By: Michael Del Genio
Dominican women’s soccer began the season on a high note, steamrolling Greenville University 5-0 in their own home.
Three Freshmen notched the first goals of their careers, with Grace Durante opening up the game with hers, assisted by Ariana Barney. First-year defenders Azara Waite and Renna Gravenhof would go on to score later in the game, with forward Tia Garr and Mackenzie Cuddihy scoring as well.
The Stars are projected to finish third in the Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) behind Illinois Institute of Technology and Milwaukee School of Engineering. Despite the projection, fifth-year Sierra Rioux views it,
“I’m excited because I feel like we’re kind of the underdogs. We lost so many girls. No one is expecting what’s coming. We’re really going to give them a run for their money.”
One of the biggest challenges the Stars will face is the indoctrination of 21 newcomers, featuring 19 freshmen and two transfers.
Senior forward Meghan Wilhite has been a premier feature of the Stars’ attack in the previous years and embraces the newcomers with a competitive mindset.
“It’s been helpful with my teammates having a competitive drive for each other…We have such a deep roster with really good talent this year that’ll definitely help keep the competitive nature up.”
With bringing in a large group of players comes a lot of expectations on and off the field, and for Coach Carillo, off the field is just as important.
“In the recruiting process, you get to know them. Where they come from, what their lifestyles have been like. How committed they are, we recruit good people first and foremost. You recruit good people, and they’ll fall right into place and bring good things to your program and your culture.”
The young Stars are set with high expectations in the program and by the conference. They continue on the road until September 9th, their home opener against Illinois Wesleyan University.
Be the first to comment