**Interview with Coach Sarah Thompson from Friends University Women’s Soccer Team**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach Thompson! We’re excited to hear about your team’s performance in the recent match against Oklahoma Wesleyan. Can you start by giving us a brief overview of how the second period started for your team?
**Coach Thompson:** Absolutely! It was a tough match, and as we entered the second period, we were looking to build on our momentum from the first half. We had some key players on the field, including Nia Baker, our goalie, and some promising attack from Lina Willemsen and Gianna Honda.
**Interviewer:** I see that Lina Willemsen had an early shot that was blocked. How did you feel about the team’s attacking strategy following that?
**Coach Thompson:** We definitely wanted to increase our offensive pressure. Lina’s shot was a good indicator that we were in attack mode. Following that, we had another shot from Amalie Svendsen that was saved by their goalie, Carlota Alcalde. It’s vital for us to keep pushing and create scoring opportunities, and I was proud of how our players responded.
**Interviewer:** There was also a significant moment in the match when Tessa Edwards from Oklahoma Wesleyan received a yellow card. How do those moments influence the game pace?
**Coach Thompson:** Yellow cards can certainly change the dynamics of a game. They add a layer of strategy, as you need to be cautious not to incur more cards while also capitalizing on the opposing team’s mistakes. It’s an opportunity to exploit their potential lack of discipline in defense, and our players were well aware of that.
**Interviewer:** Your team made several substitutions throughout the second half, including Elise Murrietta for Lina Willemsen. How important are substitutions during a match?
**Coach Thompson:** Substitutions are crucial, especially in a high-paced game like this. They allow us to keep our players fresh and bring in new energy and tactics. Each player has specific skills that can impact the game differently, so we aim to match the right players to the moment.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what’s the focus for your upcoming training sessions after this match?
**Coach Thompson:** We’ll focus on strengthening our defensive strategies, especially since we faced a lot of pressure from Oklahoma Wesleyan’s offense. Additionally, we’ll refine our finishing skills in front of the goal. It’s about maintaining our attacking mindset while ensuring our defense is solid.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Coach Thompson! We look forward to seeing how your team progresses in the upcoming matches.
**Coach Thompson:** Thank you! We appreciate the support and are eager to keep improving.
