Coach's Corner

Yale Herald: Alabama-Birmingham is the top-ranked team in the South region. Can Yale win?

Brian Tompkins: UAB is an excellent program; they have very good players and an outstanding coach. They will be tough to beat, but we're confident that if we play well, we can play with anybody. This will be a valuable learning experience regardless of the outcome.

YH: Tulsa player Mario Gonzalez has single-handedly scored more goals this season than Yale has overall. Who will be guarding him when you play Tulsa this weekend?

BT: That will be determined after we have completed scouting reports and decided on our starting lineup. Tulsa has a number of very good players, and we'll need to focus on more than one individual.

YH: Your last three games were cancelled due to our national crisis. Do you feel your players are mentally ready to resume competing this weekend?

BT: The players and staff have been very sensitive to the plights of those involved and affected by the awful events of Tues., Sept. 11. It's a difficult time for all of us, and we have resolved to focus and put forth our best effort when representing Yale, and to try to balance the challenges of demanding competition and emotional uncertainty. In the great scope of the national tragedy, sports may seem trivial. However, they may be a useful means for people to begin to get back into their routines and resume their lives. The players will be ready to represent Yale to the best of their abilities.

YH: Do you think that being the host team will give Yale a home-court advantage this weekend?

BT: It's always good to play at home; there is a level of comfort that comes along with familiarity with your surroundings and being in front of your own fans. On the other hand, the caliber of our guests this weekend will make it a very small advantage.

—Melissa Blakeley

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