NCC’s soccer programs remain consistently strong this season. The women’s soccer program is off to an impressive start, building off of last year. In 10 games, the ladies are sporting an 8-1-1 record, and are currently on a four-game winning streak. In this four-game stretch, the Cards have outscored their opponents by a staggering difference of 19-3.
Scorching hot offense
This group is scoring goals at a rapid rate in the early going this fall. It is a major reason for the team’s success and has led them to a top 25 spot in the polls for all of D3 soccer. In their 10 matches, the offense has produced a total of 35 goals, which averages out to well over three goals scored per match.
Elle Sutter, ’24, has led the charge for the Cardinals attack, posting 11 goals in nine starts this season. This is nothing new for her; she led the team last season in goals scored with nine. However, this is no ordinary season for Sutter, as she has a good chance at setting the record for most goals scored in a single season in the program’s history. The record sits at 15, a mark hit by Laura Peterson back in the 2009 season.
Sutter credits her supporting cast for her hot start in a potential record-setting season.
“My teammates do a great job of setting me up to be in the position to score” said Sutter. “One of the things we talk about is doing your job, so I try to focus on that instead of the stats. Although it is my job to get the goals and assists, I try to focus on giving 110% and I know the goals will come,” said Sutter.
Changing for the better
Despite the 2021 team finishing last season with an above .500 record, the prize of a conference title wasn’t accomplished, leaving a feeling of needed improvement for this year’s squad. A new formation has helped the 2022 team adjust and become more aggressive.
Cardinal goalkeeper, Jordan Boyd, ’24, mentioned that it was definitely a process to shift over to this new style of play, but it has helped the overall surge of this team’s approach.
“When we changed our formation there were several questions from all positions on the field as to whose job is what now. We now focus on a more dynamic formation where it’s more creative and freer flowing than in years past,” said Boyd.
This creativity for the team has opened up all sorts of scoring avenues, which explains how the Cards average well over three goals per match.
Growth in chemistry
This shift in formation has allowed the team to develop much better interconnection with one another than what was on display last season.
“It forced us to be more collaborative with each other, forced us to trust one another, and it led us to try things we were not comfortable with last year, and in turn, it created a much more creative and dynamic style of play for us,” said Boyd.
Being able to sustain trust is another key factor in a group’s long-term success. Boyd has noticed this trait with this year’s squad and realizes the value it holds.
“I see more trust and collaboration in our team. I see us making connections on the field that were not being made or were not successful last season. We hold a lot of trust in each other that everyone is going to do their job on the field to the best of their ability,” said Boyd.
What’s next
Being ranked #19 in the Top 25 poll brings some added pressure that this group that hasn’t been seen in the last few seasons. The culture shift in the program has shown they’re ready to face any adversity thrown their way.
Sutter acknowledges the pressure her team feels. She knows the feeling of being an outsider looking in on being a top team in the CCIW.
“There is definitely a lot of pressure being ranked the top team in the conference. When I started here, we were kind of an underdog team and had to continually prove ourselves to the rest of the conference. Now that we are on the other side, we know that our opponents will always give us their best game because they want to be where we are. With that being said, the rankings are only predictions until we can prove it so there is a lot of pressure to live up to that role,” said Sutter.
NCC has a bit of a gap in their schedule before their next conference match. The Wheaton Thunder will come rolling into town Wednesday, Oct. 5; the CCIW home opener for the Cards.
