Oh Canada!
September 06, 2006 09:51 AM | General
September 6, 2006
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - For most college kids summer break is a time for rest and relaxation: a time for fun in the sun and nights out with friends. It’s a time to wind down and recharge the batteries from the stresses of the previous season.
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| WVU's Amanda Cicchini spent her summer playing for Team Canada in the U-20 World Championships in Russia.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks photo |
Just don’t tell that to West Virginia sophomore center midfielder Amanda Cicchini.
The Oakville, Ontario, native spent her summer training and competing for Team Canada in the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Championships in Moscow, Russia. Cicchini, who has previous international experience playing for Canada in the last World Championships, says she enjoyed her first trip to Russia.
“Just being in Europe and being in Russia and experiencing the different culture … it was really cool. It’s a really historical looking place. We got to tour a little bit and go shopping which was nice. Overall, I really enjoyed the place,” Cicchini said.
Cicchini, who played in all three games within a challenging pool of teams comprised of Nigeria, Finland and China, believes her international experience will help her tremendously as she goes through the season with WVU.
“Experience is the main thing,” she said. “I think playing at that level against those types of very talented, skilled players will help me when I return to the field with my team (WVU). Being able to play against top international competition always prepares you. The games were very hard and intense.”
While the sophomore admits that she is more of a defensive midfielder, she did find the back of the net in the Canadians’ 3-2 opening-round loss to Nigeria.
“It was off a free kick and one of our players kind of lobbed the ball in our box and I got my head off and headed it into the goal. I am more of a defensive player than offensive so it was surprising to score and even more surprising to score with my head,” Cicchini said. “I figured if I did score a goal, it would at least be off a shot. It was really exciting.”
Cicchini believes that while the team was more defensive minded last year, this year’s squad is looking to attack more. That attacking nature is certainly evident so far this season. The Mountaineers (4-0) have outscored their opponents by a combined 16-1 on the way to Top 10 status in both Soccer America and Soccer Buzz.
“Last year we were more defensively based but this year we’re off to a great start and I think offensively we are really going to threaten the other teams,” she said. “We have a lot of good attacking players this year so I can see us turning it around and being very good offensively.”
Cicchini, who describes her strengths on the field as her first touch and winning 50-50 balls, thinks this West Virginia team can make some serious noise in the Big East this season.
“I have pretty high expectations for our team this year because we have a very talented and strong team and I can see us doing well. I honestly think we can be at the top of our conference,” she said.
“If we keep playing at the level we are playing at right now and keep improving and working hard, I can see us winning our conference. I believe in our team that much and hopefully we can do well in the NCAA Tournament,” Cicchini said.
After another great international experience Cicchini is glad to be back in the Mountain State with all of her college teammates.
“I love it here. I love my team and I love everything about this place. I am really happy right now,” Cicchini said.
West Virginia has a big test coming up this Friday night playing at No. 7 Penn State. On Sunday, you can catch Cicchini and her teammates in action when they play host to St. Bonaventure.
Kick off at Dick Dlesk Stadium is set for 12:30 p.m.
