The Gophers are 1-3-1 in the conference so far. Their future matchups will only get more difficult.
Senior midfielder, Tatiana Cunningham, said one of the ways they prepare for those games is by pushing each other in practice.
“We cannot just show up for the game and try to do everything well,” Cunningham said. “We have to get everything done during training, and have those standards for ourselves during training.”
The Gophers’ soccer team is 5-5-1 in their season so far with their next game being against No. 28 Wisconsin on Oct. 4.
The Gophers started off their season ranked No. 24, with hopes to follow in the success of the 2024 season. However, the team is struggling to contend in the Big Ten.
Cunningham said it is important for each player to know what their jobs are so they can perform at their best.
Cunningham is a transfer from San Jose State University, she is a co-captain in her first year as a Gopher and put on the Big Ten preseason players to watch list.
The Gophers have a few new transfers this season, one of which being junior defender Keegan Schmeiser. Schmeiser is a transfer from Penn State.
Schmeiser said another way the team prepares for more difficult opponents is to believe in themselves.
“We trust the teammates around us and everyone that’s involved in our team that we can perform if we do what we need to do,” Schmeiser said.
The Gophers still have high expectations for the season. Both Schmeiser and Cunningham see areas in which they think the team can improve to get out of their three-game losing streak.
Cunningham said the team needs to work on staying consistent.
“Not even just game-to-game consistency, but within the game,” Cunningham said. “Playing the full 90 minutes consistently, where we are doing our best the entire time and competing the entire time.”
Schmeiser added on to Cunningham’s statement about consistency.
“There are little glimpses where we are not locked in completely, and that is when we get punished for our mistakes,” Schmeiser said.
Though the Gophers are ready to keep improving and competing, Cunningham wanted to highlight one of their biggest strengths, their backline.
“The backline has definitely been our strongest,” Cunningham said. “The way we defend has been our strongest. Now I just think it is about doing that everywhere on the field.”
A lot of the Gophers’ big games are at home this season, including their game against No. 28 Wisconsin, and No. 10 UCLA. Schmeiser said playing home games reminds her that they are representing the state of Minnesota.
“When you look in the stands and there are little girls, and everyone who looks up to you,” Schmeiser said. “It is very inspiring.”
