Daniel Hawes, Campus Carrier Assistant Sports Editor
Opening this season with a record of 3-1, the Lady Vikings are off to a solid start for the season.
The Lady Vikings took the field this past weekend in the Fort Rapids Tournament in Columbus, Ohio, against the Capital University Crusaders and the Denison University Big Red. The Lady Vikings lost the first match 3-1, but won the second match 2-1.
In the last 15 minutes of the first match, the Lady Crusaders added two more goals to their total to pull ahead of the Lady Vikings and win the match. Sophomore forward Sara Dillon scored off an assist from senior forward Molly Johnson in the 53rd minute of the match. Freshman goalkeeper Melissa Sanchez recorded five saves in the game to bring her season total to nine.
The match against the Big Red ended in a 2-1 victory with goals being scored by junior forward Rachel LeRoy and freshman midfielder Maggie Midkiff. In addition to the goals scored by LeRoy and Midkiff, Sanchez recorded five more saves to bring her season total up to 14.
“We definitely picked it up from the game on Friday,” said Anna McNulty, a sophomore center midfielder. “We relaxed a bit more and played with more focus.”
McNulty also noted that the team began to play with a greater sense of composure after the loss to the Lady Crusaders.
Sophomore outside back Jillian McDonnell said that the highlight of the game for her was that the Lady Vikings were able to score some difficult goals.
“Both of the goals were scored from pretty far out,” McDonnell said. “Rachel [LeRoy] slammed hers into the net from about 35 yards out. It was just one of those goals where everyone jumped up from the bench and started cheering.”
Following LeRoy’s goal, Midkiff scored a game-winning goal late to give the Lady Vikings their third win of the season.
“I am so excited for the rest of the season,” Midkiff said. “It is looking very promising. We have already tied the number of wins that we had last season, and we are only four games into the season.”
Practice is also a huge part of the Lady Vikings success.
“Practice certainly does pay off,” McNulty said. “The second goal was one of the plays we have been practicing for several weeks.”
When the Lady Vikings played Agnes Scott College on Wednesday, they won 3-1, bringing their record to 4-1. Goals came from Midfiff, Dillon, and senior midfielder Lindsey Williams. With these goals, both Midkiff and Dillon are tied for the lead in goals scored with three each.
On two of the goals scored, the Lady Vikings were able to record assists from senior midfielder Kim Fischer and sophomore midfielder Tessa Piety. Senior forward Molly Johnson leads the team with three assists.
The Lady Vikings will be back in action against the East Texas Baptist University Tigers tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the Mississippi College tournament. The tournament will take place over two days.
Their next home game is against the Emory University Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 2 p.m. at the Ford Athletic Complex.