By Gabby Goodwin || Contributing Writer
Two games. One weekend. Zero letdowns. This was the F&M Women’s Soccer team’s mentality going into the tournament at York College this past weekend. Playing one game against York College on Saturday and one game against Kean University on Sunday, the F&M Women’s Soccer team was mentally and physically prepared to go full force against these two teams to obtain their desired result. With a strong shot just outside the 18 from F&M’s own Reanna Leoni, F&M secured the victory 1-0 against York College on Saturday.
Sunday, however, brought different results. With less than just a one-day turnover, F&M Women’s Soccer was going to have to push through the soreness and bruises the day before had brought with it. Head Women’s Soccer coach, Heather Kemp, knew that it was going to be difficult, but she was confident that her team was mentally and physically strong enough to endure these hardships. “90 minutes,” she told us, “90 minutes to give it your all and forget about everything going on outside of life on the soccer field. Forget about yesterday’s result, next week’s game, and just focus on the 90 minutes you’re out there on the field.”
Our team took this to heart when they went out there and held Kean University at a score of 0-0 until midway through the second half. Kean University finished a goal, resulting in a score of 1-0. To attest to their toughness, however, the F&M Women’s Soccer team refused to put their heads down and give up. Freshman Hannah Robinson scored a goal with less than two minutes remaining in the second half, off of a corner kick, tying the score 1-1, and bringing the two teams into 20 minutes of overtime.
Our team was really going to have to push to win this battle. And for 19 minutes and 30 seconds, they were going strong; however, with 30 seconds remaining in double overtime, Kean University scored a goal, resulting in a final score of 2-1. Losing is never easy, especially in such a hard fought battle.
The best teams, however, can find a way to bounce back from such losses and return to the field even stronger. This is what we will see on Saturday, September 17 when F&M Women’s Soccer plays Swarthmore away in our first conference game of the season.
This upcoming week, Women’s Soccer will also play PSU Harrisburg away on Wednesday, September 21, followed by a home game against Ursinus at 3p.m. on Saturday, September 24. Come out to Tylus field and support F&M Women’s Soccer as they take on the Bears in their second home game of the season and watch as they battle to the victory!
First-year Gabby Goodwin is a contributing writer. Her email is ggoodwin@fandm.edu.