The goal for the Storm women’s soccer team the rest of the season, is to continue to improve their performance. Currently, the ladies hold a record of 6-5, and their only hopes are to continue their winning streak.

The team has had a challenging year so far, as their head coach bowed out and interim coach Greg Velasquez stepped up to take his place. Velasquez has a lot of positive things to say about the team, including that the girls have already had a great season and that there is more great soccer to come.

“We’ve come a long way defensively since shipping five to Gustavus (Adolphus) and, as a team, we’re starting to play with a little bit of swagger behind the ball,” Velasquez said. “We’ll really see what we’re made of over the next few weeks as we visit some tough stadiums in conference play.”

Senior midfielder Mollie McMahon feels that the team really took a hard hit and had a rough start after their head coach left.

“Because our team is so young, this year has really been a learning and growing experience for everyone,” McMahon said. “Our record is not outstanding but we have managed to grow and progress through each game.”

The team is made up of a majority of freshmen and sophomores, with no juniors and only three seniors. Although they have begun to grow together, there is still much to learn with the large growing gap.

Senior defender Heather Akes feels that the team has come into contact with a lot of talented freshmen, and they work well with the returners.

“It was hard to adjust to having a coaching change during the season, but we have adjusted,” Akes said.

As McMahon remains positive and optimistic about the future of the team, she also hopes that their record will continue to improve.

“Since we just started conference play, this will be towards our advantage,” McMahon. “We continue to grow and learn everyday and the future has much potential for us.”

Akes has mutual feelings. She hopes that the team does well during conference and win as many games while having fun.

As far as conference is concerned, Velasquez also has high expectations for the team. He says that they do not discuss the end of the season or the actual conference games; rather they focus on what is happening on the day and the next play.

“If we can get a little bit better each day, then by early November I’d put this team up against anybody and like our chances,” Velasquez said.

As the Storm women’s soccer team heads toward conference, they continue to set their goals high and do their best.

Last year, the women placed third in the conference, and it is a hope that they will be able to do the same this year.

Conference play began on Sept. 27 with Wartburg College and resulted in a 0-2 loss. The Storm bounced back to beat Buena Vista University, 5-0, and Central College, 2-0.

The rest of the conference games include: Coe (3-8-1), Cornell (4-5-0), Dubuque (9-4-0), Concordia (1-11-0) and Loras (14-6-3).

The women’s next home game will be Oct. 21 at 5 p.m. against Cornell.