The Tripod

The Trinity College women's soccer team finished its 2008 season with a disappointing 2-0 loss against Middlebury in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Quarterfinals. The season marked the best overall record (13-11) the Bantams had achieved since 2004. They also went 4-5 in conference, finishing in sixth place.

Unfortunately, five seniors graduated from the team, leaving Head Coach Michael Smith with key positions to fill. In order to combat this potential problem, Coach Smith planned a preseason trip to Bermuda in order to strengthen and condition the returning players for the 2009 fall season. The Bantams responded with flying colors, recording two shutout victories on the trip and scoring 10 total goals in the games.

The Bantams' play in their two games provided the perfect tune up for the 2009 NESCAC season. The sophomores led the team to a 5-0 victory in the first game, scoring four out of the five goals. Lindsay Monaghan '12, Jenny Ley '12, Leigh Howard '12, and Lily Pepper '12 all contributed with goals. Ley, Howard, and Pepper each scored in the second game as well. Right from the start, the Bantams looked as if they had been playing together in the offseason. Their passing, defense, and overall domination did not reflect the play of a team at a pre-season game, but rather looked like a team in mid-season form.

The second game took place a couple of days later. Along with the aforementioned sophomores, Morgan Sackman '11 and senior tri-captain Lauren Olsen '10 scored to lead the Bantams to another 5-0 victory. Coach Smith wanted the team to focus more on its defense in the second game, but offensive opportunities sprung from the tenacious defense.

The trip was extremely successful for the women's soccer team. Emily Weedon '11, junior goalkeeper, stated, "not only did it give us a chance to play as a team before pre-season, but it was an incredible bonding experience and a fun time."

In between intense morning practices and competitive games, the girls were able to soak up the sun on the beach. One day the girls headed to Horseshoe Bay where the team enjoyed huge waves, pink sand, and beautiful weather until Hurricane Bill hit. They also had the opportunity to experience Bermudian culture by snorkeling, where they saw exotic animals such as sea turtles and tropical fish, and by treating themselves to the island drink called a Swizzle.

On Sunday, Aug. 23 the 15 women soccer players and four coaches headed home from their trip. The bonds formed and lessons learned during the trip will support the team in their upcoming battles.

The Bantams' season started off in Maine with a tie against Colby College on Saturday, Sept. 15. Weedon played well in the goal, recording nine saves. The offense, which flourished in Bermuda, appeared to be clicking, as they recorded 23 shots to the Mules' 14. Though the game ended in a tie, it was yet another excellent display of the team's potential and could foreshadow another improved season.

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