Thresher soccer falls to Drovers in home opener
The women and men soccer teams battled hard in non-conference play.
On Tuesday, the Thresher women’s soccer team lost to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) in their home opener on Tuesday, with a score of 1-4. This was followed by the men's defeat, the Threshers falling 1-5.
The women's team went into their home opener hyped as ever, and were ready to play from the start. Unfortunately, the 26th minute marked the first goal scored by USAO. In the 35th minute of the half, another goal was scored by the Drovers, leaving the Threshers down 0-2 at half.
In the second half, USAO scored in the 14th and 20th minute, followed by a Bethel goal, secured by Claire Hedlund in the 44th minute. This ended the game, 1-4.
“Obviously losing is not a great feeling,” senior Taylor Dashney from Edmond, Okla. said. “However, the way we played today was very eye-opening to our abilities and how well we can play as a team. Although the results are not what we wanted, I'm excited to see how we develop over the rest of the season. I think, as a team, we need to focus on the final pass and quick movements on and off the ball.”
The women’s team will face off against Randall University at home on September 2nd to look for a rebound victory.
The Thresher men started off strong at the onset of their USAO matchup, with defense on both teams settling each other. However, in the 21st minute, the Drovers scored their first of five goals. The 23rd and 41st minute goals led the Drovers to a halftime lead of 3-0. The Threshers came out of the locker room hungry and, following a fifth-minute goal from the Drovers, scored a goal in the seventh minute (Juan Nicoletti).
Unfortunately, around seven minutes after the Thresher goal, Nicoletti suffered an arm injury that caused removal from the game and the Threshers were defeated 1-5 after the Drovers' final goal in the 33rd minute.
“Some positives are moving the ball really well and there were times in the game that we moved the ball well and properly created good chances that we needed to finish,” sophomore George Thompson from London said. “We had an equal amount of attempts at the beginning but we couldn't put them away. We need to focus on training and practices. We need to play better.”
The men’s team will compete next against Oklahoma City University on September 8th at 7:30 p.m.
Although both teams were defeated by USAO, Thresher soccer hopes and plans for improvement in the near future.