Landry Long | The Echo
After having the best program start in school history with a 7-0 record and cracking the NAIA Top 25 for the first time ever, the No. 20-ranked women's soccer team is throttling full steam ahead for the upcoming stretch of conference games.
The streak of wins for the Trojans includes a big win against previously No. 14-ranked Campbellsville. With 11 minutes remaining in the contest, junior Megan Kammer found the back of the net with a game-winning free kick from 25 yards out.
Heading into a string of nine straight league matches, ninth-year head coach Scott Stan believes that his squad has been battle-tested early.
"I actually tried to make the non-conference schedule pretty competitive," Stan said. "We had three teams on there that were either receiving votes or, like Campbellsville, were 14th in the nation. The morale was good because everybody feels like they are connected to what's going on-whether they're a starter or even player 25-(everyone) has a role."
The Trojans are led by senior captains Shelbi Lowe, Fayth Glock and Brienna Kruit. Juniors Nikki Zaino and Kammer are often on the offensive attack, each having three goals apiece on the season. Sophomores Rebekah Schwulst and Bailey Zehr have also chipped in on the scoring with five goals between the two.
On the defensive side of the ball, senior Katie Wierenga has led the Trojans this season. She has started 60 out of 64 games over her career thus far.
Wierenga is pleased with her team's efforts and the positive changes that have recently surfaced but understands the importance of taking the season day by day.
"I think going into the season we had this big mindset of making sure we enjoy the process and taking it game by game, practice by practice," Wierenga said. Being a part of something big that the school hasn't accomplished before is also really exciting to know we're making ground and we're having fun."
For many of the veteran Trojans, the success has been an accumulation of hard work over several years. After an 8-8-3 season last year, the continuous grind has turned the team into a powerful force.
In a discussion with her roommate, Zaino, Kammer realized that an undefeated record can put a target on the team's back. Despite this pressure to keep the streak alive, Kammer appreciates the blessings of being able to play with her teammates and simply enjoy the process.
"I really don't think the record hit us until last night when we found out we were ranked," Kammer said. "Even with that itself it's like, 'forget about the target on our back,' because it's pretty cool, and to just keep enjoying it. I think attitude dictates play in every way."
Going into the next part of the season, Stan stresses the importance of not looking too far ahead but also the value of performing well in conference play.
"If you finish in the top four of the conference, you get to host at least one tournament game," Stan said. "Being able to be at home for one or two games, home field advantage really is home field advantage, and we want to try to put ourselves in that position."
The Trojans will next be in action at Grace College tomorrow. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
"Photograph by Mindy Wildman"
