Women's Soccer Team Hopes for Victory After Severe Losses
Evan Harris
In the words of a famous musician, “Sometimes, you got to lose to win again,” and right now, this is exactly what the women’s soccer team needs to hear.
So far this season, the ladies stormed the field and braved six games. However, the odds have not been in their favor, as they currently stand 0-6 overall. So, what does this mean for the athletes and their coaches?
As always, the team and coaches are finding ways to improve. Kelsey Ropp, senior forward and mid-field player, and Maggie Carpenter, senior left-back player, did not let the losses discourage neither themselves or the team. Rather, they think there should be a different strategy than the one used previously. “I think we lack communication on the field, and I think that’s the main problem,” Carpenter said. “That’s an area we need to improve in.”
Carpenter and Ropp also shared one of their toughest games from earlier in the season. “Oh, Trine… they were a very good team, but we played as hard as we could,” Carpenter said.
Roop agreed: “There were moments where we just broke down on the field.”
Despite the major upsets and tough competition, Assistant Coach Katie Beal believes more practice and making improvements on teamwork are steps in the right direction. “There is something unique about each player, and they all bring different qualities,” Beal said. “Right now, we just have to take things one day at a time and make some minor improvements over time.”
Beal also believes a strategy change is not necessary for success on the field. “I just think we’re trying to change a culture (of soccer), a mentality,” she said. “Basically, we’re trying to make it (strategy) look the way we want.”
As for the outlook on the rest of the season, the ladies remain optimistic for a victory. “Going back to it, we need to be more communicative with each other and work as a unit, a team, that’s the only way to improve,” Carpenter said.
Beal is optimistic that her team will claim a victory this season, and has higher hopes for next season. “A new season brings new challenges,” Beal said. “We hope to set up a nice recruiting class for those who are interested.”