Sept. 17, 2014 By Justin St. Peter

The Warhawks women’s soccer team is in unfamiliar territory. After not losing a regular season game last year, the ’Hawks have now lost two in their first six games.

Junior midfielder Jenna Woodson is not concerned about it all.

“It is weird,” Woodson said. “I think we had high expectations of repeating last year, but it’s a different year and different team. I would rather lose now than later.”

The ’Hawks started the week off with a Sept. 10 2-0 road loss to the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). The ’Hawks were not without chances, but they were thwarted on every one.

The Raiders broke the stalemate in the 29th minute on a rebounded shot hammered home. The ’Hawks kept up the pressure throughout the second half.

With less than six minutes remaining in the game, the ’Hawks gave up their second goal on a corner kick that was headed in.

Freshman midfielder Marie Lesperance had her second shot on goal saved by the Raiders goalie three minutes later on the ’Hawks final scoring chance.

Senior keeper Jordan Myers was tested often and had 8 saves in the loss for the ’Hawks. The ’Hawks were outshot 17-16, but they only had four of the sixteen go on goal.

“I thought we played extremely well Wednesday night,” head coach Ryan Quamme said. “It was a tough element to play in. It was a good atmosphere and will prepare us for top competition coming up. The ball just didn’t go our way.”

The ’Hawks offense came out firing against St. Catherine University (Minnesota) on the road on Sept. 13. With 11 shots and 10 on goal, Wildcats junior goalie Danielle Mendez certainly had a busy day.

The ’Hawks broke through in the 39th minute when senior midfielder Jenna Woodson took freshman forward Jordan Jackson’s pass and buried it in the back of the net.

Freshman forward Morgan Beaty registered her second goal of the season in the 70th minute. Lesperance assisted the insurance goal to secure the ’Hawks victory.

“It took us awhile to get started, but our defensive shape looked a lot better,” Woodson said. “We definitely played better as a team and we were connecting.”

Quamme believes his team is meeting their goals just fine.

“I actually think we are in a little better spot offensively than a year ago,” Quamme said. “I don’t think our women are worried about our results at all. They are focused on reaching their goals and they made a step forward today.”

The Hawks will host Illinois Wesleyan University at 7 p.m. on Sept. 17 at Fiskum Field. They begin WIAC conference play 6 p.m. on Sept. 20 when UW-Stevens Point heads to town.