Lady Cougars Show Improvement

The Lady Cougars are getting better one day at a time.

Finishing the season 6-12 a year ago, the team wanted to improve on both sides of the ball. 

Even though a 3-3 overall record so far this season may not be the most impressive, it shows that the team is in the right direction. 

“I have seen a lot of improvements since last year,” head coach Nate Bantoe said. “Earlier on, we had some tough games but they're always battling."

After tying in its first game of the season, Springfield gained the team’s first win of the season a few days later against Central League opponent Haverford High School.

Just in a few games, you could already tell that the Lady Cougars were a different team this season.

“For right now I am satisfied with our progress,” said Bantoe. “I think we are coming along but we still have room to grow."

Springfield faced a roadblock when Strath Haven scored seven goals and shut them out. Some teams would start to foil after such a large defeat, but the Lady Cougars showed up with a 3-0 defeat against Archbishop Prendergast the next day.

Picking up the pieces after an agonizing defeat is something Springfield struggled with last season. This season, it shows they're learning from their mistakes.

I think we can win a lot more games,” said Bantoe. “We got bit with a little bit of an injury bug when Maddie Lynch went down. I still think we have a nice mix of kids. Even the younger kids, who I put into the game, are doing a good job. I think they handle themselves very well.”

With Lynch out in the midfield position, senior midfielder Lexi Psenicska is in charge of leading a young offensive group.

“She has stepped up in the middle,” said Bantoe. “To the right and left of her are two freshmen. She has been that calming presence as a veteran. She knows how to direct the flow of traffic.”

On Tuesday, Springfield fell to Conestoga 5-0, and still Bantoe will prepare his girls to bounce back.

“This is a positive step,” he said after the defeat. “Last year in the first thirty minutes against Conestoga we were down two goals already.”

Springfield held their own against ‘Stoga, one of the top teams in the area, and didn’t looked overmatched. A few unlucky bounces didn’t go the Lady Cougars way, which is what lead to the defeat.

“I think they fought today,” Bantoe said after the game. “It helps them going forward. They are learning things as we progress. They are developing a fighting mentality. For every extra time that you fight against a really good team, I think it helps your confidence a little bit. Some of the first-year girls see that they can play competitively.”

Three of the next four Lady Cougars' games are on the road, which will be just another test in a long season.

“Hopefully we will get something going against Penncrest and finish the week off in good fashion. That is kind of what I am hoping for."

One thing is for sure: You can count the Lady Cougars to battle and never give up, no matter how overmatched they may look.