Being pushed, shoved and tackled for the soccer ball is something high school athletes must get used to when they make the transition from high school to big-time college soccer.
“You have to play physically to get a good result, especially in the Southeastern Conference,” said freshman forward Colby Maffei. “The SEC is a really competitive and physical league.”
In high school, most players make the team, and there are usually a few standout athletes. Once athletes make it to the next level, the game gets serious and intense.
“A lot of college soccer is getting up in the air,” said freshman midfielder Heather Magee. “[We’re] winning headers and putting your body in the way, so that together makes it more physical.”
The transition is an uphill battle. With a game loaded with standout freshmen, some Tigers admitted the game took some getting used to.
“Sometimes you get pushed off a ball a little bit and you’re just like, ‘next one you gotta get big and protect myself,’” Magee said. “[College soccer] is a lot faster pace than I thought, a lot more running than I was used to. But I bounced back pretty well, and [I’m] still going at it.”
Players credit their ability to successfully transition from high school to college soccer to the strength and conditioning improvements that were made once they came to LSU. Coaches implement Olympic training techniques to prepare the women for the rigors they will face in the game.
While in season, three days a week are dedicated to full-body workouts that include cleans, overhead lifts and a variation of squats. The other two days focus on speed, acceleration and agilities.
“Everybody wants it,” Magee said. “Everybody wants to get better. It motivates you to want to get bigger and stronger.”
Using the same workout plan as Alex Morgan and Hope Solo can help when running up, down and across a 75 by 120-yard field for 90 and sometimes 110 minutes.
Strength and conditioning coach Ryan Filo said although he helps with the training of the athletes, the motivation to get better and stronger comes directly from the womens’ attitude and work ethic. The team uses the philosophy “mind over matter.”
“When we run I’m constantly working on technique with them, no bending over, being mentally tough,” Filo said. “That’ll go a long way with them, especially going two overtimes like we have done already [five] times this year.”
Early success by many of the freshman players can be credited to the player’s motivation. Many freshman athletes were in Baton Rouge the entire summer, which pushed them ahead of the rest of the newcomers who didn’t arrive until the end of the summer.
The players say the dedication to becoming a faster and stronger player comes from the increasing role soccer now plays in their lives.
“Soccer here is your life,” Maffei said. “You go to school for soccer.”
