Defensive Mindset
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – “Offense wins games…defense wins championships”
A quote attributed to legendary football coach Bear Bryant, it is a saying that touches home to most defenders, no matter the sport.
For a sophomore center back on the University of Miami women’s soccer team, Selena Fortich knows this is the case and is continuing to better herself and her teammates across the back line as the Hurricanes prepare for ACC competition.
“I think sometimes people forget defense is a big part of the game, especially when the team isn’t holding on to the ball as much,” Fortich said. “So, I guess [what I would tell others is] don’t overlook the defenders because they always say your best offense is your best defense and you have to have a solid defense in order to have a solid offense. So, we are just back there doing the best job that we can.”
A native of Glen Head, N.Y., the 5-foot, 9-inch, defender is now six matches into her second season at The U and in every match is continuing to become more confident as she is starting to feel fully adjusted to the college game.
“Coming into my freshman year, following club soccer, the speed of play and overall physicality were probably the biggest changes because everyone is just as good as you. And playing in the ACC, the ACC is the top conference, everyone is good,” Fortich said. “So, dealing with the speed of play and learning to be confident on the ball were important, as well as learning to trust my teammates and the process.”
Learning from former Hurricane center back Maisie Baker as a freshman, it is now Fortich’s job as the veteran center back to help freshman defender Mari Horpestad adjust to the team’s philosophy and game plan. And for Fortich, the most important area for the two of them to continue to work on is their communication.
“Communication is such a big key for the back line because we see everything and also have to deal with attacking players on the line. So, I have just been reinforcing with [Mari] that we always have to talk with one another,” Fortich said. “In addition, we can’t hesitate. We either step off the line or drop, because the minute one of us hesitates is the minute we are beat. So, just getting into a routine of communicating, being confident with our decisions and just making sure we keep the ball when we have it.”
For Miami head coach Sarah Barnes, Fortich’s leadership on the back line and her ability to make smart decisions off a turnover have been a couple key factors she has noticed in the sophomore’s development.
“I think that is the thing she has done well. I think that is a hard step up to go from a freshman to sophomore and having to be the vocal leader back there, the one who is organizing things,” Barnes said. “There is a lot of responsibility with that. She is a very outgoing and inherently has more of a loud personality, which certainly helps, but there still has to be some confidence in believing you know what you are doing, and she has that.”
“I think the thing that has been really good about Selena throughout her short career here, is that she is really good about listening to the information we are giving her, taking in the video sessions and applying it in games,” Barnes said. “Even when she has been on the bench, she is communicating what the team should be doing in that instance. I think a lot of players don’t study it as well as she does and that has been big. When she is out there you can see her organizing, you can see her pointing and moving people around. And I think that is important and is helpful for the players that are around her.”
Despite the learning curve, Fortich hasn’t been scared to speak up, especially in her sophomore year, because it is something she says she has been doing her life.
“I wouldn’t say it has been hard. Growing up, I have always been a talkative person and have always taken that responsibility on my shoulders. I think we all need to step up and do that and it is important that we trust one another and that we have each other’s backs,” Fortich said. “We also have faith in one another to do our jobs, as well as talk with one another and help one another out.”
In a final non-conference tune-up against Florida last Sunday, there was a play made by Fortich that goes unnoticed in the box score. With the match tied, 0-0, in the opening half, a Florida attacker made a move past sophomore goalkeeper Tyler Speaks before making a pass towards Laney Steed’s awaiting foot at the penalty kick line. The Gator freshman then sent a blast towards the center of the net, but as the only defender in the area, Fortich made a huge stop and cleared it out of harm’s way.
It was this play and overall defensive presence in the match that stood out to Barnes, and is something she hopes to see continue to grow heading into conference play.
“As we saw against Florida, she will put her body in front of the ball or attacker, she will sacrifice herself,” Barnes said. “I think one of the things that has gotten even better, is that she has become a defender who stops plays. And a thing we were big on last year, continued to put an emphasis on in the spring and has once again been a major focus this fall, is that when you win the ball, whether it is a block or intercepting a pass, we have to keep it. It is not good enough to just clear it. There is a time for [clearing the ball], but when you have the time and space, you have to find somebody on our team, so that we can start the attack instead of having to defend all over again.
“I don’t think we did that as well against Florida as we have done previously, but there were still moments in the game where Selena was thinking about that. And I think in a game when a lot of things are not going well, the fact that the last 20-30 minutes of it, you could see her, when the time was right, win the ball and then would find somebody, was good to see,” Barnes continued. “And again, that is never going to get in the stat sheet, but that is legitimately the difference between us defending for 10-15 more minutes in a game. Which then becomes a fatigue issue on top of more opportunities for the opposing team to try and score. So, I think that is one of the things that people wouldn’t necessarily pick out, but are critical as we continue to move forward and head into the ACCs this year.”
The first conference test for the Hurricanes will be Saturday night at 7 p.m., when Miami squares off against No. 18 and currently undefeated Virginia Tech at Thompson Field in Blacksburg, Va.
“Every game. Every week. We are learning and growing. We certainly are not where we want to be, but we have taken the right steps,” Barnes said. “At the start of ACC play, it is a clean slate. We are coming in here tonight against a good opponent who is undefeated. So, obviously, we have a lot of respect for them. But at the same time, we have a good plan and we know that if we execute it and are conscientious about what they do well, we can absolutely head out of here with a win. It’s a sport, so every game is available for the taking. It is just a matter of making sure the team is focused and that they are ready to compete and fight. There isn’t one team in the ACC who is going to let you walk in and have it, you are going to have to take it. So, it is going to be a hard fought for 90 minutes, sometimes 110.”
For Fortich, she knows how stiff the competition is in the ACC, and knows that the team must capitalize on every opportunity they get.
“It is the ACC, and I said before about the speed of play, everyone in this conference is so good, so we can’t take any team or any moment for granted,” Fortich said. “We have to capitalize. We have to be sharp for the entire 90 minutes [of regulation] and if we go into overtime, we can’t afford to slip up. We just have to be solid and get the job done.”
And as a defender, as great as shut outs can be, Fortich would still love to collect her first collegiate goal Saturday night.
“It would by hype,” Fortich said. “It is always fun, especially when I see other players score and their reactions. I am always so happy for them. So, if I could get a header, that would be nice. But more importantly I just want to get that first ACC win tonight.”
