The Calvin women’s soccer team won their ninth straight game after beating Olivet 3-1 on Tuesday. They are now 6-0 in the MIAA and 9-2 overall.

Last year the team won seven of their 19 games and players believed this season will be one of growth for the team. The team has been training hard during the offseason preparing for this year, and it seems as though their hard work is paying off. Senior midfielder Sydney Kinney thinks the biggest change from last year to this year is the team’s mentality.

“This year our team is more knowledgeable about the game, each other and what it means to be part of Calvin women’s soccer,” she said. “During the first few times we played together, the atmosphere was different with a higher competitive mindset coming from every player.”

The biggest thing the Knights have been working on is remaining diligent, as Kinney explained:

“[We have to stay] focused during a game or practice, and hold each other accountable year round.”

As a captain, Kinney believes it’s important to continue pushing the team to play their best for each other and God. The team has been working on being a single unit offensively and defensively and being selfless for each other.

“[We have] to play well and purposefully; we have to sacrifice for each other,” said senior Taylor Ten Harmsel. “We have to give 110 percent every game for the good of our team, even if it’s not rewarding individually.”

Ten Harmsel believes the Knights need to capitalize on the opportunities given to them as they begin to play more competitive teams, despite how rare and small they may be. As the Knights progress through the rest of the season they will continue to work well as a unit and be efficient.

Senior defender Jaime Verbal wants to make sure that her team is always working on communication, defensive shaping, accuracy of passes and efficiency of scoring.

“We can’t be getting ahead of ourselves,” Verbal said. “We are no perfect team; there are always things to work on.”

Ten Harmsel, Verbal and Kinney want their team to make it to the National Tournament, but according to Ten Harmsel, that is not something to worry about just yet.

The players want to grow closer and improve as a team, and Verbal stressed this importance, saying they need to “become a team with limited breakdowns functioning as a single unit.”

This Saturday the Knights will take on Hope at 2:30 at Calvin. Both teams are tied for first in the MIAA which will make for an exciting game.