Frogs face challenges on Cincinnati’s field

The women’s soccer team opens its Conference USA schedule this weekend on the road, where it will be tested in two games on unfamiliar playing surfaces.

Head coach David Rubinson said the team practiced off campus on a turf field Wednesday night to prepare for its first conference game today at Cincinnati. He said he had the team practice on the turf because he wanted the players to become familiar with the surface, which is a little bit faster than what they are used to.

Rubinson also said he had a feeling the field could be wet, causing the ball to skip more than usual.

“We gave up a goal last year because the ball had a bounce,” Rubinson said. “No matter what the conditions are, you have to be able to adjust to the opposition. Sure they have the advantage because it’s home field. We’ve got to live with it and the bottom line is that we’ve got to go and be prepared to face whatever the odds.”

The Frogs traveled to Cincinnati Thursday and practiced on the Bearcats’ field to get used to the unfamiliar surface.

Senior defender and captain Rebecca Repasky said Sunday’s game against DePaul will also be a challenge because the field is located extremely close to the university and is surrounded by buildings.

Repasky said there is one building that is so close to the field that it has crash pads on it in case players run into it. She said one corner of the field has a mud surface because it also serves as a baseball field.

Repasky also said the team will have to overcome a major mental distraction with railroad tracks near the field.

“(DePaul’s) field is one of the worst playing conditions probably in the U.S.” Repasky said. “We’ve been mentally preparing this week. The coaches have been reiterating that this is it, this is crunch time of our season, where it all begins.”

— Olga Bograd