Women’s first season of soccer begins

A new era has begun for PUC athletics, as the women’s soccer team made its debut against Bethel College on Aug. 25.

Training began for the fresh team on Aug. 1. Head coach Leslie Ferguson, who previously coached at Waubonsee Community College, is optimistic about the team’s first season.

“We are overcoming some early season injuries, but the team has worked hard during pre-season to get themselves into game shape,” Ferguson said. “We are improving every day, and we are looking to be competitive in our first season.”

The roster shows a total number of 18 women. There are six junior transfers, five freshmen and seven who are from our campus. Also, Eric Graves has taken the position of assistant coach, and Cory Juran is the goal keep coach.

The season will see the team take the pitch against local opponents, as well as travel a long way to several matches. They will have to go as far as Williamsburg, Ky., for a game against the University of the Cumberlands. Along with Kentucky, they will make a trek out to Ohio and Iowa in October.

Ferguson does not foresee any travel problems and believes that the time together will actually serve to help the new squad build more chemistry.

“These [out of state] games give the girls time to bond as a team, and they look forward to the overnight travels the most,” Ferguson said.

The first match of the regular season saw the team travel a shorter distance to Mishawaka, to take on the Pilots of Bethel College.

In the first half, the Pilots go up 4-0, all courtesy of Bethel’s Nicole Steller. Bethel eventually made it up to 5-0, after which PUC finally got on the board with two goals from Maxzine Rossler. Rossler’s goals were at the 70th minute and on a penalty kick.

PUC outshot Bethel 16-14 (12-8 on shots on goal), but Pilots goalkeeper Sarah Mott was on, making 10 saves during the whole 90 minutes. Bethel added one more goal to bring the final score to 6-2, handing PUC a loss.

The team travels to Adrian, Mich., looking to score their first win against the Siena Heights Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 28.  PUC’s home opener is scheduled for Aug. 30 against the Davenport University Panthers.