MANAGING EDITOR – SOPHIA KUSSEL
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT 4 2023
This week, the Rattler sat down with coach Driggs to get an insight about the upcoming Lone Star home game and St. Mary’s women’s soccer team. The women’s soccer team’s Fall session is well underway, making this home game a drop-in-the-bucket.
The team is poised to change up their formations this game but they have yet to be revealed. Coach Driggs discussed the change, stating “We’re going to change our formation. If we can execute that change in our formation, that’ll help us a lot. I feel like we’re really good players, we just need to execute a little bit more on and what it is we’re trying to accomplish. So, whether it’s finishing or crossing, or whatever the situation might be, it’s just execution, and just working hard at this point will get us pretty far.” This home game is anticipated to be similar in feel to previous games in the session, as the women’s soccer team is in conference. The players have become familiarized with one another and understand their team and the individual challenges they are yet to face. This game will show how hard the players have worked up to this point. Coach Driggs noted, “The challenges are the same. Can we work hard enough and can we execute what we’re doing? That’ll be a common theme throughout the rest of our year.”
As this upcoming game will be a home game, the St. Mary’s Soccer team should have the advantage. Playing at home provides a physiological benefit, as players are familiar with the venue and aren’t required to travel, and the players have more support from family and local fans. Although St. Mary’s lost the last game, this could provide muchneeded motivation for the team to redeem itself. As Coach Driggs said, “Obviously at home, we feel like we should win all our home games. Doesn’t matter who we’re playing. You know, it sounds egotistical, but it’s the truth.” In soccer, the home team is reported to win at least over 50% of their games according to the NIH.
In terms of team motivation, Coach Driggs said, “Motivation to continue to play in the postseason is a big motivation. To play at home in front of their parents as big. Our administration has put a lot of money into soccer, so to play in front of our administration should be a motivating factor. And then just, you know, committing to something you signed up for would be, the ultimate motivation for me to get them to really work with what they say they love to do.” Motivation is the driving force behind action and is essential for athletes to reach their full potential on the field.
Players often use game day rituals and routines to help them stay focused before the game. Sports rituals boost athletes’ self-confidence and provide a greater sense of control. A good mindset is important before a game, as going on the field with any uncertainty can jeopardize a player’s performance. They help players feel connected with their team, and more secure. When asked about team rituals or routines, Coach Driggs replied, “There are a couple, yeah. They like to listen to their music really loud in the locker room, and, you know, they do stuff like that. We do a warm-up that’s pretty similar. Every game, they do some stuff at the end of the anthem and it’s all kind of the same every week. So there’s some– I wouldn’t say superstitions– but there’s definitely some patterns that they follow to get them ready for each game.”
As the Lone Star game draws near, the women’s soccer team works harder than ever in preparation. Their resiliency, consistency and home-field advantage should come in clutch soon.