Beavers Gain Experience Against Pro Squads
April 08, 2016 | Women's Soccer
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The first “pinch-me” moment for the Oregon State women's soccer team came when the Beavers emerged from their locker room at Providence Park for a March 27 friendly against the Houston Dash.
“When we walked on the field before the game, we were looking around, taking pictures, just getting the vibe,” senior-to-be Helene Haavik said in recalling an unforgettable experience.
“Then when we went back into the locker room, there was a [scouting] sheet on how to execute the game plan,” photo breakdowns, and other trappings of soccer at the highest level. “It was just really professional, the whole experience.
“I will remember it for the rest of my life. And I want to take it to the next level after college, so it was a good window” to see what life as a professional player would be like.
The contest with the Dash, a charter member of the National Women's Soccer League, was one of three the Beavers played against professional sides at the 2016 Thorns FC Preseason Tournament at Providence Park in Portland on March 27-April 2.
They also faced the host FC Thorns on March 30, and the Seattle Reign on April 2, encounters that exposed the Beavers to a superior competition while helping the professionals prepare for the upcoming NWSL season, which starts later this month.
“It was amazing,” added senior-to-be Annie Govig. “It was a ton of fun because of the atmosphere of the big stadium and playing against such a high-level team. It was a really cool experience.”
The Beavers lost 2-1 to Seattle and 3-0 to Houston and the Thorns, but the experience was far more important than the outcomes. The objective was to be challenged by elite competition, and that goal was realized.
“We did well, we got better with every game,” coach Linus Rhode said. “We had to do a lot of defending,” and in some instances their defense was exposed. “But we started understanding our roles and responsibilities, kept our shape on defense, and had good 1-v-1 defending. That part took a big jump.”
Sophomore forward Nikki Faris scored OSU's lone goal, heading home a pass from Haavik in the 61st minute against the Reign. Rhode said OSU improved on offense in each game as the players grew more confident and adjusted to the quicker pace.
“On the ball we started improving with our speed of play, recognizing and playing away from pressure, and dealing with the physical side of the game,” he said. “We kept the ball, didn't panic under pressure, and played through it.”
Govig said the quicker pace of play was the most noticeable difference from college competition.
“Going against players who could move the ball so quickly gave us an idea of where we need to be, and where we want to improve to,” she said.
“There was definitely improvement, especially in the second half of the last game. We all just put in our last group effort, started moving the ball better, and got a goal.”
The three games with the pros will be the highlight of OSU's spring season, which resumes this Sunday at Gonzaga, and help the Beavers ready themselves for the challenges they'll face this fall in the Pacific-12 Conference.
“It was just an awesome opportunity to get an invitation to play teams like that,” Rhode said. “We wanted to give the team the experience because for some of them it might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“Obviously the goal was strengthening us for the fall, to compete against top-level competition and to see how we do, and how we would respond playing in that type of environment against players of that caliber.
“It definitely was a thrill. Our players all said it was a great experience and if they could do it again, they would. Hopefully we will get an invitation next year. If we do we will take it.”
Govig said being tested in the spring would pay dividends down the road in the Pac-12, one of the country's premier women's soccer conferences.
“I definitely think the feeling we can compete is really big,” and the games against the pros helped instill a sense they can match up with great competition. “We already talked about it.
“Now that we've played against such a high level, we have to keep that quality and that high standard, all the way through fall. I definitely see that happening. I've been seeing a lot of improvement this past term, it's been exciting and I'm excited for our season.”
Added Haavik:
“Playing in that facility against the next-level players was amazing. We are never gonna meet anyone like that again in the Pac-12, and we did a good job.
“We got a lot better. We followed through with the game plan. Knowing we can compete on a high level,” is crucial, “because in the Pac-12 we have so many teams that are very good, like Stanford and UCLA.”
OSU vs. Seattle Reign: Bella Geist (Lindsay LaMont 45); Miranda Silver (Toni Malone 57, Lizzy Coryell 80), Greta Espinoza, Allison Pantuso, Natalie Higgins, Sabrina Santarossa, Annie Govig (Jessi Witherington 81), Emmy Rodriguez, Emma Jones (Nikki Faris 25), Helene Haavik, McKenzie Redberg (Kayla Latham 60).
OSU vs. Portland Thorns: Bella Geist (Lindsay LaMont 72), Annie Govig, Emmy Rodriguez (Jessi Witherington 76), McKenzie Redberg (Allison Pantuso 60), Helene Haavik, Kayla Latham, Nikki Faris, Greta Espinoza, Sabrina Santarossa, Emma Jones (Miranda Stiver 66), Natalie Higgins (Toni Malone 66).
OSU vs. Houston Dash: Bella Geist (Lindsey LaMont 71); Kayla Latham, Allison Pantuso, Toni Malone (Miranda Stiver 54), Natalie Higgins; Annie Govig, Emmy Rodriguez, Helene Haavik (Jessi Witherington 76); Nikki Faris, McKenzie Redberg.
Remaining Spring Schedule:
April 10 - at Gonzaga - 11 a.m.
April 16 - vs. Trinity Western - 1 p.m.
April 29 - vs. Oregon - 6 p.m.
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