BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech women's soccer player Nicole Kozlova has certainly made an impact with her most recent call-up to the Ukraine Women's Senior National Team, who is currently in the midst of UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifiers.
She just helped the team move into third place of Group I, and put the squad into position to at least advance to a six-team playoff for a shot in the finals that will be a 16-team field competing from July 6-31, 2022 in England.
"Going into the two matches we knew what had to be done and that we couldn't leave with less than six points," Kozlova recently said. "It was also easy to think about the upcoming games that are all must wins. However, we had to make sure that we focused on each game before thinking ahead into the future."
Ukraine drew an unfavorable first two matches in their group, having to face world No. 2 ranked Germany (behind only the United States) back-to-back and fell in both, 8-0, then lost a hard-fought battle to world No. 31 Republic of Ireland, 3-2.
Starting with three straight losses was not ideal, however knowing exactly what was needed, world No. 26 Ukraine got back to its winning ways with its most recent matches – Sept. 18, 3-1 victory over Montenegro and a Sept. 22, 4-0 win over Greece.
Kozlova, now with seven CAPS, helped the squad to those six points, earning a start in the match against Montenegro on Sept. 18, and then coming off the bench against Greece on Sept. 22 to score twice, including the game winner, in a 4-0 victory.
"Starting the match with Montenegro was very exciting and it was hard to contain all my emotions," Kozlova said. "Not only was I starting for the national team but this was also my very first game back since March. I was just so happy to be back on the field doing what I love.
"When I was coming on as a sub in the game against Ireland, I was told one thing – 'Score.' Thankfully I did just that. Honestly, it is hard to describe what I felt when I scored the first and, then a second goal. Initially, I was flooded with emotions but then I got hit by relief. The team is winning, I have done my job and we keep going."
📹 of @KozlovaNicole's goals vs. Greece pic.twitter.com/35oSwcmbcB
— Virginia Tech Women's Soccer (@HokiesWSoccer) October 12, 2020
Ukraine currently has six points, trailing Ireland by seven, but that critical second matchup between the two sides is set for Oct. 23 – a home match in Kyiv – and a win gives Ukraine the inside track to a second-place finish and will secure the team at least a spot in the playoff for the finals, if not directly advancing to the finals.
The team will finish with Greece on Oct. 27 and Montenegro on Nov. 30, obviously winnable games, while Ireland would have just one remaining match against Germany, who beat Ireland 3-0 in the first meeting.
"With the next camp starting October 19, everybody is back right now with their clubs," Kozlova said. "However, I know in the back of everybody's mind is the upcoming game with Ireland. We all want to win and are ready to give it our all. In the next few weeks it is important for everybody to stay healthy and once camp starts be ready to play and battle."
Kozlova is currently in Ukraine between the two camps and qualifying stages, and is staying with family as well as one of the national team coaches Natalia Zinchenko, who offered to train her in between camps in order to develop and improve her game.
She is also still enrolled in classes at Tech, taking a 15-credit course load. All of her classes were already on-line which offered little adjustment and since she has traveled so much in her previous semesters, she was well prepared to complete the semester overseas.
"It has been an interesting experience living in Ukraine to say the least," she said. "Every country lives their lives a bit differently and it takes some time adjusting and learning what the locals do. Something that I have picked up on and love doing is going to the rynok, which is similar to our farmer's market, but happens every day and is much bigger.
"I have been getting fresh fruits and vegetables as well as chicken and bread. I really do miss Blacksburg though especially my friends. I have tried my best to stay in touch over FaceTime but with busy schedules and a seven-hour time change it can be difficult at times."
Kozlova will be returning to Blacksburg after that Oct. 27 match versus Greece and will hope to rejoin the Hokies as soon as she is allowed, due to the protocols and testing as a result of COVID-19.