The excitement is palpable at Baujan Field this weekend as the Flyers women's soccer team will play host to the visiting teams from Rutgers and Duke.

Each of these highly anticipated guests are considered to be rich in both talent and skill. The first of the two games will be a primetime matchup at 7:30 p.m. against Duke at Baujan Field. Duke, which is currently ranked 12th in NSCAA/Adidas top 25, has a strong program and plays in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The second and final game of the weekend will be at 1 p.m. at the same location and will feature Rutgers, from the Big East.

However, the Flyers rode the heroics of sophomore Kelly Blumenschein as she tallied her second game-winning goal of the season as the team continued to build momentum as it defeated Michigan 3-2 last week. The Flyers, who are 3-1 on year and are currently ranked 5th in the NSCAA/Adidas regional rankings, hope that winning both games this weekend will help bump them into the national top 25.

When asked about the importance of this weekend and its impact on both the program and the season, senior goalkeeper Deana Waintraub said, "Oh, of course this would add great momentum in taking on our conference schedule. After having played with Illinois last week, we have been proving ourselves. Taking on Duke and Rutgers will continue to push our program and augment our play."

The team hopes that by bringing in elite-level talent the fans will reward them with increased attendance levels. As Coach Tucker said, "The fans have been fantastic, and as a sign of respect to them, the program and the facility we should have the right to see top teams. Maybe we can set some attendance records this weekend."

The players also enjoy the friendly confines of Baujan field. Waintraub commented on the fan support by saying, "Not only do we play for ourselves but we play for our supporters. The feeling that I get when I run out of the lineup as my name is called by the announcer and hearing the roars from the crowd sends chills down my spine. I would definitely agree that the Flyer Faithful and Red Scare create the ultimate setting for us to perform in."

Although both of the visiting teams are talented, the Flyers are confident that scouting and preparation will prove to be the difference maker and will lead to more goals in the end. As Tucker said, "Yes we have to prepare for each opponent. As far as adjustments we just have to make tweaks here and there, such as working on our positioning and limiting goals on set pieces such as goals on corners and free kicks."

When asked how they would prepare for the differing styles of play offered by both teams Tucker said, "We have to rely on scouting to help us with our formations and style changes because you always have to be able to adjust."

Plenty of the Flyer Faithful will certainly descend upon Baujan Field this weekend and bear witness as the Flyers try to crack the top 25 in the country for the first time this season.