With a 3-1 loss at Kaskaskia College on Saturday, the Archers women’s soccer regular season reached its conclusion, with nearly two weeks to prepare for the regional semifinal on October 30. This has been a season of reclamation for STLCC, as they have risen from a two-win team a year ago to one that enters the postseason with a much more respectable 4-10-2 mark, with six of its losses coming by two goals or fewer.
STLCC did sputter a bit down the stretch, posting a mark of 0-6-2 in its final eight games. Ironically, those late-season struggles coincided with the return of the Archers’ season-opening lineup, a sight that had been rarely seen throughout the regular season due to a slew of injuries.
Archers Looking for a Quick Start
The Archers’ recent struggles have been writing a familiar script. Of the 12 goals allowed in five games since October 1, 10 have been recorded in the first half. The Archers’ lone lead in the month of October came during the first half of a 1-1 tie at MCC-Blue River on October 3. Head coach Erin Hesselbach has harped on the need to get off to a quicker start throughout the year, though the Archers have made a habit of playing from behind.
“We’ve just been starting slow,” Hesselbach said following the Archers’ 2-0 loss to Scott Community College on October 1. “We can’t wait until the other team gets on top of us before we start to play, and that’s just (a matter of) coming in mentally prepared.”
Despite the team’s slow starts, one point of encouragement for STLCC would be its recent performances against regional opponents. In addition to its 1-1 tie against Blue River, the Archers defeated regional foe Maple Woods 1-0 on September 10.
STLCC will host the regional tournament, to be held October 30-31 at the Soccer Park, located in Fenton.