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“If we win one of the games, we’re probably in [the playoffs], but it would be nice to just win both and leave no doubt.”

And if the team has their way, no doubt will be left in anyone’s mind as to whether Hamline deserves one of those coveted playoff births. Hamline’s next two games are going to be tough, but that hasn’t gotten to them in the past. This year the team has shut down some of the best teams in the league, including overthrows of both St. Thomas and St. Johns universities.

Last Friday they took on Gustavus Adolphus on the road. Gustavus is known for their blistering speed on
the field, so Hamline will need to play from their positions not necessarily in them, said Coutts. This will help the Pipers’ defense, which is made up of layers. In order to get good scoring chances Gustavus will have to penetrate through each of these layers. If his team reads the game well, Coutts believes these layers can slow Gustavus and cut down on scoring chances.

Gustavus’ field is wider than most, which makes it seem like players have to run further to get to the ball.
The switch will be a big adjustment for the team, but it’s one that coach Coutts believes will come if his team plays their best. It’s important that the team get a feel for their opponents this week; Gustavus could very possibly be the first team that Hamline will meet in the MIAC tournament.

“We’re just a good team no matter where we play,” said Coutts.

“It doesn’t help us to go there, but they don’t have the advantage. It doesn’t matter if we play them on our field, their field, or in a parking lot. We just play well.” Scores were unavailable as of press time.

Next, the team will take on the College of St. Olaf at home. Unlike Gustavus, who has great speed as a team, Coutts wants his team to watch out for the individual offensive firepower of St. Olaf.

“Olaf may not be in that top four right now, but they have every right to be in the playoff conversation,” says Coutts. “They’ve got a lot of power, and we’ll have to deal with that.”

Again, the Pipers will look to their defence to stop St. Olaf’s powerful forwards while trying to push the ball up to Hamline’s own powerhouse offense.

The Helling twins, Hamline’s leading scorers, will be a powerful force in both games, as they’re the team’s leading scorers.But they are not the only threat the Pipers pose. Hamline has a strong outside game, with wings Steve Dupic, Josh Faust, and Jason Engedal, also help hold up the offense. That means the Pipers can attack from the center or from the wings, and can do so in a variety of different ways. By keeping the offense lively and making creative plays Hamline hopes to keep up with its high intensity, high scoring ways.

“There’s no one way we deliver the ball [for a scoring chance], so we can keep our opponents off balance,” said Coutts.

Hamline has been playing very balanced soccer, with a strong layered defense and a forceful and varied offense. They’ll also look to goal keeper Andrew Clement to make some big saves, as the competition is only going to get more fierce.

The Pipers have proved this year that they’re top class material. This week they hope to grab one of those four playoff spots and make Hamline history. Coach Coutts believes his team is capable of marching their way into the record books, but it won’t be easy.

“Neither of the schools we play this week present any problems that we can’t address as a team,” said Coutts.