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Women's Soccer Participates in Fall Media Day
August 10, 2021 | Women's Soccer
Head coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes and goalkeeper Gabby Kouzelos addressed the media.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville women's soccer head coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes and graduate goalkeeper Gabby Kouzelos spoke to the media at the annual Fall Sports Media Day on Tuesday afternoon.
The Cardinals host an exhibition against Ball State this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Louisville's first regular season contest will be a home tilt against Western Michigan on Thursday, Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Head Coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes
(On the comfort of knowing you have Gabby Kouzelos as goalkeeper.)
"Gabby is absolutley outstanding. She is an All-ACC level goalkeeper, she is an All-American level person, she is a tremendous leader for our program, she gets what our identity is and how we want to play and can vocalize that to the entire team. She gets who we are and embodies who we are. She coaches the younger players to be who we are. Gabby can stay for another 12 years if we can figure out an NCAA rule to get her back."
(On how playing last spring without Emina Ekic helped them prepare for this season.)
"There's no question there was a, 'who's going to fill Emina's shoes type of feel in the spring'. To play a split season, where you have a fall and spring schedule, is really difficult to do when you lose your best player or the one you build your whole system around. In the fall we had the success that we had and I thought it was a great year for us. In the spring, we went with the same team without our superstar and we really had to recreate our identity which was difficult. But, as I look at our preseason, the biggest x-factor has been our first-year kids. They are energetic, they are positive, they are competitive, they are quality. They are all really good and they are going to play an integral role on the success we have this year. We have nine freshmen and infusing the team with nine talented freshmen has been a big factor for us."
(On starting the season with the first three games at home.)
"We design it that way because we want to be home in the nicest facility in the country. I feel like I've said that for the last six or seven years, but it still is the nicest facility in the country. We want to be here, we want to show off who we are to our fans and build a base of people who keep coming back. This year, with us having free admission, I think that's huge and a great decision by Vince (Tyra). What a great way to get people out and together in the stands."
(On her mindset heading into the season.)
"I'm energized. I feel like we're in a good spot. We have to continue to get better on figuring out what our identity is. We pride ourselves on our team defending and our pressing, and I feel like that is in a very good spot. This year I feel like we have a composure on the ball that we haven't had before. We have several different attacking styles in the final third which is something we haven't had in years past. I think we could be pretty exciting to watch."
Graduate Goalkeeper Gabby Kouzelos
(On how she's helping the newcomers get acclimated with the program.)
"We are very fortunate to have a lot of new faces come in. It's been a crazy year so it's kind of a breath of fresh air to have these new faces. You've seen me play for awhile now and my voice is something that I take a lot of pride in. So, just being able to get to know the younger kids and building relationships with them off the field, so that when we get on the field our communication is that much better. The big thing right now is just showing them how Louisville women's soccer plays."
(What does it feel like to come back for your sixth year?)
"Yeah, I've been here for a long time. The girls call me 'grandma', the girls call me 'meemaw'. It's pretty funny. But, I have been here, this is my sixth year. I think what comes with that is a sense of calmness. But, there's a sense of urgency, as well. This is my last year and I want it to be great. I'm very proud of the development and growth of the program during my time at Louisville and now I just want to finish it out strong."
The Cardinals host an exhibition against Ball State this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Louisville's first regular season contest will be a home tilt against Western Michigan on Thursday, Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Head Coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes
(On the comfort of knowing you have Gabby Kouzelos as goalkeeper.)
"Gabby is absolutley outstanding. She is an All-ACC level goalkeeper, she is an All-American level person, she is a tremendous leader for our program, she gets what our identity is and how we want to play and can vocalize that to the entire team. She gets who we are and embodies who we are. She coaches the younger players to be who we are. Gabby can stay for another 12 years if we can figure out an NCAA rule to get her back."
(On how playing last spring without Emina Ekic helped them prepare for this season.)
"There's no question there was a, 'who's going to fill Emina's shoes type of feel in the spring'. To play a split season, where you have a fall and spring schedule, is really difficult to do when you lose your best player or the one you build your whole system around. In the fall we had the success that we had and I thought it was a great year for us. In the spring, we went with the same team without our superstar and we really had to recreate our identity which was difficult. But, as I look at our preseason, the biggest x-factor has been our first-year kids. They are energetic, they are positive, they are competitive, they are quality. They are all really good and they are going to play an integral role on the success we have this year. We have nine freshmen and infusing the team with nine talented freshmen has been a big factor for us."
(On starting the season with the first three games at home.)
"We design it that way because we want to be home in the nicest facility in the country. I feel like I've said that for the last six or seven years, but it still is the nicest facility in the country. We want to be here, we want to show off who we are to our fans and build a base of people who keep coming back. This year, with us having free admission, I think that's huge and a great decision by Vince (Tyra). What a great way to get people out and together in the stands."
(On her mindset heading into the season.)
"I'm energized. I feel like we're in a good spot. We have to continue to get better on figuring out what our identity is. We pride ourselves on our team defending and our pressing, and I feel like that is in a very good spot. This year I feel like we have a composure on the ball that we haven't had before. We have several different attacking styles in the final third which is something we haven't had in years past. I think we could be pretty exciting to watch."
Graduate Goalkeeper Gabby Kouzelos
(On how she's helping the newcomers get acclimated with the program.)
"We are very fortunate to have a lot of new faces come in. It's been a crazy year so it's kind of a breath of fresh air to have these new faces. You've seen me play for awhile now and my voice is something that I take a lot of pride in. So, just being able to get to know the younger kids and building relationships with them off the field, so that when we get on the field our communication is that much better. The big thing right now is just showing them how Louisville women's soccer plays."
(What does it feel like to come back for your sixth year?)
"Yeah, I've been here for a long time. The girls call me 'grandma', the girls call me 'meemaw'. It's pretty funny. But, I have been here, this is my sixth year. I think what comes with that is a sense of calmness. But, there's a sense of urgency, as well. This is my last year and I want it to be great. I'm very proud of the development and growth of the program during my time at Louisville and now I just want to finish it out strong."
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Women's Soccer
GK
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