Oct. 25, 2012
BERKELEY - Using success on the field as a marker, it's no secret that the Cal women's soccer coaching staff continues to excel year in and year out. The Golden Bears are currently riding an eight-game winning streak and have been to the NCAA Tournament in each of the past eight years. But another yard stick for measuring coaches is how they interact with their student-athletes, and head coach Neil McGuire, associated head coach Patrick Baker and assistant coaches Kelly Sack Baker and Cori Alexander are some of the best in that category. CalBears.com polled the Golden Bears to find out why playing for the Cal coaching staff is so rewarding and what some of their favorite coaches' sayings are.
Lauren Battung -
Last summer I caught Coach Baker singing to himself, "I'm a hustler baby," which is a line from a Pharrell song, and I couldn't have agreed more.
Celeste Boureille -
When Coach McGuire says, "This year is ours." The word "ours" means "Bears" in French.
Jenna Brennan -
The best part about playing for the Cal coaching staff is knowing that they support us and will do everything in their power to help us succeed. They want to win just as badly as we do.
Taylor Comeau -
All the Cal coaches have multiple sayings, but the best part of playing for this staff is that they truly want to help us be the best we can be.
Genessee Daughetee -
The famous Neil McGuire song lyric "Love on the Rocks." The best part about playing for the coaching staff has been that they really take the time to get to know the players, and practice isn't always super serious. A lot of the time they are cracking jokes with us on the field.
Mekenna DeBack -
The best part about playing for the Cal coaching staff is the support and confidence they have in every single player and in the team to do their absolute best.
Kelsie Dickerson -
The best part about playing for the coaching staff is their expertise. Every practice I learn something new, and all the coaches are very good at clearly explaining what they want us to do on the field.
Kaitlin Dickmann -
One of my favorite sayings is when Coach Baker says, "It's like the parting of the Red Sea." Playing for this coaching staff has been a pleasure and an honor. I have learned so much in the time that I have been here from this coaching staff, and I'm thankful for all the time and effort they put in to look after us and help us grow as soccer players and as a team.
Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick -
My favorite saying of Coach McGuire is when he says, "That's delicious," when he thinks a play/shot/pass is just so good. My favorite saying of Coach Baker is when he says, "Part the Red Sea," when he is referring to spacing on the field or a gap to play a through ball. Coach Alexander is always saying funny things, so nothing in particular is coming to mind.
Elliott Gentile -
The best part about the coaching staff is that they know how good we can be and they want us to do our very best so they are always pushing us. They are not content with anything less than 100 percent.
Amanda Glass -
My favorite coaches saying would have to be "cheeky." The best part about playing for the Cal coaching staff is that they provide a diverse and a fun, yet serious, environment for our team. Oh, and I love PB's drill: Chip Head, Chip Volley, Chip Anything Goes!
Karly Graf -
The best part of playing for the Cal coaching staff is how dedicated and passionate they are each practice and yet always find time to joke around with us and have fun.
Betsy Hassett -
I love it when they have us play lightning bolt shooting. That game is so fun!
Lauren Hein -
Cori Alexander is awesome! She jokes around and teases us, which is fun, but she also pushes us to our max and makes us the best we can be.
Lorin Hom -
You can really tell that the Cal coaching staff put all their effort into helping us in any way they can. It's easy to want to play for people like that
Emily Kruger -
Cori always says "Don't hit it with your purse," when we are serving balls to each other and one of us kicks it softly. I love that. She's been a phenomenal addition to our team. I owe so much of my progress as a goalkeeper to her coaching style: just the right balance of push with understanding. I've been able to find my confidence because of her.
Kory Lamet -
The best part about playing for the Cal coaching staff is that they know the game and make us work hard but also know how to have fun outside of the lines.
Emi Lawson -
One of my favorite sayings we hear a lot is, "Needless to say." The best part about playing for this coaching staff is that they are respectful of the stress that the sport puts us under and are always looking out for our health and that we maintain balance in our lives.
Grace Leer -
I love all my coaches; they all bring different elements to the game and to training, and I appreciate all they do. The best part is having fun and at the same time trying to win a championship.
Sandra Ley -
They're always saying, "ANY QUESTIONS?!?" The best part about the Cal coaching staff would have to be their passion for winning and their humor.
Ariana Martinez -
Since I transferred here, the Cal coaching staff welcomed me immediately with open arms and has been amazing thus far. Everyone is so upbeat, positive and helpful. They truly strive to help us grow as individuals on and off the field.
Celeste Martore -
One of my favorite sayings is "Lock On."
Rachel Mercik -
I would have to say my favorite line is from Coach PB. It's actually not a line, but an English accent that we talk to each other in. It is mainly used when we are talking about the best team in the world, Liverpool.
Ifeoma Onumonu -
The best part about playing for the Cal coaching staff is that unlike other coaches who believe in running their players into the ground, every drill we do has a point and is important to specific aspects of the game.
Nina Pederson -
The best thing about the coaches is that they want the best for us and from us. They know what we are capable of doing, and if we don't show it, there's no question they will tell us.
Samantha Walker -
They create a great environment for us and are very supportive in terms of things on and off the field.
Samantha Witteman -
I really enjoy playing for the Cal coaching staff because they are always positive and helpful without criticizing. It is always positive help, and while making us work hard they make practices fun.
