The Mills College soccer team went the distance on September 10 and 11, driving six hours to Klamath Falls, Oregon for their first two matches of the season.
Although they lost first to Northwest Christian 0-9 and then to Oregon Institute of Technology 0-12, the head soccer coach Colette Bowler said the team isn’t ready to back down.
“The team stayed positive, played hard and never gave up considering the competition,” Bowler said. “The referees were even saying how positive our team was.”
Defensive center midfielder and stopper in her fourth year on the team Chloe Garcia said the games allowed the team to work out their kinks.
“We learned about strengths and weaknesses,” Garcia, also the team captain, said. “It taught us who’s strong in what what position and what we’re capable of.”
This year, of the 27-member team, roughly half are new-comers.
Despite the amount of fresh faces, Bowler said the line-up looked promising.
“Overall, the skill level is better than last year,” Bowler said. “I’m looking forward to a successful season.”
Having six hours to drive allowed the players to get to know each other.
“It was a good bonding experience,” Garcia said.
Chelsea Satterwhite, an offensive center midfielder and forward who has been playing on the team since last year, said the van ride was charged with excitement for the upcoming matches.
“I was super excited for the game,” Satterwhite said. “I wanted to see how the new team would play together.”
Next on the Cyclones’ list? Their first home game is September 24 against Marymount at 5:00 PM.
