Women's soccer implements new tactics for success

Senior co-captains MadisonSchoenbeck and Suzanne Kimble — both of whom are center midfielders — are aiming for success in this year’s Women’s Soccer season. Last year, the team earned their 19th title as CCIW champions with a record of 15-5-3, but their run into the National Tournament ended in the Sweet 16, with a 0-2 defeat from University of Chicago.

Optimism ebbs throughout the soccer team with nine new additions, making up a roster of 27 strong, healthy players.

“We are very young. I think 19 or 20 of our 27 are freshman and sophomores and they’re good players,” says Head Coach Pete Felske.

Switching up the formation pattern to set heavy numbers in the midfield, Felske is confident in his team even though he says that it will be the biggest change implemented this season.

Even so, the move seemed like a clear decision despite this formation being new to both the staff and players. Felske shared that “the reason we did it (created a new formation) besides personnel is that we wanted to have a better control of midfield and I hope this helps us do that.”

With returning player Schoenbeck, a senior All-American, a successful season is understandably within reach as well as a solid run into the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournament.

With their sights set on preparing for the upcoming season, captains Schoenbeck and Kimble hope to push the team confidently through every win and loss, leaving less time for frustration and offering more time for celebrating their victories.

“The past few practices have looked really good,” says Schoenbeck. “We have some really solid freshman that came in this year … they have a good head on their shoulders.”

Freshman players Aeva Graber, Nicole Wrightvand Jensen Ellis are anticipatedvto make a great impact on the Women’s team. Returning sophomore Sarah Tomich will help lead the defensive line and Isabelle Oliver, returning leading scorer, will lead the charge offensively.

Felske remarks on the leadership of the eight seniors, two of which are captains, saying that “corporately [the senior group] is a huge influence on our squad. With big numbers, they get along well-they’re really solid,” says Felske.

Conference season will begin this weekend for the Women’s Soccer as they travel to Md. Their schedule consists of nationally ranked teams such as the University of Chicago and Illinois Wesleyan University which will push the 2018/19 squad to success.