The Chico State women's soccer team has been playing good ball lately. They're 7-3-3 overall, 1st place in the CCAA North division and ranked 21st in the nation for division two.
Right in the middle of their success has been the play of Ali Sward and as Action Sports Ross Field tells us, Sward has done all she can to make this season a memorable one for herself and the Lady Cats.
On the soccer field, Ali Sward is like an energizer bunny, her motor just doesn't quit. And it's fitting because the Senior Forward prides herself on being in good shape and during this past off-season, she took her commitment to fitness to another level. Now the hard work is paying off.
Ali Sward says, "fitness comes first and then you play soccer because what you're doing most of the time is running and I mean on the off season I try really hard to stay in shape, eat right, do things like injury prevention kind of things that help me."
Over the weekend Sward accomplished something no Chico State women's soccer player has ever done, notch a point in seven consecutive games. Head Coach Kim Sutton thinks Sward's success has everything to do with making sure she's in the right place at the right time.
Kim Sutton adds, "well you're absolutely right, she's at the right place at the right time, she works really hard and understands the game, the flow of the game and the timing of her runs so that's super valuable."
Ali Sward says, "it's just seeing the field and knowing where my players are and what needs to be done. I don't know, it probably started from an early age. I'm the youngest of two older siblings and they played lots of sports when I was little and I didn't play until I was in middle school and I watched a lot of sports and even though iI wasn't really paying attention I think I was and I kind of just saw what's good and what needs to be done. I don't know, I'm a visual learner, so.."
Sward's game has definitely been sharp. However, she'll be the first to tell you that her teammates deserve just as much credit for her achievements.
Ali Sward says, "its nice because I can count on them and depend on them. on the days that I struggle they can pick up the slack too and they're strong players that play well up top."
As of right now, Chico State seems like a lock to make the post season and if they continue to play good soccer, you can guarantee Sward will be right in the middle of that success.
