The women’s soccer team is having what you could say is the best start they have had in a long time…since 2012 to be exact. Going 3-1 in non-conference play and 1-1 in RMAC play to start the year, what is making this team so different compared to year’s past?
This offseason, the program made adjustments in their coaching staff and to their roster adding a new head coach and 14 fresh faces to the roster, as well as the new director position. Some might say the changes are working so far.
“The girls have taken on everything we have been giving them, there is so much new information but immediately when we tell them something the change is made right away so that has been awesome for us as coaches,” Head Coach Dani Thurman said “It is not taking a couple of days to get down the new stuff it is literally just happening instantly so I think that has been going into our success and our wins.”
The Mavericks have seen tough competitors in their first few games but have come out on top the majority of the time. The loss to Newman came not even a minute into overtime because of a defensive miscommunication. In their very next overtime game, CMU got it done after Ryanne Parker got her second goal in the game against Colorado Christian.
The Mavericks have gone through a rebuilding process as a team this offseason and a big part of that was getting 14 new Mavericks added to their roster. The freshmen have been proving that they have what it takes to compete at the college level by being able to put in the efforts at practice and making their way onto the field.
“It is a different level you know you come from high school, club soccer the college game is just different and it generally takes a little time to adapt and I think the fact that we have some freshmen that are getting significant minutes pushing some upper class is the competition that you want within the program.” Director of Soccer Operations Todd Padget said.
With all the new talent, the veterans are having to prove themselves as well. Alexis Allard and Ryanne Parker have taken on the roles as the leaders of the team and are having to show they deserve those roles. One other returner that has been stepping up is Taylor Jones, a sophomore midfielder who has been a beast on the field so far this season. Allard, Jones, and Parker combine for a total of five goals through the five games.
“A winning mindset is an adjustment and the style of play they’ve switched what they have been doing for the past three, four or how many years they have been in the program to the new system and velocity right away which is great,” Thurman said.
The winning mindset will have to continue to grow and develop as the season grows. The Mavericks who went 3-4-1 on the road last year have already started the year out with a pair of solid road wins.
“if the girls understand game by game, result by result I really believe that it could be a great season for them,” Todd Padget said.
Padgett has been in charge of making adjustments to the women’s program and their practice regime as well as other aspects of training. One of the main purposes for the hire was to elevate the women’s program to the level the men at, and that is competing for conference titles on a yearly basis.
“For the past five years, I have been on the men’s side exclusively and loved my time with the boys but it is different now because obviously I am helping out with the women’s program as well,” Padgett said. “Certainly, long hours, long days but it is enjoyable both groups are coming along very nicely.”
The Mavericks will return back to Walker Field for a pair of conference home games against MSU-Denver and the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs starting on Sept. 27.
