Towson University Athletics

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Women's Soccer 8.19.2011

Hillin and Co. Draw Inspiration from 2011 USWNT

Try to remember where you were on July 10th. Can you do it?

Maybe this will help.

Yes, the violin shredding is a little odd...but surely you remember now, right?

Of course you do.

The Towson Women's Soccer team? They remember, too.

Not only do they remember the thrills and eventual heartache passed down from the U.S. Women's National Team during the 2011 Women's World Cup, but they also remember the event as an opportunity to rally around something in the offseason. A simple, ongoing online chat provided an avenue for not only the veterans to keep in touch, but also introduce newcomers to the mix as the U.S. Women's National Team edged their way to the finals of the 2011 Women's World Cup.

"We really brought the freshmen in with that chat, got together to play pick-up and it was really good to have constant communication as a team," said senior midfielder Annie Hillin. "I feel like summers before that, we never really had that. We'd come back and a few of us would have talked, but (this past summer) we really got to know each other early."

Stronger chemistry and tighter bonds - forged both in the summer and during spring training sessions with Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning, Kilee Taflinger - are just two of the reasons why Hillin feels her senior season will be the team's most productive of her career. Hillin readily admits that Taflinger's methods were a "rude awakening" but recognizes the transformation that has taken place.

"Kilee is awesome," Hillin said. "I feel like she definitely changed this team. We always worked hard as a unit, but with her it's a whole different level.

"We always say we love her and hate her at the same time because while we're doing it, it's not fun," Hillin added. "But, as soon as we're done, we're thanking her because we're so fit."

Chemistry? Check.

Fitness? Check.

Motivation?

That came in the form of this week's CAA preseason poll where the Tigers were picked to finish 10th – tied with Delaware and one spot above Drexel, which was picked to finish 12th. Merely mentioning the poll brought emotion from Hillin, who made it very clear she and her teammates felt disrespected.

"We saw it," she said. "We posted it up in our locker room and we were like, 'This is what they think of us and we have to prove them wrong.' We have to show them how hard we worked."

Motivation? Check.

The Tigers won't begin CAA play until late September, but their first opportunity to prove the doubters wrong comes Saturday at the Tiger Soccer Complex. Towson hosts Loyola at 5:00p.m., looking to avenge last season's 3-2 loss to the Greyhounds, and start the entire Athletics Department's season out on the right foot.

Will it be Hillin's right foot that leads the Tigers to victory? As a center midfielder, Hillin may not get the chance. But, if these ladies want to truly emulate the U.S. Women's National Team, someone will have to use their head - literally.

The next step will be convincing Coach Greg Paynter to play the air guitar like Pia Sundhage.

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