Jason Walker, UP Sports Information Director
Great Falls, Mont., September 2, 2022 – After two matches and another week of practice, the University of Providence women's soccer team will take to the pitch against Cascade Conference foe Rocky Mountain College in a non-conference matchup Saturday afternoon. While the first two games did not go how the Argos would have liked, there is much optimism within the team and the coaching staff. This season is one of growth for the Argos after second year head coach Heather Blandford hired assistant Lindsay Smith and brought in a talented group of freshmen.
Providence (0-2)dropped its first two matches by a combined score of 7-1, but do not let that margin fool you. The Argos have been competitive while transforming themselves into a unit that plays together on both sides of the ball. Shots have been there on offense, while the defense has been steadily improving and Blandford says that while this is still a year of transformation, she is excited about what she has seen in practice and matches, "There is a good foundation of tactical understanding from our returners. Our starting point this year is higher than a year ago. The IQ of the players we brought in, the talent level of the players and the athleticism of the players we brought in to join us this year, was at a better level. I feel overall our team concepts such as understanding how we defend as a team, how we attack as a team is in a better spot.
"We brought in a really strong group of young players that are there to push our older players to perform at their best. We are just looking every day to get better at what we do. We are focusing on us from a performance standpoint, making sure we are at our best whether it's practice or games."
Saturday's matchup at home against Rocky (0-2) is a chance to continue that growth as the team builds towards conference play and a playoff run. The match at Argo Field starts at 3 PM. Fans are asked to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated as temperatures are expected to rise to at or above 100 degrees during the match.
For live stats and to watch, visit www.upargos.com.
