The women’s soccer team, ranked No. 24 in the nation, continued its winning streak to an impressive 9-0 on the season. With standout performances from a deep team of players, the Trojans carried on their strong and skilled play for two phenomenal games.
Following a 4-1 win against No. 18 Campbellsville, the Trojans played strongly on the grass field against St. Mary-of-the-Woods, winning handily in a blowout 8-0. Juniors Eliza Luttrell and Leah McQuade both contributed two goals to the win, with Luttrell assisting both of McQuade’s shots.
The final goal of the first half came from sophomore Ava Makedos, assisted by freshman Ruah Havens for her first point at the collegiate level. Other goals in the second half came from senior Libby Thomas, and the final scores came in from sophomores Lydia Bailey and Mairin Carpenter in the last ten minutes of the game.
Their following game against Cornerstone continued their dominant form with the first goal scored by Taylor junior Meagan Hill, assisted by McQuade, in the first 31 seconds. With a season high nine goals scored for the night, the Trojans finished the game 9-1. Luttrell once again had an outstanding game, registering the first hat trick of the season for the team after her third goal in the 80th minute.
Luttrell said that honoring the Lord and playing authentically have been key aspects to the first games of the season. She said that the games against St. Mary’s and Cornerstone were exciting for the team, but they tried to strike a balance surrounding winning in such massive ways.
“Trying to be very thoughtful in those games, and as we are having a really good winning streak, asking ‘how are we being super considerate, playing well together and also respecting the other team,’” Luttrell said.
This now marks three multiscoring games for Luttrell. The game also featured several amazing saves by senior goalkeeper Brianna Rawlings to preserve their massive lead.
Head coach Scott Stan said the game went rather unexpectedly after a tough 1-0 loss to Cornerstone in 2023.
“We were winning 3-0, and then Cornerstone scored on a direct kick to make it 3-1,” he said. “(Assistant coach) Morgan (Gerig) and I looked at each other and just said, ‘Oh, I bet it is going to get hard now,’ and then our girls just went crazy and scored six unanswered goals. And we did not think that was coming.”
Stan said that the accountability of the women’s team is phenomenal. Leadership from the senior class has shown to be encouraging as they look into the season ahead. Pushing the freshmen and sophomores to get better and work harder comes out of a desire for a great season.
“They are setting the standard pretty high because I know they believe they can be really good,” Stan said. “And to be really good means you can’t check out in October and say, ‘Well it has been a good year.’ I do not think any of them want to accept that.”
Additional wins against No. 11 Aquinas, 2-1, and the team’s first conference win over Bethel, 1-0, added to the increased confidence of the women’s team.
McQuade said that connection throughout the season, on and off the field, has made it easier to perform so well. She said that specific roles each of the members of the team steps into, in encouragement and effort on the field, have played into that.
“Coming into practice every day and treating it as every other day is important,” McQuade said. “Having the expectation of pushing one another and wanting the girl next to me to get better. Off the field, being intentional and wanting to lead and guide the underclassmen.”
The Trojans will play No. 8 Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Turner Stadium before meeting Goshen on Oct. 1.
