Revenge motivates athletes in different ways. For the women’s soccer team, revenge could be a dish best served on a cold field in Georgia.
The men’s soccer team lost to Montevallo (Ala.) in the South Region semifinals after holding a lead with under eight minutes to play.
The women’s team has the chance to avenge the demise of their Spartan counterparts against Montevallo in the South Region finals at Columbus State on Friday.
“Sure it motivates us,” said Courtney Evans. “Before the men’s loss to Montevallo, we really had nothing against them, you know? The fact that the men’s season was cut short by their men’s team gives us more reason to know want to knock out their women.”
Ashley Flateland called it “personal.”
“Theres a huge element of revenge knowing that we’re going to play the team that knocked out our men’s team,” she said. “It’s personal now, and I think it gives us an edge. Of course we want to win no matter who or where we are playing, but knowing that we’re playing the team that knocked our men’s team out gives us extra motivation.”
Others didn’t feel as strongly about avenging the loss, but rather put attention on the task at hand.
“We’re motivated in a way, but we’re more focused on taking it one game at a time,” Nicole Murphy said. “We didn’t expect much [from the men's team], but they kind of overcame last year’s struggles and played more like a team.”
It seems natural for the women’s team to want to stand up for the team that practices across the field from them every day.
“We all respect their program and want them to succeed,” Evans said. “We all support each other. I’m sure they want us to play well and beat Montevallo.”
Montevallo (15-7) plays a style of soccer similar to Ouachita Baptist, who Tampa defeated in the regional semifinals.
“They play similar, but they actually play soccer,” Murphy said.
With four games to play, Evans aimed for the future.
“No game can be taken lightly at this point,” she said. “Everyone is out for one thing, and that’s a national title. Stats don’t mean anything at this point. It all comes down to who has more heart and wants it more.”
SOUTH REGIONAL FINAL INFO:
>> Where? Columbus State (Ga.)
>> Who? Tampa vs. Montevallo
>> When? 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16.
>> Then What?:
The winner will face the winner of Tusculum vs. Columbus St. on Sunday.
>>Our pick: Tampa over Montevallo. Montevallo plays a similar game to Ouachita, who failed to get any kind of offensive pressure on the Tampa defense.
Tusculum will defeat Columbus State for a rematch of the 2006 Elight Eight matchup against Tampa, a match the Spartans won 5-0.
