After finishing 0-3 for the week, the Calvin women’s soccer team “maintains a positive outlook on the remainder of its season,” according to team captain Taylor TenHarmsel.

The week’s first games ended in two consecutive 1-0 losses to Alma and Trine. TenHarmsel describes the matchups as “rough games because the team had a difficult time connecting passes, and not everyone was working hard.”

Calvin’s third matchup for the week was against the second ranked team in the nation, Wheaton College. Last season, Calvin tied Wheaton 2-2 in double overtime.

Before the game, coach Mark Recker stressed playing with passion and working collaboratively as a team. To fix some of the team’s fundamental glitches, he also altered the team’s formation and personnel from the season’s previous games.

Calvin managed to hold Wheaton to a scoreless first half, yet walked off the field with another 1-0 loss.

Although the Knights did not come out victorious against Wheaton, they still displayed an impressive performance, holding their opponent scoreless until the 60th minute. Throughout the game, they had a couple of good chances on net and upheld a strong defense. With three first years on defense, “the young players proved their ability to contribute to the team by only allowing eight shots on goal,” TenHarmsel remarks.

Making adjustments from the week’s previous games, “everyone on the team played aggressively and did their part,” says TenHarmsel. “This provided encouragement and reassurance for the season’s upcoming games.”

Although the  team’s record currently stands at 1-4-0, “the team remains in good spirits. The remainder of the season is promising as the team will gain experience and continue to build confidence,” TenHarmsel adds.

“At this early point of the season, the postseason is always up in the air. However, we are confident in our ability to finish in the top four in the MIAA conference,” says TenHarmsel.