On Friday, Oct. 19, the Union University women’s soccer team played a home game against Spring Hill College at the Smith Memorial Soccer Complex, winning the game 3-2 and bringing their season record to 6-2-2. The match brought the Lady Bulldogs to what is now a four-game winning streak for the team.
The Lady Bulldogs started the game out with firm control of the ball and an active offensive playstyle, taking four shots in the first 12 minutes of the game before Lucia Revuelto scored the team its first point with an Olimpico goal (a rare kind of goal which is scored off of a corner kick). Spring Hill answered with its own goal, bringing the score to 1-1 at the end of the first half.
“It felt a little bit like a roller coaster,” Josh Alford, the head coach for the women’s soccer team, said. “Right, in those highs, you’re feeling very comfortable, and then on those lows, you become very chaotic and insecure — just like a roller coaster. And, credit to Spring Hill, they had nothing to lose so they went for it and they got some success — put us on our heels.”
The second half was hard-fought, with both teams taking seven shots. Early in the half, Revuelto scored another goal and, less than two minutes later, Carly VanGiessen, a freshman player, scored the game-winning goal. Spring Hill scored another goal before the conclusion of the second half, bringing the final score to 3-2.
The Lady Bulldogs have now won four games in a row, a level of success which Kirsten LaVallee, a senior sports management major and the team’s goalkeeper, feels optimistic about.
“I feel this has been our best year with the program, especially starting from where we were as freshmen,” LaVallee said. “We were ranked in the preseason pool dead last our first year here. And to see how much this program has built, it’s very encouraging. Especially us in leadership roles, I feel like we really stepped into those coming into the season.”
Rivers Abshere, a senior psychology major and one of the team’s defenders, felt that the attitude and unity of the team’s players has been an important factor in the team’s success.
“I think a lot of players that have come in have definitely made a difference. I think, in general, our mindset, especially these last two years, has been very good. Everyone that’s here genuinely loves the sport, loves the game and very much is willing to put in the work,” Abshere said. “It genuinely is a team where we all get along and are rooting for each other, which I think makes, obviously, a huge difference.”
Though proud of what the team has accomplished so far, Alford also had his mind on what lies ahead for the Lady Bulldogs and what they need to do to continue their success.
“I think [we need] solid play, consistent play, consistent contribution from everybody on the team, then we’re gonna have to win at least one more big game against West Florida on Sunday, against Lee. Those are going to be teams that are ahead of us,” Alford said. “And then be consistent against teams we know we can take care of, kind of like tonight. We got to go out and do the job. We can’t get complacent.”
LaVallee expressed pride in the team, believing that all the players have contributed to the team’s wins.
“I’m really proud of everybody,” LaVallee said. “Everyone, no matter the amount of minutes, or who they are or what position they play — everyone has contributed to the success we’ve had this far and that’s what we will continue to see.”
The Lady Bulldogs will play their next game against the West Florida Argonauts on Oct. 20 at 1:00 p.m. at the Smith Memorial Soccer Complex.