By: Avery Bangsund

The Lady Bobcat soccer team had a great start to the season where they tied Pitts-Johnstown 0-0. Feeling encouraged, the team prepared to face the University of California – Pennsylvania at home on September 10. 

Last season the team lost 0-1 against the University of California – Pennsylvania (Cal PA). Since last year, the team dynamic has changed, allowing the Bobcats to have a fresh start to make this goal happen. Leah-Rose Ireland, a sophomore on the Women’s Soccer Team, stated, “Our team this year is very positive, uplifting, and supportive of each other. We are also a very focused group that have many goals set to achieve.” The team has really bonded since the season has started, allowing them to work together against teams like Cal PA. This is evident on the field and in the level of intensity delivered by the team during the game. 

Cal PA came in strong; however, your lady Bobcats continued to show determination and perseverance, and by half time the game was tied. The team was still eager to win against Cal PA and continued to put up a fight in the second half. It wasn’t until freshman Sydne Alexander shot a beautiful ball that went over the keeper’s head and into the opposing team’s goal in the last couple minutes of the game. 

When talking to Alexander after the game, she stated how amazing and blessed she is to have the opportunity to start as a freshman. She continued to express herself by saying, “Scoring my first official collegiate goal against Cal PA was honestly a fever dream! I was filled with so much joy when the ball hit the back of the net, and in that moment, all I could do was thank God for giving me the talent to play a sport with so much passion!” 

Sydne Alexander was not the only one excited about how the game finished. Ireland stated, “Winning the game was really exciting, especially being able to see a freshman step up and score the game winning goal! I was really excited and proud of our goalie and defensive line for getting our second clean sheet.” The entire team worked together to take the win over Cal PA 1-0.  

The goal for the team this year is to go further in the playoffs than they did last year. Ireland stated, “Our team goals this year are to make it past the quarter finals of the MEC tournament and to hopefully make it further than that.” This win over Cal PA certainly helped push them towards that goal, but the rest of the season will be the determiner of what is to come. The team continues the season with a record of 2-3-1. Go Lady Bobcats!

Photo Taken By: Peter Galarneau