After starting off the season with a winning streak of four games, the Plattsburgh State women’s soccer team has lost three games in a row, leaving them with a record of 4-3.
The Cardinals started the season by defeating the first four opponents they faced off against, however, these last three games on the road were proven difficulties for PSUC as they try to prepare for SUNYAC play to begin.
“You learn big-time at this stage during the nonconference games what you need to work on in order to prepare for conference matches,” head coach Tania Armellino said about these recent losses. “For some reason we looked out of sync, we looked frantic and we looked a bit fatigued at times.”
Preparation is the necessary key to success heading into SUNYAC play. Players are encouraged to seek help from the trainers to prepare themselves for future back-to-back games against conference opponents.
“We’re all in shape, but resting and staying hydrated will play a big part in how everybody feels in the back-to-backs,” sophomore forward Jessica Reid said. “Staying on top of the little things like icing and stretching will really help us out.”
Despite losing three in a row, the Cards still have the necessary tools to feed off of in order to catapult them into SUNYAC play.
“I think it’s a good learning experience since we start conference play Saturday,” junior midfielder Caitlin Gagen said about PSUC’s recent string of losses.
“We started 4-0 and had an overtime win against a good competitor which really got our confidence up, so now we just have to work on maintaining our confidence throughout this rough patch leading into SUNYAC play.”
The Cards will kick off SUNYAC play tomorrow against Potsdam on their home field, looking to end the three game losing streak they have accumulated against nonconference opponents.
“We’ll definitely be having hard practices this week in preparation,” Gagen said. “We’ll be going over how Potsdam plays in practice, so I think we’ll be prepared for Saturday.”
As the midpoint of the season approaches, PSUC is still in a good place despite its recent struggles. These upcoming games, however, impose a great meaning in determining how their season will feel like coming into the bulk of the season.
“My biggest thing is to learn from the loss,” Armellino said. “We’ve been working on high-pressure situations, keeping our composure and making sure that we have good support off the ball.”
Overall, the team feels capable of being able to turn it around after these recent losses, and can use them as fuel to push their performance to another level for their upcoming matches, and especially against SUNYAC opponents.
“These nonconference games really helped us realize the little things we need to work on,” Reid said. “Saturday will be our first official step on our journey toward the SUNYAC championship.”
Tomorrow will be the Cards’ first taste of SUNYAC action this season on their home turf looking to redeem themselves from their recent road trip.
“We’re feeling good because we have good chemistry on and off the field,” Gagen said about how the team has been coping with the struggles. “I have a good feeling about Saturday and I feel like we are very prepared.”
PSUC has had a good amount of time to recuperate since the loss against St. Lawrence, which is another positive the Cards can take away from the loss against a tough opponent.
“We are such a strong team and the bus rides are full of energy,” Reid said. “Everybody gets more excited the closer more competitive the play gets.”
Email Ezra Kachaturian at sports@cardinalpointsonline.com
