Women's soccer starts conference play

By: Jordan Hedberg
Contributing Writer

Last weekend proved to be a challenge for the young women’s soccer team as they fell to Central College on Sept. 15 and tied Coe College on Sept. 16 in the last weekend before conference play.

“The team is very young and these first few games have helped us discover our strengths and weaknesses,” commented assistant coach Dick Johnston.

The team is changing their strategy toward a defensive formation shift that should help with putting together a strong offensive counterattack and create more scoring opportunities. Scoring opportunities are exactly what the Scots needed this weekend when they lost to Central College 3-0. The two teams battled it out in the first half, which ended 0-0 with both teams almost even in shots on goal.

Some highlights of the game included the good play from freshmen Sarah Wintersteen and Megan Meeke, who have played solidly all season for the Scots.

Sunday started strong for the Scots when they took on Coe College in a defensive battle that ended in a tie. Junior Sarah Kisner drew first blood when she scored a tremendous thunderbolt free-kick to put the Scots up 1-0. They would hold the lead until the second half when the Kohawks scored on a quick counterattack, the only goal given up by the Scots in the    1-1 tie.

The Scots started conference play on Sept. 19 when they traveled to Illinois College to kick off the race for the playoffs. In a high-scoring affair, Monmouth defeated Illinois College 5-2 to start conference play off with a bang, giving them a 1-0 record in the MWC.

The first four goals were scored by four different MC players: Kisner, Meeke, sophomore Lauren Vana and freshman Niki Sue Williams, while the Scots’ fifth goal was recorded as an own goal off a corner kick.

The team has a good chance at getting into the conference championship with their young talent and work ethic.

However it will not be an easy road with the tough athletic teams of Grinnell and Carroll College, both of which are strong programs.