Quotes From Washington-Portland Match
November 23, 2007 | Men's Soccer
NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament - First Round
Portland at Washington
Nov. 23, 2007 - Husky Soccer Field - Post-Match Quotes
Washington head coach Dean Wurzberger:
General Comments:
On closeness of the game: "I knew it was going to be close. We know each other very well. We've seen each other five times and played each other already. You're going to get a close game. In general, that's what you're going to find in those situations. I thought the key was to bring our wide players into the game more because they're very tight defensively down the middle of the field. They were giving our two forwards very close attention. It was very hard to break centrally, so we emphasized width."
On UW defense: "Stephen [Fung] came up with a couple of big saves to keep us in it. We defended well. I have to commend the effort of Casey Cunningham, our holding midfielder. He was just outstanding at breaking down attacks, especially centrally. They're a dangerous team, especially on restarts, so I commend our whole team."
On penalty kick: "There was pressure on our penalty kick taker, our main man. He stepped up and finished it like a pro. That's what we expect of him. I wasn't surprised, but it's still a big penalty."
Washington midfielder Matt Van Houten
On drawing the foul that led to the penalty kick: "I made a run. Across the field, I saw that Raph [Raphael Cox] had the ball. He played one in. I knew that I had just one guy to beat and I took a touch around him. When I got a half step ahead, he had to foul me. Earlier in the game, I missed a shot I probably should have made, but I came back right there and got the PK for us. It's one of those moments where you feel amazing, because it's 0-0 in til the last five minutes and all of a sudden you get a huge break with a penalty kick."
Did you try to set yourself up to draw the foul?: "I tried to just get my body in front of him. That just forced him to take me down."
Washington forward Ely Allen
On taking the winning penalty kick: "If I could explain the feeling I felt when the ball hit the back of the net, I would. There was a lot of pressure on me. The world was quiet. It was a great feeling when the ball hit the back of the net."
Washington goalkeeper Stephen Fung
General comments: "I have to give credit to all of our defenders, especially Casey for controlling the midfield. I only had to make two saves. I'm glad I'm behind them."
Portland head coach Bill Irwin
Opening comments: "They're a good side. It's always tough coming here. My guys played their hearts out. We had a couple of good chances and didn't take them. They got a PK."
On the penalty kick: "The referee said it's a penalty kick and it's a penalty kick. The UW are a very good side -- well-coached with a lot of talent -- and every time we play them, it's a battle. Some days it goes for you; some days it goes against you. Tonight it went against us."
On the game coming down to one goal: "It's gonna be close. You're in the playoffs. It could go either way. You're on the road. We've done very well on the road this year.
