Halfway through the season, the women’s indoor soccer team hardly has a scratch on their record.  With a record of 6-1, the team has only lost to Notre Dame Prep (NDP) this year. 

Coach Gary Lynch foresaw NDP as their hardest game because “they are typically a strong team.” 

On December 11, senior Liz Loiodice made three of the team’s five goals, with senior Melissa Lookingland’s assistance on all three goals.  Even with the goals made by Loiodice, Lookingland, and senior Colleen O’Connell, as Lynch put it “NDP outplayed JC.”  They will get another shot at playing NDP on January 25.

One of the most notable victories for the Patriots was their 11-1 win against Friends School on November 24, despite having   fewer players than usual. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, two players were missing and three more had to leave in the middle of the game.  But by the half, the team was in the lead 6-1.  Even with a change of sophomore Leah Pace’s normal position of attack to a defensive back and the addition of senior Kara Fassio to the offensive line, JC scored five more goals in the second half.  

Similarly, the team won 10-0 against St. Paul’s School for Girls on December 18.  The game started out with JC putting heavy pressure on the St. Paul’s defense.  After JC scored the first goal, St. Paul’s could not get their offense going. 

Lynch sees Loiodice, Lookingland, O’Connell, senior Alex Mezzanotte, and sophomore Erica Bodt as the driving force on the team. 

The team’s weakness in Lynch’s opinion is “staying focused on playing the game.”  The different, “more relaxed and fun atmosphere” of indoor soccer increases this problem. 

Mezzanotte agrees with Lynch.  “It’s more relaxed.  We’re not as upright.  We often take it too easy.” She believes that the problem can be overcome by playing hard and staying focused. 

With the success they have made so far, the team has high hopes for an indoor championship title.  “I expect to go to championships,” Mezzanotte said.  “I will be very disappointed if we don’t.”

Rachel Kokoska can be reached for comment at [email protected].