Women's Soccer 2009-2010

Week 3

                               AU Cardinals vs. Olivet College

                After two tough games and no victories, the Cardinals were aching for a win. In game number three the Cardinals went head to head against Olivet College in hopes of scoring their first goal of the season. Pumped and ready to go, the Cardinals were determined.

          The game quickly turned into an aggressive battle. Physical contact was especially intense, resulting in many collisions. Many of the Cardinals' key players were confined to the bench as a result of injuries that occured during the course of the game. Luckily, many of the injuries were minor and the players soon recovered. Despite the Cardinals' valiant efforts, the game ended in a tie 0-0. Yet, the Cardinals wouldn't be disheartened; they put up a good fight and played a clean game.

         To many, the results of the first three games may seem like a grim indicator of the remainder of the soccer season. When will the Cardinals score some goals? When will they win? The Cardinals are a strong, hard-working team. They take the results of every game and look for areas of imporvement. As a result, the practices focus on those areas that need the most work and are most promising in leading them to victory. Great improvements were seen in this game compared to previous games. The Cardinals were more aggressive and took more shots at goal. With each practice and each game, they get better. The Cardinals, keep fighting!

                                                                                 By: Erin Powers

Week 2

                               AU Cardinals vs. Rochester College

                It was a scorching September day; the AU Cardinals would be facing off against Rochester College in their second game of the season. After an intense kickoff game, the women's Cardinals headed onto the field with their heads held high. Over the past few days, they had devoted themselves to perfecting their techniques, hoping their efforts would bring them to victory.

          The game was fierce from the start. It was clear that both the Cardinals and Rochester College were longing for a win. The two teams fought hard, and were unrelenting in their efforts to score a goal. By the end of the first half, Rochester College had snuck ahead, leading the Cardinals 1-0. However, the Cardinals did not give up the fight. They went into the second half and played their hearts out. No matter the outcome, they were determined to give it their all. During the second half, Rochester College scored two more goals, winning the game 3-0.

          Unfortunately, during the course of the game the Cardinals suffered a serious casualty and lost a player. Emily Leffler, a junior at Andrews University and a new member of the Cardinals soccer team, was playing left defender when she was slide tackled by an opposing offensive player. Despite the accident, she continued playing for the last few minutes of the game. It was only after the game ended that the rest of the team realized the severity of Emily's collision. Emily was take to the hospital, where it was discovered that she had broken her right clavicle and separated her shoulder. Yet, despite her injuries, Emily remains positive about the situation and has gained the admiration of her team members for taking one for the team.

        The Cardinals had a very rough second game. Yet even though they lost the game and an important player, the did not lose their spirit and determination to push on and succeed. "That's what learning is, after all; not whether we lose the game, but how we lose and how we've changed because of it and what we take away from it that we never had before, to apply to other games. Losing, in a curious way, is winning." - Richard Bach.

                                                                                 By: Erin Powers

Week 1
                               AU Cardinals vs. Holy Cross Saints

          Clad in the armor of a soccer player, the Andrews University women's soccer team prepared for combat. Today the Cardinals would be battling the Holy Cross Saints. The September sun was searing as the frist whistle was blown and the skirmish began. Both teams went head to head in a fierce battle for possession of the ball. The Cardinals fought hard and gave the Saints a run for their money. At the end of the first half the Cardinals and Saints were at a stalemate; the score was tied 0:0. The second half was just as intense. Both teams fought hard to make the first goal. Despite their efforts, they succeeded in sinking a shot. The half ended in a tie. The game went to double overtime, during which no shots were made. The Cardinals and Saints ended the long, intense game with a tie. Shaking hands, they congratulated each other for a good game.

          Even thought the Cardinals did not steal a victory, their efforts paid off and they held their ground. Chelsea Powell, the Cardinals' goalie, did an exceptional job. A junior at Andrews University and a two-year member of the soccer team, she was responsible for blocking eleven shots on goal. Chelsea was a true fighter, and definitley deserves the title of MVP for this fiery first game.

          With game one under their belts, the Cardinals are ready to fight hard this season and give it all they got. We wish them luck as they represent our school on the soccer field. Go Cardinals!

                                                                                 By: Erin Powers