Haiden Widener, Campus Carrier Asst. Sports Editor
The women’s soccer team won their first home game of the season in front of a crowd of about 200 people on Sunday at Ford Field. They advanced to 3-1-1 with a 4-0 win against Maine Maritime Academy.
This dropped Maritime’s record to 1-3. Junior Maggie Midkiff scored two goals. Freshman Arlena Joyner and sophomore Sydney Sheppard also scored.
Midkiff said she was happy with the large turnout for the game and she thought it helped make the team more excited.
“I was super impressed with the amount of fans we had there,” she said. “They provided a fun atmosphere to play in.”
Head coach Lorenzo Canalis said he hopes attendance stays consistent. He said that the team played well, with good ball possession and attacking.
Berry walked away with an impressive win, but Maritime did not give up easily. Both Canalis and senior Becca Proschansky said that Maritime had a great defense that stayed compact and that they put everyone behind the ball, making it difficult for Berry to make good shots.
Berry did not give up any goals this game.
“Our possession and pace was a little off, but even on our off days we know how to get the job done,” Proschansky said.
The team has had three away games this season and has only given up one goal so far. Last year the team won the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) conference championship, and they are looking to do so again this year, Canalis said. But their number one goal is to advance in the SAA tournament, so they can play in the NCAA regionals.
“We are hungry for a conference championship, and we are working hard for it,” Midkiff said.
It is still early in the season, but the team is well equipped. Twenty-five of the 33 players are returners. Proschansky said freshman Samantha Schoppy has already proven her skills as a new team member.
“She has the ability to find the through ball and split players even when it does not seem possible,” Proschansky said. “As a freshman it is hard to have an impactful role, but she has done very well.”
Canalis said sophomore Jenn Leahy is another player to watch out for this season.
“She worked really hard all summer,” he said. “And the work is showing.”
The team is now preparing for their game against Emory University, with a record of 3-2 this season. Canalis said they are preparing for this game with “intensive scouting reports” and by working on defensive coverage. He hopes to see a large amount of fans at this game as well.
The team will play Emory at Ford Field at 3 p.m. on Sunday.