September 20, 2016

By Christopher Sich

The Dominican University Women’s soccer team has begun their season 2-2, and look to continue to their growth in their upcoming games.

This season’s team has a total of 12 freshmen, even though at first it has been challenging, the team has responded well and impressed Head Coach Carlos Carrillo.

“Everyone knows the challenges that come with having a lot of new faces and needing to get to know one another as quickly as possible, this group has really impressed me with the commitment to get to know one another and how quickly they have come together,” said Carrillo. “Though we still have a ways to go, it has been fun witnessing the cohesiveness and collective effort to becoming a team.”

The team cohesiveness has been a common topic among players on the team. According to seniors Ashly Torres and Vanessa Gonzalez, there has been good team chemistry on and off the field.

“The team did not come into the preseason as prepared as Coach Carrillo would have liked, but we have responded very well and improved a lot,” Gonzalez said. “The team has transitioned well and we have improved out communication on the field.”

Along with the addition of several new players, the team is also implementing a new philosophy. According to Gonzalez the team is still getting used to the change of philosophy, but they are starting to click and have gained team cohesiveness each and every game.

“This team has more unity this season and I think we are a very good defensive team,” Gonzalez said. “But we can still improve more on our finishing.”

Even though the season is still young, the team has grown. According to Carrillo, Tania Martinez, Lexi Kiotis and Tania Paez have led by example and the team individually, and collectively, has done really well to start the season.

With the arrow pointing in the right direction, the team looks to continue their hard work to achieve their goals.

“Our goal is to get back into the (NACC) conference tournament and make a run at competing for a conference tournament championship,” Carrillo said.

The Stars next match is today, Sept. 20, at 4.p.m. against conference rivals Rockford University at West Campus Field.

sichchri@my.dom.edu