By Dayna Kenworthy
The William Peace University women’s soccer team is set to kick off another season of soccer action. The Pacers were ranked in the top 5 in preseason for the second consecutive year after a strong ending to last season.
This year, it is worth recognizing that the team’s success is not only due to their efforts but because of coach Emma Avery, a senior midfielder. She agreed that the ranking was correct, but said that she would have preferred the 4th position.
“They probably base that off stats too, so it was probably pretty accurate,” said Avery.
Despite the fact that this positions the team at the preseason rank, the Pacers are not overconfident. In their vision, they look forward to performing even better than before with an aim to go up the ladder of ranking. Sophomore Mia Rumachik said that she believed its current standing is good enough, thanks to the returnees and the addition of a talented freshman class. Rumachik believes the team can climb even higher in the course of this season if their strengths are harnessed.
Currently, the team consists of both experienced players with many years of sports training and newcomers who are ready to conquer sports victories. The team boasts of both senior and freshman players giving the team a strong foundation. Returning players have a lot of experience and leadership qualities, while freshmen bring the energy. This combination and formation indicates an interesting and highly competitive season is in the offing.
The Pacers clearly want to make a point. Emma Mayer, a senior defender, said “We have the potential to prove to everyone this year that we are better than the fifth team.”
Key Players to Watch
- Emma Avery (Senior Midfielder): A team player with good experience in match play who specializes in regulating the center of the play and creating scoring chances.
- Mia Rumachik (Sophomore Forward): An active midfielder who has more than one goal and is expected to score more in the future.
- Emma Mayer (Senior Defender): A well-rounded central defender who is a good role model, leading by example on and off the pitch.
Photos courtesy Carly Vadinsky