With only a few seasoned players, including two seniors,
Megan Gunzelman and
Liz Russo, and twelve freshmen on the roster, it can be said that Eckerd College Women's Soccer is a young, inexperienced team. Unfortunately, having such a young team has made a big impact on the playing field as since the team is currently carrying an 0-6 record.
"Everything we do right now is really based on progress," Head Coach Joe McCauley states. "Are we getting a high understanding of the game? A lot of what our players are experiencing is kind of new information for them. [Each game] we take some steps in the right direction and are moving forward."
The Tritons have experienced other variables other then being young that has taken its effect during the game. A major issue the team has been dealing with is rain and lighting delays. However, the team feels if the issue is addressed then steps can be taken toward staying focused and motivated. During the Embry-Riddle game, Coach McCauley said the delay did throw the players off, but, recently during the delay at home against Saint Leo, the team addressed the issue beforehand, allowing the players to do a job good of not letting the delay throw them off focus.
Looking more in depth at the game against Florida Southern, the Tritons fought hard to keep the ball on their offensive side but the Moccasins proved to be too much for the players. Unfortunately, by the time the team was able to settle in and gain possession of the ball, 10 to 15 minutes were left in the game. For Coach McCauley, however, "It is a step in the right direction."
In the coming week, the Tritons will face Thomas University, a team who shares the qualities as the other teams they have been facing. When asked about how the team is preparing for this match-up, Coach McCauley stated, "Right now our focus is on us...how can we make the team better and the individual players better."
For now, the team is taking one practice and one game at a time in hopes of being able to improve with each game and prove that they are a team to contend with.
One way the Tritons hope to prove themselves is this weekend when they take on eighth-ranked Rollins in SSC play. Rollins is a tough opponentl just like every other team in the conference, however Coach McCauley had a few words of wisdom to share regarding this match-up.
"My philosophy when facing [ranked] teams is to go out and play unbelievably hard and give everything we have; we are going to play them like we are going to beat them."
Hopefully, the team will be able to carry out this philosophy not only for the Rollins game but also through the rest of the season.
On Wednesday, September 30 the Women's Soccer team takes on Thomas University at the Turley Athletic Complex at 7 p.m. in hopes of being able to clinch their first victory. The team will then travel to Winter Park, Fla to take on Rollins at 7 p.m.
