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SPORTS
12
WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM
Women’s soccer team learns, grows,
perseveres through disappointments
BY JULIET MAGOON
Staff Writer
As women across the world kick through
glass ceilings and stereotypes, so does the
Guilford College women's soccer team.
The women' did not have as many wins
as players had hoped for. However, the team
feels they have improved as a whole.
'The season didn't go as desired," said
junior and captain Tess Stryk.
"We grew as a team and as individuals.
We've continued to improve on the field
cmd had a much stronger showing during
conference play."
These 19 persistent and tireless women
used everything they had this season.
The players refused to give up despite the
mounting losses, demonstrating qudities of
determination and humility.
"We were the team that played every
second, to the very end of every game," said
junior and captain Kelli Uresti.
"One thing that we developed is team
jlope
chemistry. We all love each omer, and we
bond on and off the field ... we will continue
to work on our skills and our movement on
and off the ball."
Early in the season the team had a rough
start while they learned to play as a unit.
But, as the season progressed, something
clicked.
"We had a very open and honest team
discussion about what we thought was
holding us back," said junior Tali Petkov.
"All of a sudden, we were playing as a
united front rather than as individuals."
The change in chemistry was exemplified
on senior night.
"We were down 2-0 going into halftime,"
said Uresti. "During the break we just
decided to come togedier no matter what the
result."
"We told Carma, our only senior, that we
were going to play the second half for her.
And we did. We won the game 3-2."
Many of the players mentioned their
performance on senior night — a game that
not only boosted morale but also unified
the team.
- --T \ ■ •
'■VS*.'-'-,
Women’s soccer played against Shenandoah University on Oct. 11 at the Armfield Athletic Center.
"We kept pushing and creating chances
to score," said women's soccer head coach
Michael Shenigo.
"We ended up coming back and scoring
three goals, with the last one coming with
under four minutes to go."
The team ended the season with a 2-16-1
record.
Repeated losses dampened players'
spirits. However, they refuse to let it ^fect
their growth as a team.
"Each loss we had was a disappointment,"
said junior Caitlin Young.
"These losses brought us together and
made us work harder."
Sometimes, winning does not indicate the
success of a team, and not all growth can be
measured by wins and losses.
"We may not be the best team from the
start of the season, but that all takes time,"
said sophomore Cassie Vaughn.
"Guilford's football team had to be built as
well, and now look at them. They are serious
contenders in ODAC."
Coach Shenigo had a closing statement for
the team.
"Just keep working," he said.
"It's very easy to coast through things
when you're not winning. But I never felt
that the players were just going through
the motions ... It takes a lot of heart and
dedication to keep fighting."
As the players step away from the fall
season, resting their aching feet and weary
legs, they made a conscious decision to
praise each other.
Excitement for next season gleams in their
eyes. They reflect on this season as a turning
point for the team.
"It was definitely a 'growing' season,"
said Uresti.
"We didn't get the result we wanted, but
we improved, and I am looking forward to
next season."
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