Women’s soccer team strives for consistency

Plagued by injuries late in the 2015 season, the MVNU women’s soccer team looks to come back strong as the 2016 season gains momentum.

The Lady Cougars ended the 2015 season seventh in the Crossroads League with a record of 3-4-2 and 10-7-2 overall.

As this season ramps up, the Lady Cougars are striving for excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community.

“Our primary objective is always to honor God with our very best in all that we do,” coach Daniel Seiffert said. “We’re looking forward with great excitement to all that God has planned for our 2016 Lady Cougars during the coming season.”

A total of 32 women make up the women’s soccer team including seven freshmen, 12 sophomores, six juniors and seven seniors.

“The number one key to achieving success this year will be establishing strong team chemistry,” Seiffert said. “We have a solid group of freshmen joining us this year and it is absolutely crucial that we all come together as quickly as possible in order to achieve our goals.”

Over the past few years, the Cougars have reached national rankings of 14 and 18 out of 195 NAIA Division I teams nationwide in both the Modified RPI rankings and Coaches’ Polls.

The team also hopes to continue “meeting and exceeding the performance levels established by their predecessors,” Seiffert said.

The Cougars reported to camp in mid-August to begin training and impressed Coach Seiffert with their “fitness levels as well as their competitive spirit.”

The Lady Cougars started their season with a 1-0 win against Savannah College of Art and Design. The squad then had two losses to Lindsey Wilson (3-1) and Lourdes University (1-0).

The team came back strong to win 13-0 against The King’s College and brought in a 2-1 overtime win against Ohio Christian University on Tuesday.

The Cougars hold a season record of 3-2 and will start Crossroads League play on September 24 against Indiana Wesleyan University.