Author: Trace Wallace and Alex Graves
Last year the Lady Tigers had their most successful soccer season in over a decade. Accompanying this new and improved reputation is the realization that success and high expectations go hand-in-hand. For some, pressure is a buckling force that can negatively affect an athlete’s performance on the field. For others, pressure is something that can be used as a motivator to execute when called upon.
The Women’s Soccer Team seems to be discovering how to cope with high preseason expectations amidst a few rough patches. “The first two preseason losses were a humbling experience for us,” Jesi Sasaki (sophomore) said. Even for the SCIAC player of the year, who led the team in scoring seven goals and four assist last year, Sasaki looks to her teammates for strength and support. She refers to the team’s cohesiveness as a viable foundation. Team chemistry is a great asset as they try and build on last season’s success. One of the teams’ goals this year is to be top four in conference.
“Our team chemistry allows us to go hard on each other,” Co-Captain Starlie Chinen (senior) said.
“It’s nothing personal, we all want the same thing,” Sasaki said. The Tigers will need exactly this attitude to carry them into conference play. When asked what are some lessons and improvements acquired after the first two games, Chinen replied, “We need to get more physical.” “Starting the game slow for us is not an option,” said Co-Captain Marcy Kang (junior).
Physicality and a sense of urgency for the Lady Tigers will be two key ingredients in their recipe for success. After dropping their first two nonconference games to Vanguard (0-4) and Hope (0-1), the Tigers were looking for their first win of the season against the Whittier Poets. They took the field this past Wednesday against the Poets, cheered on by a crowd of about 50 enthusiastic students, and wasted no time getting into the action. In the 21st minute, sophomore Corinne Winkler scored first, giving Oxy a lead they would not relinquish. Oxy scored again in the 34th minute and took a commanding 2-0 lead into halftime.
The second half featured more of the same. Oxy continued to attack Whittier’s defense, and tacked on three more goals, winning the game in dominating fashion, 5-0. Winkler added two more goals to record the rare “Hat Trick,” finishing with three goals in the game.
The crowd clearly enjoyed the impressive display as well. The many students in attendance were constantly yelling words of encouragement and support to their friends on the field.
The Tigers’ exciting Saturday stand-off with La Verne didn’t end up so well, losing 3-2. The Tigers played phenomenally the last ten minutes of the match but ran out of magic in the final seconds. A slow start in the beginning hurt the team and added to the Tigers’ frustration.
The Tigers’ exciting Saturday stand-off with La Verne didn’t end up so well, as they lost 3-2. The Tigers ended the half only down by one goal, with La Verne holding the lead 1-0. La Verne went on to add two more goals, leading to a disheartening 3-0 lead over the Women’s Soccer team.
The Lady Tigers played phenomenally the last ten minutes of the match, scoring two goals to narrow the lead, but ran out of magic in the final seconds. A slow start in the beginning hurt the team and added to the Tigers’ frustration. Maddy Rasch (first-year), said, “The level of play is intense this year.”
“Every team is stepping it up this year,” Sasaki added.
There seems to be no room for complacency. The margin for error is very narrow. Last season’s sour ending in the conference tournament is always in the back of their minds, but the Tigers seem poised and focused to reclaim their spot on top. “We just need to finish,” Rasch said. “We just need to play our game,” Sasaki added.
The Lady Tigers have their next match against Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday, Sept. 27.
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