The women’s soccer team at Union University kicked off their preseason with a 2-0 win in an exhibition match against Rhodes College last Saturday, Aug. 24, at the home field of Smith Memorial Soccer Complex, leaving the team optimistic for the season to come.
“I felt like the first half was a very nervous game of soccer, and then we settled down and started to play the game of soccer,” said Scott Sinclair, women’s soccer head coach. “So for me, it was a joy to sit and watch the girls do what we have been working on.”
This is the team’s second season under Sinclair, known to the players as “Sinky.” As the Lady Bulldogs headed into the game, Sinclair set up two principles for his team to succeed. First, he challenged each player to give 100 percent and her best effort. Then, he told the team to look for the next pass in order to keep possession of the ball.
“Going into the match, I was hopeful,” said Sinclair. “I did not know what we were going to get or what we were going to see based on the short period of time we had to work with a new group of 13 new players coming in from last year and trying to teach them some of the new tactics and formations.”
With 13 new players on the team, 12 of those being freshman, it is hard to predict what the culture and dynamic of the team could look like this season. However, the girls have dispelled those questionable tensions by being intentional about building a bond that will go beyond the soccer field.
The bond of trust and sacrifice was even evident in the game last Saturday as both junior goal-scorers, Jaya-Naomi Wilson and Candace Haney, celebrated in a group huddle filled with affirmation and excitement about the hard work and focus it took to achieve the win.
“I think we have a better team than last year, and I feel like all of the freshman fit in well,” said Erin Crew, sophomore defender. “I think we also have a good understanding of what Coach Sinky wants us to do. He wants us to play around the back and possess the ball.”
A few of the key players for the women’s soccer team this season will be Wilson, a junior sports management major, and Kirstie Jackson, a sophomore athletic training major. Wilson has dominated on the attack as an outside-midfielder and capitalized on goal-scoring opportunities within games, and Jackson has made herself a known presence in the holding midfield position as she has the vision to place through balls up in the attack.
Another key player for this team will be Rylee Iorio, a freshman mathematics major and goalkeeper, who has started off the preseason strong in goal by making intense saves.
The next home game for the Union Women’s soccer team will be on Friday, Sept. 27, at 5 p.m. against Spring Hill College, so be sure to go out and support your Lady Bulldogs.
Photo courtesy of Neil Cole
