Meramec makes the cut to keep the season going
By: KENNDRA ROBERTS
Staff Writer
Head Coach Juergen Huettner and the STLCC Lady Archers soccer team must have taken a note from the great football coach’s handbook this season. Prevailing through disappointments and several injuries, the team enter 2-0 in Region XVI openers against Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods. This will be the second match-up this season, as the Archers beat Maple Woods 6-0 back in September.
The Lady Archers are currently the regions top-ranked team at the start of the tournament, seeking to make a second consecutive national tournament appearance.
A 2-0 victory over St. Charles Community College propelled the Lady Archers into regionals. The two teams may possibly match up for a third time during regionals, having played twice during the regular season.
Lady Archer captain Jessica Smugala said she has high hopes for her team’s success.
“I feel really good about the win. We’ve been in the slump the last few games, but we finally got it together,” Smugala said. “If we play [St. Charles] again in regionals, we will definitely go harder and beat them again. We will be stronger.”
Sophomore center Donna Joliff said she agrees with her captain and is optimistic about her team’s abilities.
“We showed them who we are. We sent a clear message to them after this game. We are ready to play,” Joliff said. “I love our coaches. They are the best coaches I’ve ever worked with and I will always keep in touch.”
Huettner credits his teams triumph, but he does not fail to acknowledge the strength of the team they beat.
“Playing St. Charles and winning is good. They are a great team so being able to beat them twice this season is very special,” Huettner said.
St. Charles Community College is the only team to beat the undefeated Lewis and Clark College team this past season.
“At regionals, if we play them again, it will be a challenge,” Huettner said. “St. Charles will come out full throttle because we have beat them twice, but we will make some changes to beat them again.”
Overall, the Archers have adapted a can-do attitude this season and it paid off for them, according to Huettner. “This year has been the most talented group that I’ve worked with since coaching for STLCC. They are very technical and although many injuries offset the chemistry on the field many times, we always come together,” Huettner said.
Nov. 1 marked the start of traveling a road that will determine the future of the team. Huettner said the Lady Archers remain confident and optimistic.
“If we win regionals and get the chance to play at home we will be happy,” he said. “Home turf for us is always an advantage.”
