Game Quotes

Dec. 11, 2004

Duke Quotes

Junior Midfielder Danny Kramer:
"We gave up the first goal early, and then the second really put us behind. We tried to keep our heads up and stay focused, but we couldn't finish our chances. Tonight just wasn't our night."

(on the size and strength of UCSB)
"We had trouble winning the first ball and trouble holding onto the ball. UCSB is big and physical, and we knew we had to try to match them. They played a great game, and we just couldn't equal out."

Head Coach John Rennie:
"Santa Barbara is a great team, and I hope they do well on Sunday."

"A big part of soccer is finishing your opportunities. We didn't finish our chances and that's on us."

"UCSB has a very good counter attack, are very mature and experienced. They did everything right tonight."

"We had more then enough chances, we just couldn't score."

(on the youth of the team playing a role in the loss)
"A sign of youth is inexperience and inconsistency. You have to avoid giving up the silly foul, but within seconds of kickoff we gave up a silly foul and a goal. You can't do that and win, but that's what happens when you have a young team."

UC Santa Barbara Quotes

UCSB Head Coach Tim Vom Steeg:
"Tonight was an exciting game for us. We've played teams against packed defenses, and Duke was more wide open. We hoped it could help us get going offensively. We played very hard. I thought it was our night tonight."

"We're a very focused group, and we were committed to get to this point in the season. The higher the stakes, the better the game. Big games focus our team even more."

(On Indiana's semifinal game going into overtime- the effect it will have on them for Sunday)
"If the game goes late into overtime, maybe it will be a factor, but not in regulation. Indiana is a physically fit team. We are the two fittest teams in the country. I don't think IU will be cramping with 10 minutes left in the game."

(On the game against IU earlier in the season)
"I told the players 'Remember this game because you're going to see this team again.'"

"We were extra fired to play the ACC tonight. It's the top conference and we were fired up."

"Tonight was our night. Our players enjoyed being out on that field."

(On scoring the first goal)
"Scoring the first goal was critical because they're so young."

(On Tony Lochhead)
"He is one of those players that is excited to come out and play in this environment. He was as good as it gets tonight."

(On Indiana)
"They struggled getting going tonight. But they walk onto the field expecting to win. That's what happens when you win six national championships. I have a lot of respect for their program."

(On playing at their peak) "When you play 88 minutes a man down and win, you come out of it a different team."

"We're not overconfident. We know that we are playing a very good team. We are going to be ready on Sunday."

Senior defender Tony Lochhead:
(On set pieces)
"We work on our set pieces a lot. We have a lot of height and we're pretty dangerous. It's a good offensive tool for us."

(On Indiana)
"They're a good side. When we played them, we had a good first half, and in the second half we were lost. We got on a roll in overtime. They are a complete team. It'll be a good matchup on Sunday."

Senior goalkeeper Dan Kennedy
"I knew with the young backs they had, we would get lots of opportunities. I didn't expect a 5-0 game."

(On Sunday's game)
"It's going to be a battle. We're looking forward to it. We match up well against them."

(On the UCSB fans)
"Everytime you make a play, they're supporting you. This really makes it a home field advantage for us."