Queen Bees' soccer overcomes injuries

by: kris frye
Staff Writer

The St. Ambrose women’s soccer team did an almost unheard of thing last Wednesday. The number four-seeded Bees took on the top-seeded Viterbo Hawks in the semi-final game of the Midwest Classic Conference Tournament.

The catch - St. Ambrose started seven freshmen on the field. But the Ambrose soccer team has been in the face of adversity like this all season long.

Plagued by injuries, they still out shot their opponents eight shots to three in the first half of the match.

Unfortunately, the hard fought match ended in overtime as the Bee’s season came to close with a 1-0 loss.

Despite losing all-conference players Megan Mackenzie, Amanda Wilford and Lisa Corkery to injury, the Bees entered last Wednesday’s game with a 9-10 record.

Martha Stork, a team captain, also became injured and was not able to finish out the season.

In the midst of the once potentially disastrous season, senior captain Kathryn Ybarra took hold of the team.

"In her last year she has done a great job of stepping up her game and holding the team together," head coach Jon Mannall said.

The Bees finished conference play with a record of 4-3. The three conference losses were suffered to the top three teams in the conference, and each loss was decided by only one goal.

Coach Mannall said that standout freshman Shelby Van Gieson and Samantha Lee stepped up for the team and helped lead both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

A season highlight for the team this year took place in Decora, Iowa.

The Bees swept through the mid-September Luther tournament, with a convincing win over Wisconsin Lutheran sealing their championship.

With the loss of only two players to graduation this year, the women’s soccer team has much hope for next season.

The young core of freshman has has 3 more years to improve and shine. "It is looking very promising for next year," Mannall said.