Tim Knutson

The Lady Jacks women’s soccer team maintained their early season momentum with a victory over the College of Saint Mary Monday in their first home game.

Head Coach Lang Wedemeyer was pleased with how many girls played well in the 7-0 victory. The team now has a 3-1 record.

The Lady Jacks opened the year with a road trip to Northern Iowa Aug. 25, and then faced Northern Illinois. The squad scored three unanswered goals against Northern Iowa, and beat Northern Illinois 3-2, Aug. 27. This marks the first time the women’s soccer team has recorded a double road win in a number of years, according to Wedemeyer.

“We started really well. This is the best since I’ve been here,” said goalie Jenn Davis, one of the team’s four seniors. “It’s great because we have such a positive attitude, and are going to be competitive.”

The team’s lone loss was to Creighton University, 0-2, on Aug. 30. The girls played games in three different states in five days, which Wedemeyer thinks may have affected the girls.

“We had a chance, but just couldn’t capitalize on them. We had two shots go off the crossbar, which would have given us the lead,” he said.

The Jacks have 17 returning letter winners, but are still a young team, with four seniors, six juniors, eight sophomores and five freshmen.

“We are a lot better friends this year. I think we have more respect for one another, because we are sharing a common goal. Bringing back all our starters has made that possible,” said senior defender Maggie Eilers.

The Lady Jacks are in action this weekend in Fargo, N.D., where they will face Weber State and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

“We will be playing two solid D-I teams, and we will need to play mistake free, especially on defense. I think this will be a great tournament for us to find out just how good we are this year,” said Wedemeyer.

IUPUI, the Jacks’ opponent on Sept. 10, is currently a member of the Mid-Continent Conference. The game should provide the ladies a good look at the conference they will join.

“I think it (joining the Mid-Con) is great for the university and our program,” Wedemeyer said. “There are a lot of solid soccer teams in the Mid-Continent, but I believe we will be able to step in and be competitive right away.”

The girls have started strong and hope to maintain the level of play, he said.

“We are still young and are starting a lot of sophomores, but they are doing well,” Wedemeyer said. “Confidence is growing, and this weekend will be a great way to determine how the rest of the season is going.”

#1.884375:3561263663.jpg:womensSoccer03.jpg:Women’s soccer players practice for the upcoming season.:Erin Lester