During Legacy Weekend, while most of us were all curled up inside and avoiding the rain, at least a few people on campus were outside playing soccer - the women's club soccer team. But next season, the team will play a lot more, and under higher pressure conditions - they are being moved up to Varsity status.
There are about twenty players on the club team now. The soccer club has been in existence for the past few years, but never made the jump to varsity status. The school's administration has given it the okay, though, and next year soccer will be competing as a Division III team.
As a club sport, the team has basically had to run itself coaching wise; Corbin Tullo, Jessica Takacs, and Todd Barto were three of the students who helped to coach the team. Next year, Eleanor Shriver will take the helm. Shriver is a 1993 graduate of W.C. and will also be the coach of the fast-improving women's lacrosse team. Shriver calls herself a "recreation player" who is excited by the prospect of coaching women's soccer.
Jessica Takacs, one of the older and longest standing members on the club team, commented, "The women's soccer program has finally gotten its chance and I am proud to be a part of that."
Takacs also added, "I have been active in two teams turning from clubs to varsity and it's a rewarding feeling."
The team feels it has made great strides this season, and that can be seen by the scores of its two contests against the club team from St. Johns. In the first contest, W.C. lost 1-0. Yet in the second game during the rainy, cold Legacy Weekend, W.C. defeated the same squad soundly 3-0.
"The team has come pretty far this season," commented defensive wing Nicole "Too Tall" White. "I'm proud of the improvements we've made individually and as a team."
Mid-fielder Lauren Herndon commented, "The team is basically out to have fun. Each individual is out to have fun and there is definitely a team bond."
The team is also grateful for its peer coaches, who have committed many hours to help the entire team improve and come together. White put forth, "We owe our coaches for putting all the time in to coach us, not to mention putting up with us as well."
Herndon added, "Thanks to the dedicated student coaches and players, we have fun and improve our skills."
Yet along with heightened status comes heightened responsibilities; this past year, players weren't required to attend every practice. This will change with varsity, as it is known that practices will be mandatory. Also, the level of competition will increase dramatically. This does not phase the players, most of whom seem enthusiastic at the concept of being members of a varsity squad next year. "Right now over half the current team wishes to play for varsity," said Takacs.
Mid-fielder Jessica Wolfe is excited about the change in status. "Our team has really learned to work together and become a real team. I enjoy playing with the team and cannot wait until next year when we go varsity."
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