Scoring troubles plague homestand

The game had equal opportunities from each side, with strong defensive efforts from both teams. After 90 minutes though, the score was a second straight 0-0 draw for the women.

The Marauders had a solid defensive game, holding their ground when it was important. Regardless, Mac could not put the ball in the back of the net.

We’ve got to work on our attacking play, we’ve worked very hard on defensive stuff, and we’ve put a lot of things right,” said Brett Mosen, the Marauder’s head coach. After adjusting the team’s offensive play along with their solid defensive core, they hope to soon become a force to be reckoned with.

With the loss of some key players on the women’s soccer team from last year such as captain Melanie Van der Hoop, the Marauders keep moving forward with the playoffs in mind. According to Mosen, the departure of these players seems to have made the team better overall.

“As a whole, the squad is stronger, because they have all invested in an off-season program — working hard, every player is stronger than last year, making us a stronger unit,” Mosen said. Physically, one of the team’s biggest challenges is not skill, but the demanding schedules from the players, according to the coach.

“Our biggest challenge is back-to-back games, because you’re asking player to give 110 per cent for 90 minutes,” Mosen said. “Now you’re asking them to do it again.”

With a tough and demanding schedule ahead of them, the girls will have to push themselves for a win.

Finishing last season with a record of 8-5-1, the team will take their strengths forward this season looking to improve. With a record of 3-1-2, after a 3-0 road victory on Sept. 15 against the UOIT Razorbacks, the Maroon and Grey are third place within the OUA. The team is certainly looking to climb the standings and catch first place Laurier who the Marauders will face on Sept. 23 in Waterloo.

Next up on the schedule, Mac will face the Brock Badgers. The game will be taking place on Friday with kickoff at 1 p.m. It has been a positive start, but the team still has some room to improve. A game against the lowly Badgers (1-3-0) could help ease the growing pains.