Guerrieri details upcoming matches vs. Mizzou, No. 8 South Carolina

Key notes from G Guerrieri interview

• We have been thrown a lot of curveballs. It starts with last year and all the injuries we had to our strikers and goal scorers that kept us one game away from being one of the higher-seeded teams in the tournament. Then you have kids leaving to find greener pastures in their minds. Then, replacing 11 starters and with them, we have some key cogs that have been lost for the season. The physicality of the SEC. We are weaving and bobbing as we navigate the next challenge. The next one is tomorrow when Missouri comes to town. It is a game we are excited about. We had a great performance against them last year. It is a game we need to recover and get ourselves back on our feet. There is no better place to do that than Ellis Field.
   
• The win over Texas was a great opportunity for people to see what this team is all about. The speed we played, the passing and tenacity... That is what they’ve been doing when no one is watching. That is what it's going to take now for us moving forward. We are probably without Leah Diaz for the season. One of our best defenders is Mia Scranton. Plus, you have Taylor Jernigan out. Some other knocks and pings. The tires are still on the car, and we are trying to get through. Win this game. We are on our way. You can't win two before you win one.
   
• I think this team was shocked by what had happened with the injuries. It had a huge effect on the game and the goals we gave up. They bounced back. It is a group of really positive players that are here to do big things. This is going to be one of the big things I think we can accomplish.
   
• Scranton was a huge part of that. So has Bella Yakel, who is our captain. She transferred in from the University of Portland. She has been outstanding as the team captain and leader of the defense. The last two goals were set up by her on free kicks. Riley Crooks, who is a freshman, has played just about every minute of the season. She’s started every match, and she is a coach's kid. She has done a great job as a teammate. She is an incredible athlete and has done a wonderful job out there.
   
• Hattie Patterson, a transfer from Ole Miss, gives us the left-footed creativity. We have two more freshmen in the starting lineup: Lucy Landherr, who was recently injured, but we expect her to return tomorrow. Then Tessa Lavender. She has been injured for most of the season. She was able to come back last weekend. She will step in for Scranton and carry the load over there. It has been a group that has been vibrant about going about challenges and taking them on.
   
• Tim Strader, our new coach, has been wonderful with them. Keeping them positive, how to learn from mistakes, and that is a big part of what we want to get out of games. The goalkeepers have been really solid all season. They’ve been one of our strengths. We have two of them, and unfortunately, they can’t both be in at the same time. We pride ourselves on our defense. It plays to our abilities. We will go at it. Thursday is a big game. Additionally, we play a top-15 team in South Carolina. They have a great crowd. They are trying to win the SEC, so they will have their tail feathers up and ready for us.
   
• Missouri comes in. They’ve lost their last six games. They are coming in as wounded animals. We have to be careful of that. We have to go into the game on our front foot. Stefanie Golan is their coach, and every time we play them, it has been incredibly tight. Last year, we won on a scrappy goal, winning 1-0. Before that, we had a draw, and the same before that. Both teams have good defenses. We need that support. The energy that comes from the 12th Man. The energy we had against Texas was amazing. That is one of the things that gets you over the hurdles. These women have been working and sacrificing. I hope the 12th Man can sacrifice a couple of hours and come to Ellis Field.