The women's soccer team is training hard during the preseason, and is looking to return this season with a stronger offense in the hopes of having an outstanding year.
"I think last year, in terms of play between the 18s, we were a top-10 team," said head coach John Carter, referring to the 18-yard goal box. "We just didn't score enough to get results. We weren't dangerous enough, creative enough and dynamic enough in front of the goal."
Last season the Tigers finished with a 10-7 record (6-4 in the SCAC). The Tigers shot more often than their opponents, averaging over six shots more per game.
They also averaged over three more corner kicks each game. Yet despite these astounding statistics, the team only scored seven more goals than their opponents throughout last year's entire season.
"We need to put them in an environment where they are challenged both individually and collectively," Carter said. "[In practice] we put them in a game-like environment with lots of touches on the ball, lots of opportunities to take risks and solve problems."
Carter is looking to have his team rely more on each other than the coaches. That idea, he said, is critical to building chemistry both on and off the field.
"You have to let the players interpret the game themselves," Carter said. "When out on the field you can't have them relying on the coaches. They need to rely on their teammates."
For incoming freshman Kali Harrison, it was a big step coming from high school play into the faster paced college arena. She is looking to her teammates for guidance in order to follow on the right path to success.
"It's exciting being with a new team and in a new environment but it can be overwhelming trying to adjust," she said. "It's great that the girls are highly dependable and always supportive on and off the field."
The Tigers return this season with more experience and team leadership, hoping for an improved season.
"We can be a very good soccer team this year if we can score enough to make it a special season," Carter said.
The Tigers will face their first test tomorrow at Boswell Field in a 2 p.m. scrimmage against Hanover College.