WOMEN’S SOCCER WEEKLY REVIEW: Lancers Struggle Through Conference Play

BY SCOTT MORRISON

The Lancers (2-6) have struggled throughout the year with getting out to a quick start.

This week was no exception as they dropped all three games to Northwestern College, Dana College, and Buena Vista University.

The Lancers hosted Northwestern on Wednesday, Sept. 18 and lost 6-0 after giving up three goals in the first eight minutes of the game.

“We get down early and then we have to battle back,” Lancers coach Hendricks said. “We do a good job of holding our opponents after they have already scored.”

The Lancers gave up the final three goals interchangeably throughout the contest.

“We had trouble excelling in one area against Northwestern,” Hendricks said. “Anytime you are unable to excel in one or more areas, it makes it difficult to put a lot of pressure on the opposing team,”

The Lancers continued their week on Saturday Sept. 22 in Blair, Neb against Great Plains Athletic Conference opponent Dana College.

Dana struck early and often against the as they notched two goals in the first two minutes. They notched four more throughout the game’s entirety and ended the game with a 6-0 victory.

“In almost every single game that we have lost, we have allowed goals within the first ten minutes of play,” Hendricks added.

The Lancers finished their weekend against Buena Vista University with perhaps the best performance in the first half of their young season.

They jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead as Carolyn Lovell notched a goal five minutes into the start of the game.

“Carolyn’s goal really jump started our team in the first half. She set the tone for the remainder of the game,” Hendricks said.

Lauren Donlin added a goal and the Lancers went up 2-0 to start the game. Buena Vista answered back to make the score 2-2 at halftime.

Buena Vista took control of the game in the second half as the notched three goals thanks in part to the injury of Lancers’ sweeper Laura Condon. They dropped the game 5-2.

“We had a great first half,” Hendricks said. “In the second half we had a couple injuries and depth caught up with us a little bit.”

The Lady Lancers will face Briar Cliff University on Wednesday and Doane College on Saturday.