After starting the season 2-0, the Vikings have stumbled a bit losing their last two games only scoring one goal in that stretch. The Vikings intend on turning that around with having three matches in the next two weekends with one of those matches coming against tough opponent Olivet.
There is always room for concern when your team loses a couple of games in a row but when talking to Coach Meija he kept it quite simple.
“In the first four games, I think we have been organized and certainly have shown better athleticism all over the field than last year. We have created some good build-up play, but we are lacking a bit in connecting the final pass to get players free for a shot or chance to score an easy chance. Over the last two games, we were bullied by the opponent and that had a significant effect on our play,” said Coach Meija.
Soccer is based on team chemistry and with the Vikings having a majority underclass team, there are definitely going to be questions about how the team will perform early on.
“The team has amazing chemistry. That’s how it has always been and that’s how it is this year. Having more younger girls on the team just means us older girls have more opportunity to connect with them, the seniors this year have made a conscientious effort to bring positivity and focus to every training and match,” said Senior Grace Iaquinta.
The Vikings haven’t played Olivet while playing under Coach Meija but he knows it will be a tough task especially with having a busy schedule up ahead.
“There isn’t much time to prepare, as we play this Saturday and next Tuesday so our training will be in reaction to what we see this weekend and next Tuesday, but Olivet plays in a good league and is currently 4-1, with their first loss coming last night so we know it will be a difficult test,” says Coach Meija.
There is a lot of the season left to go but the Vikings enter a crucial stretch of matches early on forcing themselves to prove to the rest of the league who they are.