Sports

Women’s soccer team confident despite winless start

 

Another season and the Lady Tigers soccer team’s woes continue.  After a 2011 campaign that saw the Lady Tigers go 1-17, they have started this season 0-4.  

If all you looked at were the scores from their last three games – a 6-2 loss to Arkansas State, a 4-0 loss to Northwestern State, and a 3-0 loss at Southeastern -you might expect this season to be just as dreadful as last year’s.

This is not the way Grambling’s coach  Totty O. Totty sees things. 

“We may have had some stumbles, but we’re working hard. The players are working hard and committed. Every day in practice and in every game they have shown progress. 

“I feel we’re very close to breaking through and once we do’ things will begin to roll for us,” said Totty.

Is this blind optimism, more monotonous “coachspeak” or is Totty really onto something?  On the surface it may seem like the Lady Tigers aren’t competitive but watch them play and you come away with a different perception.

Every match the Lady Tigers have played this season has followed a similar pattern: start slowly; allow the opponent to gain the advantage; concede a goal; play evenly through long stretches of the match; fade toward the end; concede more goals.  

In every match this season, Grambling has conceded the first goal and only in the opener against ULM a 1-0 loss, did they keep the score from getting ugly.   

Despite these results coach Totty remains positive and confident

“We’ve opened the season with some tough opponents which have challenged us but have prepared us. 

“The players bought into what we’re doing, and they’re starting to believe in how good they are and how good we can be.”

Totty’s assessment seems to be bolstered when you look at some of the standout players who have preformed admirably for the team.  

Goalkeeper Nahomie Lagardere has been solid in net, including a 12-save game against Southeastern. 

Forward Sierra Arndt has played hard and used her speed to create chances for her team. Arndt has scored the only two goals Grambling has managed this season.  

Senior Courtney Blunt has been a vocal leader and solid in defense.

Totty went on to say, “I know, I feel good that we will peak at the right time going into conference.”

Very soon we will all find out if coach Totty and his Lady Tigers have gained from their rough early season.  The team opens SWAC play Friday at Southern followed by a game Sunday at Jackson State.  The next home game is Oct. 5 against Prairie View.