By Natalie Hanna · Contributing Writer
The Grove City College women’s soccer team closed out its non-conference schedule last Saturday, Sept. 20 with a tough loss to Penn State Behrend, bringing them to a record of 1-4-1.
Junior goalie Maddie Mills made a career-high 11 saves, just topping her previous career high of 10, which came in their match on Wednesday, Sept. 17 against Carnegie Mellon.
Juniors Hannah Plunkard and Emma Dailey each had two shots on goal, while classmate Tori Stevenson took one shot. Freshman Lauren Muhanna also had one shot on goal.
Behrend outshot the Wolverine’s 26-7, including 14 shots on goal to Grove City’s five.
“I think Saturday was a learning experience for us! We had some good opportunities, and we are still continuing to find out our strengths and weaknesses as a team! I felt that we came together, and we never stopped working until that final whistle blew,” Dailey said.
The team, having just completed its non-conference schedule, will now move into numerous PAC matchups.
“Teams will always be wanting to beat us because of our success we have had in the past seasons, so every game will be a challenge, and those are challenges that we are ready to face together as a team,” Dailey said.
Facing fierce competition in the early stages of the season has brought the women together as a team, and the non-conference games have helped them by showing them what works and what doesn’t.
“The teams we played were very good … so being able to learn from those games and how we can bounce back from them has definitely prepared us to step into PAC play!” Dailey said.
Last year’s seniors left an impact on the program – one which the current squad knew they would have to build upon. Bringing intensity through hard work, commitment and drive to achieve the goals they have set for this year, they are prepared to face their upcoming PAC rivals.
“I think the PAC matchups are going to be good games against good competition! I think that we cannot take any team lightly because they all will be gunning for us, and we have a target on our back,” Dailey said.
After traveling to Bethany for their PAC opener on Wednesday, Sept. 24, the team will return home to face the Allegheny Gators tomorrow, Sept. 27. The game will kick off at 1 p.m. on Don Lyle Field.
“I think Wednesday’s game is going to be a good game! However … as a team we have to go out and play our game and make Bethany try to play to us! They are going to bring great competition and I 100% believe that we will be ready to take them on and come out with the result we want,” Dailey said.
