Now that women’s soccer season is FINALLY back, so is the blog! (I hope you are as excited as me). For those of you that may not know, I am in my fifth year as a Panther and wear the number 32 for the black and gold.
Our (regular) season got underway this weekend and I am very pleased to announce that your Panthers are 2-0! We battled with a couple teams out of the Mid American Conference, playing Akron on Friday night, and Northern Illinois University Sunday afternoon.
Friday’s game was filled with lightning delays, 77 minutes worth to be exact. There may not be anything more entertaining than a locker room filled with girls, music, and the adrenaline of wanting to play a home opener, but we were stuck waiting inside. A brief dance party may have broken out during the first delay. With a little help from the wet conditions, we were able to gain a 1-0 advantage going into halftime off of a shot from a little bit of distance by myself, and the first goal of the year was in the books. We were held scoreless in the second half, but we definitely had the opportunity to tuck a few more goals away.
We saved those goals up for Sunday afternoon when we took on the Huskies. After giving up a goal in the fifth minute, Callie O’Donnell was able to tally her first goal of the year, soon after in the 11th minute. Once Callie gets going, there’s no stopping her. She added her second goal of the year on a crafty re-direction goal in the 60th minute after Kelly Manski had a strike from outside of the box. With her two goals, Callie earned the first Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week honors (and I don’t think it will be her last!). To put the cherry on top, and as a belated birthday present to herself, Jen Eberhardy (aka Yenni Cuatro) tucked the ball in the back of the net off of a corner kick in the 64th minute.
After a productive preseason filled with food, two-a-days, and the Olympics, and a promising opening weekend, we feel ready to go as a team this season! It helps having a familiar coaching staff, a large group of returners, and a great group of new girls ready to contribute!
We are back in action Thursday night against the Badgers at 7 pm. We play at their place this year, but it would be great to see the crowd filled with Black & Gold. We then return home Sunday for a midday game against Southeast Missouri, hope to see you all there!
