Improvements To Be Made

EAST PEORIA — The womens soccer team has a talented team this year but face some challenges if they plan on getting back to winning matches.

“We are a very talented team, our issue is we have to come together on the field,” said coach Emily Points about the upcoming season. “As far as learning different runs and how different people play, that is our biggest issue right now.”

The Cougars will play shorthanded this year with only 16 players on the roster, where the men carry 18 on their team this year. Injuries so far this year have played havoc on that 16 player roster.

“We aren’t deep this year and don’t have a big roster,” Points said. “When you have one or two out it really affects us this year.”

In the last couple years the team has struggled to score in games, which has taken them out of most games. Recruiting this year hopes to help that issue out. In the first regular season game of the year they lost to Iowa Central 9-1.

“It is kind of frustrating, we did recruit some infielders and forwards that should be able to finish,” Points said. “I think one of our issues is attacking, we have to finish and they have to have confidence to shoot the ball.”

Points says the sophomore that has improved the most from last year is Jesse Markas.

“She has improved so much, she is working harder and is in better shape physically,” Points said. “She works so hard and is a captain this year and a workhorse.”

Some sophomores to watch out for besides Markas are Maddie Cordts and Miranda Morgan.

Shauna Giltinan and Megan Wilson, both from England, are freshman this year and Coach Points is looking at them to have good years.

Points has recruited nine players on the team this year coming from the Mid-Illini Conference, which includes East Peoria, Pekin, Washington and one from Peoria Christian.

Check back online for a score from the Sept. 4 game against Bradley at Morton.