The field hockey team competed in two games over the weekend, coming home after two disappointing losses.
Despite the losses, however, the team maintains an optimistic attitude and is excited with the high level of competition early in the season.
The Tigers' two matches this weekend are a testament to that optimism and competition. The Tigers opponents, University of Mary Washington and Christopher Newport University, were two of the top ranked teams in the nation.
The 11th ranked Tigers are now 1-3 on the season, and two of their losses came in matches that saw the Tigers dominate one or more area of the game.
In their 3-0 loss to Christopher Newport, the Tigers outshot the Captains 16-10, as well as holding a 12-8 edge in shots on goal.
Additionally, the Tigers played Mary Washington, a team that had won its previous two games by a combined score of 20-1. The Tigers lost 3-1, and hung with Mary Washington in an even matchup. Despite losing the match the Tigers were only outshot by two as well as only conceding two more corners than their opponents.
After losing both matches, junior Maggie Campbell said the Tigers do not feel they have not lived up to expectations for the year.
"This is a new team," she said. "We are not the same team we were last year, but we are learning and building every day." Clearly the lack of positive results does not diminish the team's confidence.
The Tigers appreciate the early opportunities to play top teams.
"We knew going in to the weekend that the competition would be at a very high level," Campbell said. "We've never played such competitive teams so early and these games are great building blocks for the rest of the season."
Junior forward Paige Henry also commented on the Tigers constructively slow start.
"Obviously it's tough because we were 22-2 all of last season and we've already lost three games, but we've wanted a tougher schedule for years and these games prepare us for the most important games this season: conference games," Henry said.
One aspect of the Tigers' game that needs improvement is their intensity in the first half.
"We have been a second-half team so far this season, and that needs to change," Henry said. "We're a new team and we're learning every day so that should come with experience."
The Tigers look to bounce back this Saturday and Sunday as they take on Kenyon College and Denison University at home.