By Sean Fitz-Gerald
Lavernne Hudson, coach of Ryerson’s women’s soccer team, has three words to describe their performance last year: “It was stinky.”
But Hudson is optimistic and hopes to erase the memories of a winless season.
“I think we’re going to have a pretty good season,” Hudson says. “The girls feel confident that things are coming together.”
Last year teams like Ottawa and Queen’s beat up on Ryerson with scores of 8-0 and 7-0 respectively. Hudson expects the Rams will be tougher this season, both physically and mentally.
“The last couple of years we’ve been pretty laid back and pretty lenient. We’re not going to take it anymore.”
The Rams barely had enough players to fill all 11 positions on the field last season, but Hudson had 25 women try out for the 16 positions available on this year’s team.
One of the things Hudson admits may hurt her team’s chances is the demanding travel schedule both Ryerson soccer teams face.
“The athletes for soccer have a really tough time because we have to travel an hour and a half to get to our home field (Birchmount Park in Scarborough),” says Hudson.
“All the other universities fall out of bed and they’re on the home field, we don’t have that luxury,” she adds.
The Rams have played well in their two exhibition games, narrowly losing to Brock University 2-1 and tying Centennial College 2-2.
These results have bolstered Hudson’s optimism for the season.
“I don’t think Ryerson’s going to be a pushover at all. We’re going to shock them. We’re going to take it to them.”
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