NCAA Quarterfinals Post Game Press Conference Transcript
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - West Florida coach Joe Bartlinski and Carson-Newman coach Simon Duffy with player Magda Mosengo discuss the Eagles 2-0 win on Sunday afternoon.
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - West Florida coach Joe Bartlinski and Carson-Newman coach Simon Duffy with player Magda Mosengo discuss the Eagles 2-0 win on Sunday afternoon.
Bartlinski Opening Statement: I couldn't be more proud of our team the way that they played, we battled, we worked hard and Carson-Newman is a very good team. The game was two very good teams battling hard. Both teams left there all out there. I thought that we played some great soccer and it's difficult to come up here and play in front of their fans, but I think our players did a good job of standing tall. They accepted the challenge and did a great job.
Question 1: The past two seasons you have been on the road as the lowest seeded team left in the tournament, how have those experiences helped your team grow?
Bartlinski: We are still in rebuilding mode, we graduated five All-Americans and that is pretty special. They didn't show any quit and they battled. Carson-Newman is a very good team and there is a reason why there is a certain number of teams playing at this time of year.
Question 2: What was working so well for your group in the first half of the game?
Bartlinski: We came to play today. We pressed and we kept the ball a good amount of time. Our kids came to compete to get to a final four.
Question 3: You have three seniors on your roster, what is the message to them?
Bartlinski: They did great. They are super athletes and I'm going to miss them. Each individual has done fantastic things for our program and that was the reason we made it this far.
Question 4: For the group coming back, what do you want to see from them coming off another great year?
Bartlinski: It is still early to not think about that, but spring practice and recruiting are always important. Developing this team and having young players learn and developing our backline, but they have grown and matured. Hopefully, we grow and we're back in this round next year.
Duffy Opening Statement: "We're going to the Final Four. Kansas, baby. I don't know, just a strange game. First half, I don't think we played very well and the players were well aware of that at halftime, but, I mean, we just came out, I think, a different team. Two things we were missing in the first half: effort and attitude. I think we had that in abundance in the second half. We just, I don't know if it was just not up for it or just too excited or the moment or whatever. You know, West Florida has been here before. Their coach has been here before, so just glad the girls were able to pull it out in the end. And just two great goals from this young lady (Mosengo) here and we got the win so just delighted.
Question 1: What does it say about Joe Bartlinski team who as a lower seed this season go now from winning their region and making it as far as the final eight?
Duffy: "You know, the seeds and rankings, you've spoke about this, they are what they are. West Florida were the only unranked team left in the competition, but, I mean, they are just a great team. I have the utmost respect for their coach, for Joe. I mean, he's been there, he's done that. Really good coach. Had his girls prepared, and I knew we were going to see a different team than came out against Lee in the first half, in particular the other day. So, yeah, just delighted for our girls to grind in the second half, find a way, and, again, I think we deserved it. We had told the girls at halftime, 'Show me how much you want this.' You know, you get what you deserve and I think we got what we deserved today."
Question 2: What problems did West Florida's defense present today?
Mosengo: "Definitely, we like to play the through ball and we like to play the long ball as well, so it kind of stopped us from playing the game we like to play, and we know that can frustrate the team's defense. So, that caused a lot of problems, but I feel it was able to adjust and use our other strengths than the ones typically use in most of our games."
Question 3: Eight goals in the regular season and South Atlantic Tournament and now seven goals through just three national tournament games. What clicked for you in just the last two weeks?
Mosengo: "I think every game's not promised. The next game's not promised. You have to put it all out there, and I feel like, I don't know, I've just found the vibe. I guess I've got my mojo and I know it's just going to keep sticking with me. We're going to Kansas now. I feel great, and I just hope I can continue doing what I'm doing and allow my energy to just spill for the team and let them feed off of that and have a collective great performance overall.
Question 4: What can you say about the fans and the attendance throughout this weekend?
Duffy: "It's different level, you know, and it's not just great to play at home and have the advantage, but when you have the home field advantage and fans like that screaming and shouting, it's a great atmosphere. It's like a cauldron in here, just the noise and it was fantastic and every bit of it was for us, so it's just an extra bit special, so I can't thank them enough. I was hoping they would come out in force like they did on Friday night today and it's excellent and it's great for these girls just to feed off of their energy if they're maybe just down a bit and needing a bit of a lift or a kick and we got that in abundance today.
Question 5: You get some time to enjoy this. What's going to be on the thanksgiving plate this week?
Duffy: "A bit of everything. A bit of everything, but we'll get some much needed rest over the next few days. The girls will get to go away with their families and be with their friends for a while just to unwind, get away from football for a couple of days and then we'll come back, full-tilled, ready to go and pack our bags for Kansas and go from there."
