The 2014-15 Lady Archers soccer team sits with a 2-9 record, four games left
By: BRITTNEY FARROW
Staff Writer
For the women’s soccer team at STLCC, it has been a sub .500 season, losing more games than winning. With a 2-9 record, the Lady Archers – which consists of a brand new roster and a new head coach – is having a rebuilding year.
In both the 2013 and 2012 seasons, the Lady Archers advanced to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) tournaments.
While 2014-15 Lady Archers’ Head Coach Erin Hesselbach said they made strides during the preseason she believes the team is going to have to work hard if they want to compete with the rest of the division.
“I was very impressed by [the player’s] work in the preseason. There have also been times where some players have impressed me individually,” Hesselbech said.
This season is Hesselbech’s first year with STLCC, and the 2014-15 campaign marks her first time as a head coach at the college level. Hesselbech made her return to college soccer after former women’s soccer coach Juergen Huettner accepted a coaching position at Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC).
As former players advanced in their college careers, Hesselbech was assigned the task of having to recruit a completely new team. This season, the roster consists of 17 girls — 14 freshmen and three sophomores. Sophomore midfielder Hannah Wisnewski is the only returner from last season.
“I think they expected it to be like high school,” Hesselbech said.
For many athletes, Hesselbach said junior college acts as a stepping stone for those looking to advance. Because of that, Hesselbach said it is imperative that student athletes prove themselves on and off the field.
“School is important [as well]. By playing [at Meramec] they signed a contract as student athletes and we understand that school is a priority,” Hesselbech said.
School-related obligations have taken players away from practice, but Hesselbech and her assistant coach try and make themselves available to players outside of scheduled practice times.
Hesselbach said this one-on-one attention gives them the chance to focus on and strengthen their individual skills, as well as allowing them to improve upon any skills that need work. Hesselbech and her assistant coach want players to utilize this extra time. While she is disappointed with how the season has turned out, Hesselbech knows the players have the potential to do well.
The soccer season is coming to an end, but Hesselbech said she is still stressing the importance of work ethic. Regardless of how the Archers do, Hesselbech said she hopes the season impacts them in some way.
“[If there’s anything I want to leave them with it is] consistency. I want them to stay more consistent, and to keep up the hard work in every game,” Hesselbech said.
