After failing to make the NCAA tournament last year, the women’s soccer team is highly motivated to improve this season. The Tigers lost in the NCAC tournament and had their bubble burst on NCAA selection day.
The good news is that the majority of the core returns, with an extra chip on their shoulder. Seniors Kathryn Ruark and Bridget Brendza, who both earned post season accolades, look to lead the attack for the Tigers, while all conference midfielder and defender Maddie Baker and Gail Enright hope to sure shore up the spine of the team as juniors.
The team will be taking the field without a couple of All-Conference contributors last year, missing defender Jen Dimos and keeper Riley Riordan who both graduated.
Ruark is optimistic about the season at hand.
“We are looking forward to getting back to the top of the conference standings by using last year as motivation. Our goal is to return to the tournament and that starts with our season opener against the defending national champion,” Ruark said.
Key losses: Goalie Riley Riordan, midfielder Kelsey Cobbs, forward Elizabeth Seewer, forward Liz Fraser, defender Lexy Burton
What to Watch For: Whether or not a solid back four can establish themselves, allowing for Enright to slide back into the midfield.
Best Case Scenario: With the mix of talent, experience, and attitude, this team seems poised to make a run in the postseason.
Worst Case Scenario: They fail to fix their inconsistency and come up just short of the tournament for the second year in a row.