By: Elma Oijens Sjoelin
Photography: Provided by Elma Oijens Sjoelin
As we are slowly approaching the middle of the spring semester, many winter and spring sports at McKendree are currently finishing or just starting their competitive seasons. We see and hear a lot about how it is going for our classmates who are representing McKendree when competing, but have you ever wondered what some of the fall sports are up to during the spring?
One of the sports teams at McKendree currently in their off-season is the women’s soccer team. Last year, the women’s soccer team went undefeated in the Conference games for the first time ever in the history of the program. After the regular season, they claimed a spot in the national tournament and made it to the first round. They were then defeated by Cedarville University in a close game on their field in Ohio, yet they returned to McKendree as history-makers.
Now, the women’s soccer team is preparing for another upcoming fall season, and in the spring it is all about establishing a foundation to build upon for possibly going even further in the national tournament in the fall.
Reagan Mauch is a junior and a central midfielder on the soccer team. She shared some inside information on what is going on in the spring for the women’s soccer team and what she thinks of the upcoming fall season:
What does a normal week for women’s soccer look like?
“Usually, we have weightlifting on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Then, during this week, for example, we have training Monday through Thursday. We do a lot of fitness tests and running, too, mixed in with all of that. We do have the weekends off though, which is nice!”
What are the focus and goals for the team during the spring?
“For us, the spring is about fitness, building our team dynamic, and preparing for our fall season, so we can get better overall as a team.”
Is this spring different or similar to your previous spring seasons here at McKendree?
“In my experience, I would say there is a lot more fitness and more structure to this spring. It is very fitness based and tactical.”
Looking back at last season, what are your overall thoughts?
“We had a great season! We went undefeated in the regular season for the first time in program history. We made it into the GLVC Tournament and the NCAA Division II National Tournament.”
How do you feel about the team’s chances in the upcoming fall season?
“I feel really good about our team! I think we are already building on last season, even just in the first few weeks of the spring. I think we are going to be fitter, and we will play better together [in the upcoming fall season].”
As a part of their schedule, the women’s soccer team will play a few games later this spring. Eventually, the schedule will be posted on social media and on the McKendree Athletics website, so stay tuned if you are excited to watch some soccer on Leemon Field after a long week of classes later this spring.
Go Bearcats!
