By CAITLIN HOFEN, Student Reporter
After a late start to their season, the Northwestern’s women soccer team is competing in a shortened spring season. Like many other sports, the Lady Ranger’s season has been impacted by COVID-19.
“COVID impacted our season by cancelling our traditional 18 game fall season,” said head coach Alex Piekarski. “We are fortunate that we are able to compete in an abbreviated eight game schedule, this spring.”
However, the first two games for the spring soccer season were canceled or postponed because of inclement weather.
The Lady Rangers competed in their season opener against Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Feb. 28 in Weatherford.
Alissa Carlson, Payton Taylor, Carlie Massingale and Riley Marks all shot an attempt towards the Southwestern goalie. The team could not score any of their four shots on the game resulting in a final score of 2 – 0.
The Northwestern Lady Rangers traveled to Shawnee to take on Oklahoma Baptist University March 13.
Goalie Reyna Gonzalez saved the ball from entering the goal 10 times but allowed two to slip in past her. After a 90 minute game, the Lady Rangers lost, 2 – 0.
The Lady Rangers competed against Ouachita Baptist University on March 20 in Arkadelphia, Ark.
Clare Merrigan and Rachel Bailey both scored for the Lady Rangers in the first half. Ouachita Baptist then scored twice in the second half taking the game into overtime. After two overtime periods, the Lady Rangers lost with a final score of 3 – 2.
The Lady Rangers traveled to Enid to play against Harding University on March 23 at D. Bruce Selby Stadium.
After 90 minutes and two overtime periods, neither team scored a goal. The final score of the game was 0 – 0.
On the year, The Lady Rangers have taken 25 shots as a team. According to the Great American Conference’s website, Gonzalez ranks second in the conference for the amount of saves per game. She also ranks fifth overall in the Great American Conference in the save percentage statistic and the overall number of saves she has had this year.
The Lady Rangers are focused on growth and improvement going forward, Piekarski said.
“I am proud of our team’s effort and the growth we have seen the past few weeks,” Piekarski said. “We are seeking to continue to improve as a team with a positive culture and continue to develop our style of playing on the field.
“So far we have had some very strong defensive performances. We want to continue to improve our attack while not sacrificing our defensive unit.”
Lily Anderson, a freshman midfielder, said she and the team are going to work as a family to improve.
“It has been at least a year for all of us since we had competed, so it means a lot to be able to play the sport we love,” Anderson said. “Therefore, we leave everything on the field and the most out of every game, practice and morning lift. The team really is like a family, and we are always there for each other’s highs and lows. Our goal is to get better as a team every time we step on the field.”
The Rangers have two games left in their season before the Great American Conference tournament that begins on April 10.
The Lady Rangers will play their first home game of the year against Southern Nazarene University on March 27. The team’s final home game of the year will be against East Central University on March 30.