Foxhoven Gets Some Love on NCAA.com

Portland has been perfect on the season with the exception of an upset by Texas A&M at home on Sept. 18, but both Smith and Foxhoven said the loss helped the squad refocus on their ultimate goal of winning a national championship.

“That was telling of the season and an important part of what we’ve become because of how the players responded to it,” said Smith. “They realized our possibility and chances of doing well this year after we were missing three of our National Team players last year and somehow managed to get to the NCAA quarterfinals. The expectations of this year’s team were high, but they may have been resting on their laurels a little bit at the beginning of the season and culminating with the loss to Texas A&M.”

“It was a big learning experience for us,” said Foxhoven. “After that weekend, we all knew we needed to reassess where we were as a team and as individuals, and reassess our goals for the season. It wasn’t a setback because it was a huge learning experience for us. So far, it’s turned out to be a great thing.”