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Lipsher Talks NCAA College Cup
11/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
After downing 23rd-ranked South Carolina and 13th-ranked Georgia over the weekend, the Duke women's soccer team advanced to the second round of the NCAA College Cup. The Blue Devils will next travel to Indiana for a 2:00 p.m. contest on Sunday, Nov. 25. Duke senior goalkeeper Allison Lipsher stopped by this week to chat about the big wins and looking ahead to the match this weekend.
GoDuke.com: Looking back to the selection show a couple of Monday's ago, how excited was the team getting a bid to the NCAA College Cup and to have
a second chance?
AL: We were very excited, we were all huddled around Robbie's [Church] television and when we saw our name in the brackets the whole room erupted in cheers.
GoDuke.com: It seems like this team is really focused now especially knowing that it is win or go home?
AL: Definitely, I think that the possibility of not getting into the tournament has helped us realize the reality of our situation more, which in turn has definitely had a positive effect on the amount of focus we put into the games now.
GoDuke.com: With the team getting lost heading to the South Carolina game last Friday and arriving about 35 minutes prior to game time, did that energize everyone as the team came out on the attack early?
AL: Ha-ha, that was pretty funny actually, and it might have worked in our favor because we had a lot of adrenaline getting off the bus and going right onto the field. Usually we sit around for a while and go over some tactical stuff, but we came out with a lot more energy than usual that game.
GoDuke.com: With the South Carolina game going to penalty kicks, we hear you were pretty fired up before the kicks started and got the team going. Were you just mentally ready and knew Duke was going to pull it out?
AL: I think the whole team was confident going into penalty kicks, but confidence is really important for the shooters during penalty kicks to I figured a little energy to get people fired up and confident couldn't hurt, plus I was just really excited.
GoDuke.com: What is the approach in penalty kicks that you take looking to defend the goal?
AL: I try to get an early read on the kick so I can choose my side, and go early. With the kick being taken from only 12 yards away, trying to wait and give a reaction is almost hopeless.
GoDuke.com: Since arriving back to Durham after knocking off Georgia, what has the team been up to since it is a holiday week?
AL: It seems like everyone has been swamped with work actually, because we had to push back stuff from the end of last week into the beginning of this
week, but now that classes are over for a few days I think that the time to relax and focus on our upcoming game will be helpful.
GoDuke.com: How proud are you of this team after going through so many ties and then coming through in two games so far in the tournament?
AL: I am so unbelievably proud, throughout the whole season the team has fought and with all the overtimes we have had to fight a lot more than a
lot of other teams. I think that this has helped us grow up very quickly as a young team, and I would definitely attribute that aspect of our growth to
our recent success
GoDuke.com: What is so special about this team?
AL: It has been very apparent since day one of preseason that this is a special team and I think that the reason is that we have clicked as a team
more than we have other years. The team chemistry is amazing this year, and I feel really, really lucky to be able to be a part of this group
GoDuke.com: What will Duke have to do to be successful on Sunday at Indiana?
AL: IU proved with their upset over Purdue that they get up for big games and we need to make sure that we do the same. We need to keep on doing what we
are doing and keep fighting throughout the entire game. At this point all the teams are good, and games are going to come down to the team who can stay
focused and keep fighting for the full 90 minutes.
Players Mentioned
GK
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