The Mills College soccer team bounced back in an exciting home game last Saturday, beating Bethany University 5-0.
The Sept. 26 game marked the fourth match of the season for the Cyclones.
First year Chelsea Satterwhite scored two goals during the game.
“I didn’t expect it to happen. I don’t score a lot. I mostly assist because I play on the outside. But my dad was there!” said Satterwhite.
Senior Katja Davis scored one goal and an assist for Satterwhite, while sophomore Allexis Redeemer and junior Erin Gutilla both scored one goal each. Senior Erica Francies, the soccer team’s goal keeper, also claimed a “shutout.” A shutout is when one goal keeper blocks, or shuts out, the opponent’s ball, prohibiting the other team from scoring.
Their combined efforts led to the win.
Coach Colette Bowler said the players constituted the “best team since I’ve been here,” which has been 16 years.
Last year, the soccer team was defeated twice by Bethany. The team of 37 surprised their audience with an early domination from the game’s start.
“We played as a team and connected our passes, which is why we were so successful,” said senior Leslie Neill. “We had lots of communication and played well.”
Bowler said the team just came off of playing a hard game in Redding, Calif. the day before. The team lost 0-6 against Simpson College in a match that saw temperatures soar near 100 degrees.
She said the team took on Bethany with “a mental toughness” that is shifting their attitudes toward becoming more confident in their abilities.
“We know we are a better team this year. It’s not that we are going to lose, but that we are confident. We deserve a win,” said Bowler.
Because the team is so large this season, there is more room for competition to gain game time. “They work really hard in practice, which reflects in the game,” said Bowler.
“The coaches pick people who play hard in practice to start in the games,” said Satterwhite.
Junior Alysson Raymond said, “This win helps us see what we can do for future games.”
