Photos by Emily Kim
The ball, as they say, is rolling. In the first four games of Mountain West Conference, the Colorado College women’s soccer team has not dropped a single game. With last Sunday’s win over the University of Wyoming Cowgirls, the Tigers have lost only twice in their last eight games and are currently riding a four game win streak. The Tigers are now the uncontested leaders of the Mountain West.
The Tigers lead University of New Mexico, San Diego State University, and San Jose State University by one game. The Tigers will be facing all three of these opponents in front of their fans at historic Stewart Field, including San Jose State this Sunday.
The Tigers’ successful conference record can be partially attributed to a trying preseason, in which they faced stiff competition from top ranked programs including the University of Kansas and the University of Pittsburgh, and a talented first-year class which includes five current starters.
The rest can be credited to senior Sarah Schweiss’ unbelievable performance. Schweiss has scored all but one of her team’s goals during conference play, including two golden goals scored in overtime against the Colorado State University Rams and the University of Wyoming Cowgirls.
Schweiss’ play is both aggressive and technical, making her an elite scoring threat that can produce opportunities no matter where she is on the field. It is little wonder why she has been Mountain West’s Offensive Player of the Week for two consecutive weeks now, an honor in a conference known for its physicality.
“She works extremely hard every game and she has been able to score important goals so it pays off,” said sophomore defender and Canadian import Anne-Sophie Lapointe. “On and off the field she is a leader and a great example.” Lapointe, Schweiss’ co-captain, recorded her first collegiate goal against the Cowgirls and is the only other Tiger to score during conference play.
The season has not been without its drama. With former goalie Heather Steeley taking her senior year off and starter Rowan Frederiksen tearing her ACL during the preseason, former 3rd stringer Louisa Mackenzie has been called to fill the void. And, according to teammates, she is “killing it.”
“Louisa immediately stepped up to the plate when we needed her to,” said junior defender Pelemarie Buika.
Coach Geoff Bennett praises Mackenzie’s hands and lateral quickness, the latter of which he attributes to her multi-sport athleticism.
Mackenzie has recorded 57 saves in 13 games and has a save percentage of 76 percent. Of course, it helps that it’s not a one-woman effort. “As a team, our ultimate goal is to keep the ball out of our net, and at the end of the day we all do whatever we can to keep a clean sheet,” Buika added.
Fresh faces in the goal and five freshmen starters are not the only changes that fans will notice for the 2015 season. The Tigers are also rocking brand new uniforms from their sponsor, Under Armour. “I am in love with our new uniforms!,” said Lapointe. “They are very light, comfortable, and good looking.”
CC is in the midst of their longest home-game stand of the season, which will come to an end on Sunday, Oct. 11 against San Jose State University. Being surrounded by fans, avoiding travel-fatigue, and, primarily, forcing opposing teams to play at altitude are just some of the benefits a Colorado College home team enjoys.
“One of our team’s goals is to never lose at home,” said Lapointe. “So far, we are undefeated on our field in conference (play) so we will work our best to keep the winning streak going next weekend.”
The Tigers face off against the San Jose State University Spartans on Stewart Field at noon on Sunday, Oct. 11.