Story by Sports Editor Alex Rodriguez
Starting our fall semester back at Aquinas, women’s soccer is an obvious excitement for our campus. Winning the WHAC championship last year, and continuing their season deep into nationals, they’re feeling good again this year. Receiving the highest amount of preseason votes the women’s team is already predicted to walk away with another WHAC championship. With coming into a new season after a very successful one it can be tough, but these girls seem very focused and determined. When asking Senior Sydney Shenk about this upcoming season, she had this to say, “I think I and everyone else are just excited to get back on the field and see how far we go.” The team is keeping a level head and playing every game this season as it comes. Not thinking too far ahead and playing to their best ability every game. These girls have a goal in sight and they stray away from worrying. They understand they are in control and that it’s up to the team and support around the team to be able to make a strong run again. This team has been putting the work on and off the field to be able to make a return to the WHAC finals. With the community of Aquinas behind them, it will be very exciting for us all to see these girls make a return. Last year the girls only lost to three teams all of which were ranked within the top ten nationally. Shenk continues talking about the team’s sort of mentality saying, “We felt like last year we were out in Alabama competing with the top teams and we want to get ourselves back out there again.” They have their long term and short term goals set, and with the grit and team chemistry, they are going to be fierce this year. This team is not one that fears tough competition rather than gets excited for it, and they are ready to make a lasting impact this year for the Aquinas soccer program. Last year the women’s team took it all the way to quarterfinals, only losing to the previously voted number one ranked team. However, there isn’t a doubt that these girls will be competing extremely hard throughout this season to make it back to nationals, not only to return, but to come back stronger than before.
Photos Courtesy of Aquinas Athletics
The Saint 