The women's soccer team tries to snap a four-game losing streak this weekend when they face Notre Dame and DePaul on the road.
Seton Hall goes into the weekend with a 6-8 record, including a 1-5 record in Big East play. The Pirates have struggled away from Owen T Carroll Field, going 1-6.
Seton Hall is facing two tough opponents in Notre Dame and DePaul. Notre Dame comes into the weekend undefeated in Big East play with a record of 5-0 and an overall record of 9-3-1. DePaul has struggled a bit in conference play thus far, coming in with a record of 2-3 and an overall record of 7-6-1.
The team's struggles as of late have been caused by a lack of consistency, according to head coach Kazbek Tambi.
"We've lost a bit of our consistency early on," Tambi said. "We were pretty consistent game in and game out and as of late we've gotten punished in games for mistakes in the back and other teams have capitalized on our few mistakes. On the other side of the equation, we need to score more goals. So mistakes happen and then sometimes you let in goals but on the other side of the field if we're putting them away then it's less of an issue, but at the moment we've been quiet on the offensive end and making a few mistakes in the back and that's why we're in this tough boat right now."
Despite the fact that the team plays a very aggressive style of play, one that leaves a lot of holes in the defense, Tambi does not believe that has affected the outcome of any games.
"Most of the goals that we've taken against us have not necessarily been on counter-attacks,' Tambi said. "I think more would be on mistakes that have been made, either technical or tactical mistakes at given important times versus counter-attacks.".
Looking ahead into the weekend and at the rest of the season, Tambi once again stressed consistency, and a winning mindset.
"We need to step on the field with the mentality that we are going to be consistent for 90 minutes and we need everybody to step it up at this point," Tambi said. "It's crunch time with each game and we need everybody having their 'A' game, so to speak, and it'll be a total team effort that's going to allow us to get back on track."
Tambi did not pinpoint any one player that needed to lead the team. Rather, he said that everyone needed to step up their game in order to get a victory.
Tambi said he respects Notre Dame's team and acknowledged that it would be a battle, but focused on having the thought that the team can win any game.
"(Notre Dame) may be the strongest team in the league," Tambi said. "At this point they've won all of their games, but we always step on the field very optimistic and feel like there's a way you can pull it off, and certainly we're going to go to Notre Dame with that mental outlook and put it all out on the field."
Freshman Crystal Thomas of Notre Dame leads the team in points with six goals and one assist.
DePaul has recently been giving their freshman goalkeeper Alejandria Godinez some starts. She has allowed only two goals in five games.
The Pirates play Notre Dame at 7 p.m. on Friday and DePaul on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Brandon Biskobing can be reached at Brandon.Biskobing@student.shu.edu
