The Varsity Women’s Soccer team improved to 13-1 Saturday Oct. 23. Their eighth consecutive win was earned with the Logger’s 1-0 victory over the Lewis and Clarke Pioneers.
Sitting atop of the Northwest Conference Rankings, the Loggers have been a leading force in women’s soccer over the last few weeks. However, the Logger’s are not allowing themselves to get comfortable with the lead and continue to fight hard each game.
“Although it’s awesome to see what we’ve accomplished so far by getting to the top of the NWC rankings, we still have lots more work to do. Especially in this league now, any game can go any given way on any day. Rather than becoming complacent in sitting at the top of our conference, this is our time to establish ourselves even more by holding our expectations and standards even higher every day. Whether that is at practice, games, or in the classroom. We expect a lot out of our teammates and the expectations have risen now that we know what we can achieve,” senior Molly Winterrowd (Tigard, Ore.) said.
The Loggers controlled the pitch, outshooting the Pioneers 23-1 leading to a 1-0 victory. Junior Mikaela Freeman (Alameda, Calif.), with an assist from senior Kelly Andersen (Cenennial, Colo.), made the first and only goal of the match in the fifth minute of play.
Sunday’s game, however ended the Loggers winning streak. A 1-1 tie to Willamette came early in the game and although both teams fought for the lead but neither the Loggers nor the Bearcats were able to end the game.
The Bearcats earned an early goal in the fourth minute of the game. Bearcat Stephanie Skelly made a goal from 17 yards out putting the first mark on the board. The Loggers responded quickly when just moments later, junior Christine Isabella (Salt Lake City, Utah) found the back of the net after a corner kick from freshman Lauren Swanson (Eagle, Idaho).
The Loggers outshot the Bearcats 13-6, with 7-1 shots on goal, during the course of the double-overtime match.
The tie, although upsetting, proves that the Loggers cannot get complacent. They will have to battle for the top spot each game they play and play their best each weekend.
“If anything, the most important thing before that game, is thinking about THAT game. Whatever happens before or after it, doesn’t matter. There are so many variables that influence a game and we just have to focus on the ‘controllables’, believing in ourselves and teammates, having confidence from experience, and just being excited to play the game we love,” Winterrowd said.
The Loggers return to Baker Stadium on Senior Day when they host George Fox at noon on Saturday Oct. 30.