The players had an indoor practice before their first game because of weather. “After a long day of classes, I look forward to going to see people I know at soccer,” junior co-founder Rachel Reineke said. “Knowing that I will get to see my friends and that it will be fun.” (Sophia Becker/TommieMedia)
The women’s club soccer team was founded this year. The co-founders first had the idea for the club in March and began the club formation process in April of this year. (Sophia Becker/TommieMedia)
Club leaders and members watch the team practice. “There are some really good girls here, I’m really impressed with the talent we have on this team,” sophomore member Megan Karnuth said. (Sophia Becker/TommieMedia)
The women’s club soccer team receives their jerseys at practice. The team won its first game of the season 5-0 Sept. 23 against the University of Wisconsin-River Falls’ soccer club. (Sophia Becker/TommieMedia)
Players warm up before practice with footwork drills. The club has no tryouts and is open to undergraduate women of all skill levels. (Sophia Becker/TommieMedia)
St. Thomas has a new women’s club soccer team founded by juniors Stephanie Schaffer and Rachel Reineke.
The co-founders first had the idea for the club in March and began its formation process in April of this year.
“We wanted to create an alternative for women on campus who wanted to play soccer and have it be different from the intramurals but less competitive than varsity,” said Schaffer.
The club has no tryouts and is open to women of all skill levels and undergraduate year.
Sara Osborne, a recent St. Thomas alumna and one of the two coaches for the team, is especially enthusiastic about getting started.
“It’s going to be really fun to see these girls playing together, and seeing how it all translates from the small-sided field,” Osborne said.
Due to a lack of field space, the club will play each of its four games this season away. Between organizing the club and recruiting players, the team only started practice a week before its first game.
“Right now, we’re kind of just in a situation where we don’t know how everybody plays,” club member and St. Thomas sophomore Megan Karnuth said. “Even if we have strong individuals, we haven’t really formed as a team yet.”
Despite starting this season as a new club, the athletes are looking forward to their upcoming games.
“There are some really good girls here. I’m really impressed with the talent we have on this team,” Karnuth said. “Everyone seems to really know what they’re doing.”
Whether they win or lose, the players are happy to be on the field, and welcome their first game as an important learning opportunity.
All that hard work and enthusiastic energy is paying off. The team won its first game of the season 5-0 Sept. 23 against the University of Wisconsin-River Falls’ soccer club. Its second game, against the University of Minnesota Duluth soccer club, ended in a 2-2 draw.
Sawyer Rutan can be reached at sawyer.rutan@stthomas.edu.