AshfordAthletics.com went behind the scenes as the 22nd-ranked and NAIA National Championship-bound men's soccer team gears up for its opening-round matchup on Saturday against Benedictine College (Kan.).

First Team All-Midwest Collegiate Conference senior forward Eddie Garza of Rockford, Ill., took some time to write a blog focusing on the team's mindset, preparation and mentality heading into Saturday's match at 1 p.m. He led the Saints on the offensive end with 14 goals and recorded three hat tricks this season.

Enjoy the first installment from Garza as the Saints make their push to Fresno, Calif.

The days have been counting down until our big match on Saturday against Benedictine College. This late into the season, my confidence is at its highest. With what our team has accomplished so far, the team success is pushing us to want more. We don't know how to lose and losing is not an option this weekend.

(Ashford Head) Coach (Richard) Markham has been preparing us physically as well as mentally. I feel the mental part will play a big role in how we will play this weekend. We need to go into the game with a positive attitude, winning mindset and with heart. As for the physical part of the game, Markham prepares us well. Monday was a 45-minute running practice. We did not see a ball. The plus side was that we got to run inside. Coach told us we need to be able to run 45 minutes non-stop. I felt good after that practice because the whole team didn't complain and we really pushed each other.

Tuesday, we had the pleasure of running - again. It was a short practice, but we did get to see the balls, even though we did not use them. We know being in top shape is to our advantage. We have won many games this year because we have been able to drain the other team in the late stages. Coach took more time to talk to us and made sure our heads are in the right place. He told us what we need to do and if we do that, we will walk off with the victory.

Markham is a great motivator, he makes us believe and work extremely hard. We know nothing will be given to us, so we have to take it if we want it. Right now, the national championship is not out of reach for us. We just need to get past all these teams in our way. We know we are one many top teams in the nation, but we have something more you don't find in a lot of teams. What that is I don't know, but it has to do with the personality on the team. We have accomplished something that not a lot of programs have and hopefully it's something that will happen at this institution. I think that plays a big part to our success.

On Wednesday, we practiced at the ‘bubble' in Davenport. That was to our advantage since the bubble has turf and it allows us to prepare for the Augustana field since it is also turf. Before practice Channel 6 news came to interview Coach, Nick De Backer and myself. The interview shows that we have accomplished a lot this season and people want to see us go all the way. When practice started, we played quick, small-sided games that had us moving the ball well. We play a fast paced offensive game so turf benefits us. The coaches got involved which pushes the team to be more competitive. Coach Markham saw how productive we were at the ‘bubble' so he decide to schedule practice their again for today.

I'm nervous for this game just like I have been in the past for any other game, but I feel it's more anxious than nervous. We will walk off victorious and take that trip to Fresno, Calif., to compete for the National Championship.