Seniors on the men’s and women’s soccer teams both celebrated 2-1 victories over Whittier College Oct. 21 during homecoming and family weekend. The wins improved both team’s standings in the SCIAC.
Men’s soccer captain Evan Karp (senior) said the game went really well.
“We started off with a lot of possession, a lot of energy, we were really excited for the day,” Karp said. “I was pretty amped up.”
Karp said the game was special because of a variety of factors: senior night, homecoming weekend and the overwhelming support from friends and family in the stands.
“There was a lot going on: senior night, last game of the season, OLA [(Oxy Labor Alliance)],” Karp said.
During the men’s soccer game, the Occidental Labor Alliance (OLA) was present in the stands wearing red to bring awareness to the low wages paid to Occidental’s dining staff. Some members of the men’s and women’s soccer teams wore red wristbands in support of OLA.
“We’ve talked to OLA about trying to get involved either postseason or now in some way,” Karp said. “We wanted to show some form of solidarity.”
Marcus Chmielewski (senior) said that the game was special because it celebrated the seniors’ four years of devotion to the program.
“I think this one was really special not just because of the protest, but just the amount of work that went into making it special for everybody,” Chmielewski said. “We had fans not just from seniors, but from all over, who came and helped prepare balloons and decorations and the whole school came out.”
Chmielewski said that recently the team has not seen success to the same extent as they did earlier in the season, but the game against Whittier really turned things around.
“We haven’t been scoring enough goals recently,” Chmielewski said. “What we did really well against Whittier was that we made a lot of chances with 30 shots, and we were able to get goals because of that.”
Chmielewski says that the team performed really well and that they hope to continue the winning streak.
“We didn’t change any of our strategy going into that game,” Chmielewski said. “We wanted to continue what we’ve been working on all season.”
After winning against the University of Redlands 2-1 Oct. 25, the team is now standing first place in the SCIAC. According to Chmielewski, Occidental will host a SCIAC semifinal game.
After the men’s victorious game, the women’s team went up against Whittier. Kate Potvin (senior) said that going into the game, they knew they had to win because there was a lot of excitement surrounding the game and it was a special night for the seniors.
“Freshmen, and everyone on the team, put on a really special pregame celebration,” Potvin said. “We got these really thoughtful scrapbooks from the team, and they just made it a really special night.”
Potvin also said that the presence of their loved ones really increased team morale.
“Having friends, family, loved ones in the crowd I think also really played into just everyone wanting to do really well,” Potvin said. “Obviously we got that win which was really important.”
Kyra Bethune (senior) says that the team gave it their all which resulted in high team performance.
“Our performance during our senior night was one that was very clearly full of passion,” Bethune said. “Everybody gave their 100 percent in every single minute of the game, no matter whether or not they started the game or came off the bench.”
Bethune says the team shifted from a 4-3-3 formation to a 4-4-2 formation which is more offensively focused and helped the team secure a win. As a center midfielder, Bethune says she faced some challenges during the game. Being in the 4-4-2 formation against a 4-4-3 meant that Oxy had two center midfielders against Whittier’s three. Bethune said she and fellow center midfielder Malia DeCastro (sophomore) had a lot of communication to make sure they were being effective and conserving energy.
“That’s the strategic challenge in doing a 4-4-2 when you are a center midfielder, you’re [a number] down.” Bethune said. “Overcoming that was a challenge, but we were able to accomplish it with a lot of hard work between us.”
Potvin says that Alessia Sacchi (first year) and Lauren Cassel (first year) scored spectacular goals and credits their goalie, Ingrid Odmark (senior) for helping.
“Everyone worked their behinds off, and I think when we connect and work smart on the ball while also being offensively dangerous, I think we can see a lot of success,” Potvin said. “I think going forward, we just need to end the season strong.”
According to Bethune, their spot in the semifinals was contingent on beating CalTech Oct. 28. The game ended in a 2-2 tie, therefore keeping them from the semifinals. Bethune said that everyone had an emotional investment in their senior night game.
“Whether or not you were a senior and it was going to be your last official home game there, or you were an underclassman and wanted to make this night special for everybody involved, everybody really put their heart into it,” Bethune said. “It was just an environment that was so full of love and appreciation for each other that we’ve cultivated this relationship over this season together.”
Contact Karen Palacios-Echeverria at palacioseche@oxy.edu
