Welcome to the 30th anniversary of Head Coach Spencer Smith’s coaching career, and his ninth year at Winthrop. Being the second women’s soccer coach in school history, his commitment, as well as the players’ dedication and skill, is definitely proving itself with a strong start to the season.
“Our players have shown an excellent work ethic in practice and in the games. Hopefully, the hard work put in by all the players will pay off in the games,” Smith said.
The team is currently 6-6-1 overall. They hope to dominate against UNC Asheville on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Smith explains how “there is no opponent [they] can take lightly. At this level [they] have to be prepared for every game and opponent.”
Some players have personal pregame traditions that they think will better prepare them for their upcoming match. Junior midfielder, Kendall Claxton may not be completely superstitious, but she jokes “it’s bad I always do the same thing” on game day. She makes sure to start her morning with coffee, then she goes to the Coliseum “super early for any treatment [she] might need.”
“After that I’m in the locker room listening to music with the team. Once we walk out onto the field I always pass the ball around with Megan Loveland,” Claxton said.
Loveland, a junior midfielder, said that in order to help her team succeed, she is “just focused on working hard and having a positive attitude” whenever she steps onto the field. “It all starts in practice,” she said.
Sometimes it is not what you do to prepare, but instead what you wear during the game. Greta Conboy, a senior defender, reveals how she “always wear[s] the same cleats and the same headband — both of which are different than [her] practice ones.”
Playing for fifteen years, Conboy said she has always “been lucky enough to be able to play with [her] twin sister.”
“I feel like we inspire each other and push each other to be the best that we can be. We remember that at the end of the day soccer is just a game and we do it to have fun — the fact that we have both been given the chance to play a division one sport here at Winthrop was an opportunity that we didn’t [want to] miss,” Conboy said.
Loveland says that her favorite part of the game is when her team scores. “There’s nothing like celebrating with your teammates,” she said.
Claxton says she loves being part of a program with some of her best friends, and that she is able to “live out [her] dream” from when she was just six years old. “I remember growing up and watching college girls play and wanting to be just like them,” she said.
Keeley Leising, senior defender, scored her first goal of the season, which also happened to be the winning and only goal of the game against Longwood, at a home match on Oct. 5. The shot was not until almost an hour into the game. Leising is also leading the team in the number of assists, having eight.
So far, senior midfielder Gabi Hull and senior forward Natalie Royaards are tied with the most number of goals this season, each having scored five times.
Conboy reflected on the most challenging game, claiming that she does not think her and her team prepared enough. In the away game against Gardner–Webb, the Eagles lost 3-1. Despite this difficult game, Conboy remains confident.
“We learned from it and bounced back and we have been on an undefeated streak ever since. And now we are second in the conference and fighting to host a first round game for the tournament,” Conboy said.
On the other hand, Loveland thinks playing against Campbell on Sept. 28 “was one of [the] toughest games.”
“We went to double over time and ended up tying after playing for 110 minutes. It was constantly back and forth, both teams had lots of shots and it was a very intense game,” Loveland said.
Despite these challenging games and a few losses this season, the team has only been brought closer together.
“I have been very impressed with our team camaraderie and each players willingness to play for their teammates. The players have developed an unselfish attitude as the season has progressed and it has been fun to watch,” Coach Smith said.
“I just remember how blessed I am to be able to play this game and represent this school. To have 28 girls that have my back. To have coaches that support me on and off the field. And to have family that will come to each game.These past four seasons have been even more than I expected and I’m excited to see how this season wraps up,” Conboy said. “Go Eagles!”
Photo: Kevin Seabrook/ The Johnsonian
