Lipscomb women’s soccer team inspired by U.S. women’s World Cup championship

Lipscomb women’s soccer team inspired by U.S. women’s World Cup championship

Lipscomb’s women’s soccer players got a big boost by watching the U.S. nation squad win the World Cup. Lipscomb’s women’s soccer players are thrilled by Sunday’s 2-0 championship victory over the Netherlands, the second World Cup championship in a row, since the U.S. women also won in 2015, the preceding tournament. It is the fourth World Cup championship for the U.S. women since the legendary ’99ers captivated the world 20 years ago. “During the World Cup, it was exciting to see people who don’t play soccer be so engaged and supportive of this women’s team,” said Logan McFadden, a sophomore defender. And it wasn’t just the excitement of the fans, “hearing sports broadcasters and newspeople talk about the change and popularity they have brought” adds to the thrill, she said. Of course, when a team is expected to win, things could backfire quickly if the women had lost, according to McFadden. “All that hype and stardom they had received would have turned against them.” The pressure didn’t slow down the U.S. women, she added. “Each game I watched, I saw the amount of fight they had and it was as if they knew the trophy wasn’t going to be handed to them, and the closer they got to the final, the harder they fought. They have proven they are the best and they deserve to be treated like it. “And now that a ton of more people saw that, there is no denying it.” Hannah Torbett, redshirt junior midfielder, said she’s simply inspired, “because I know how far the women’s game has come.” And, to her, it’s almost like...

2014 World Cup pits soccer’s best against one another for global crown

After four long years of waiting, the 2014 FIFA World Cup will finally be kicking off Thursday afternoon, and soccer fans everywhere are rejoicing. With the hopes of an entire nation on their back, 32 teams will be travelling to Brazil with their 23 best players in tow. All will be in pursuit of the most prestigious championship trophy in all of sports. I will be highlighting some key players and teams to watch whether you are a die-hard soccer fan or a relative newcomer to the sport. I will also be making my prediction for who will come out on top. Players to watch: Leo Messi, Argentina: The winner of four FIFA Ballon d’Or awards in a row from 2009-2012 (soccer’s equivalent to an MVP award) is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the game, despite only being 26 years old. Although he has dominated for his professional team FC Barcelona, he has struggled in international competitions. This may be his best shot at the elusive World Cup trophy. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal: The reigning FIFA player of the year, like his rival Messi, has seen success in international competitions fall just short of his grasp. Can the two-time Ballon d’Or winner put Portugal on his back and carry the team deep into the tournament or will we see a flame out in the group stage? Gianluigi Buffon, Italy: Heading into his fourth and likely final World Cup, many consider Buffon the greatest goalkeeper of his generation. Buffon and teammate Andrea Pirlo are the only two remaining members of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad. The two will...