News & Views
The 2006-07 Women's Soccer team. Back Row: Coach Micah Lipscomb, Megan Campbell, Amanda Slagle, Tera Hughes, Christine Peterson. Second Row: Rachel Surber, Dawn Storie, Kristen McJunkin, Kat Jones, Brandi Giroux. Front Row: Whitney Lopez, Cindy Phillips, Shelley Phillips, Amanda Beagle, Lindsey Allen. (OWU Photo)
Running To The Goal
Micah Lipscomb has taken the reigns as women’s soccer coach. Lipscomb previously coached the varsity men’s soccer team at Bartlesville High School. He leads a squad of 14, half of them newcomers.
The ladies have a 5 and 9 record this season. Although the majority of these games are not wins, the ladies are pleased with the improvements they have made from last season.
“We are definitely a lot stronger than last year,” team captain Amanda Slagle said. “We have already scored more goals in the first 3 games than we scored the entire season last year.”
Lipscomb credits Benware for many of these improvements.
“Brenton did an excellent job at recruiting. We are starting a lot of freshmen. They’ve brought in a lot of energy and have stepped up and made an impact,” Lipscomb said.
With a new squad and a new coach, the team has clear, obtainable goals for this season.
Amanda Beagle pulls away from an opponent. (OWU Photo)
“My goal is for us to get better each game, regardless of the results and record,” Lipscomb said, “to see improvement each game whether it be technical or tactical.”
Two captains lead the ladies, Slagle and Rachel Surber, who were elected by the team based on leadership shown on and off the field. Lipscomb credits their outstanding efforts in the season opener versus John Brown as proof of their work ethic on the field.
“If coach is late to practice, we get things going and get ready as a team,” Slagle said. “Keeping the team encouraged is a big part of our role. Rachel is really good at that.”
The team continues to prepare for the conference season by continuing to build on their strengths and address weaknesses. One challenge the team faces is a lack of substitutes, which leaves many of the team members playing the entire 90 minutes.
Slagle attributes their strong showing on the field to team unity.
“Our relationship as a team is a huge factor in how we play,” Slagle said. “It’s like playing with friends and sisters. We know how each other move on the field and know how to react.”
The team is looking forward to finishing the season building on its strengths and its unity.
See the team schedule.