GCSU’s Women’s Soccer team has had a very even season this year, with most of their matches ending in a tie. Outside of their three draws, the Bobcats have recorded a nearly even seven wins and six losses.
The team was expected to win sixth place in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) this season. Of the top five teams, Columbus State University, the University of North Georgia, Flagler University and Lander University were all picked ahead of the Bobcats in the first five spots.
So far, the Women’s Soccer team has been beaten by all of the teams placed before them in the preseason rankings, other than Lander. Despite this, only two of the team’s losses were not predicted by the preseason PBC coaches’ votes, and they still hold five victories in the PBC.
GCSU’s 2024 season debuted on Frock Field at Catawba College where the Bobcats pulled out a 2-1 win. Two days later, on the same field, they lost 3-1.
At GCSU’s home field, forward/midfielder Ava Martin, midfielder Adrianna Duque, forward/midfielder Abbey Eison and forward Ali Amrozowicz each scored a goal against Middle Georgia State University. Martin and Eison scored two more goals against Valdosta State University later on Sept. 14, contributing to a 3-0 win.
To finish off the month of September, the Bobcats took three more losses against Florida Southern College, No.1 Columbus State University and No.3 Flagler College.
Also, in September, GCSU tied non-conference Auburn University at Montgomery in their game on the Bobcat Soccer Field with both teams recording one goal.
Most recently, during October, the Bobcats collected three wins and only two losses. On Oct. 5, the team won against Christian Brothers College with a score of 4-1, then tied against Clayton State and the University of South Carolina Beaufort, with neither team recording any goals in their games.
Losses for the soccer team seem to be dwindling as the season progresses. With only two losses in October so far, and having taken care of the University of South Carolina Aiken 4-1, GCSU should be able to leave this split season in the past.
“It’s definitely going to get better,” said Taylor Salvaggio, a senior defender. “We played, probably, our harder games at the very beginning. Now, those teams are playing each other or teams that are even with us.”
With the Bobcats’ final non-PBC game against Emmanuel University set for Oct. 30 being canceled, they have the opportunity to prepare with more rest to try to end the regular season with a win and propel them into the playoffs with momentum.
Salvaggio is confident about the rest of the season. Those close to the program seem to agree that the team has improved significantly, and now that the hardest part of the season is behind them, that improvement should start to show even more in games.
The Bobcats are back in action for senior day on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Bobcat Soccer Field against Georgia Southwestern State University to close out the regular season.
