They rallied well and managed to find the back of the goal in both games, while managing to keep a clean sheet on our end." said Hussak. 

With a small break in the action, Hussak was able to head back to drawing board in order to prepare for their next round of games. The weekend of the August 25th and 26th brought about the toughest string of games yet. It would see the Lady Tigers travel to Eckerd College to play both Trinity Baptist and Eckerd College in a 2-35 minute mini game series with Webber University on deck for the Saturday. "I knew it was going to be a tough weekend from the moment we hit the highway. We ran into any and every accident and traffic jam imaginable on our way there, which left the girls in a situation where they had to get off the bus and begin warm up." said Hussak "We played a hungry Trinity Baptist team, who has been and will be nationally ranked in their division. All in all it was a very even game and their center midfielder hit a fantastic ball from about 22 yards out to score their only goal." The Eckerd game was a moment of realization for the Lady Tigers. "We came out after a long weather delay, at a pretty late hour, and we were able to stay with Eckerd for about 15 minutes, but our mental fitness and focus began to falter." said Hussak, adding, "Eventually, the relentlessness of the Eckerd attack became too overwhelming and brought about a penalty kick and 3 additional goals." With the 2 games in the rearview mirror for the Lady Tigers, they managed to rally behind each other and play an equally injured Webber squad, where the result was a 2-1 win for the Tigers.

The Lady Tigers then prepared for their last preseaon game, traveling to play Brewton-Parker College in Mt. Vernon. Behind goals  from Chandler Elliott (2) and Buffi Tillman (1), the Lady Tigers were able to shutout Brewton-Parker College 3-0.

"Overall, I feel like we were able to get what we needed out of the girls in preseason. Each game was a road trip and a test in many different ways. We've seen a lot already and have learned how to stay tough mentally and physically. We have seen that we can defend well, that we can put the ball in the back of the net and that we can rally when the going gets tough. The ladies now get some much needed rest for labor day as we prepare for our first conference game against Gordon College." Hussak explained.