Women’s Soccer Team Finding Success Through Chemistry

Coming off a very successful 2016 season, the bar was set high for the Pitt-Greensburg Women’s Soccer Team. Last season the team finished in second place, which was the best in program history. Despite these high expectations, the ladies managed to have another successful season.

The team ended up having its second-best record in program history; ending with a regular season record of 9-7-1 and making it to playoffs.

“It was a good season. On the field I think we performed well,” senior goalkeeper Shannon Edwards said. “But, I think the team was the closest it’s been since we got here. Both on and off the field we did great.”

The highlight of the team’s season was its regular season finale win over Altoona.

“We had to win it to make the playoffs. But also another team had to lose,” senior Maggie Kelly said. “We won and then they announced over the loud speaker that the other team had lost. It was like a double win.”

Another one of the team’s best games was the rivalry game against Saint Vincent.

Senior Hayley Hulbert said, “It’s the route 30 rivalry and they thought they were going to blow us out of the water.”

The ladies ended playing in a dominant 5-1 win.

One of team’s favorite traditions is the Halloween practice.

Kelly said, “We dress up in costumes and play a tournament. It gets competitive but it’s fun. It’s truly iconic.”

Junior Bri Burgunder brought both leadership and offense to the team. She was not only the leading goal scorer, but also was the team’s captain.

In addition to Burgunder’s success, Edwards said, “Camile (Hickman) anchored the midfield and had the second most goals.”

However, this season was a team effort. With a small roster, everyone had to contribute.

“We’ve never been a team with one person who dominates. It’s always a lot of individuals who are strong in different ways and we find a way to make it work,” Kelly said. “Of course, it helps to have coaches who care.”

Senior Camile Hickman’s advice to her younger teammates is, “Stick it out. You’ve got to be both mentally and physically tough.  Don’t let the small stuff get to you.”

Hulbert added, “You’re going to make some of your best friends and best memories here. You’ll have a good group of girls. I see them going back to the playoffs.”

The four seniors are all going to miss the soccer program as they move on to other things in life.

Edwards said, “As the years have gone by we’ve gotten closer every year. That’s something special that our program has done and I know that’s hard to do. We’ve overcome a lot of adversity as a team. We usually have a short bench, injuries, and players leaving but we’re still able to make playoffs.”

Kelly added, “We’re all really close friends outside of soccer.”

Good luck to Maggie, Shannon, Haley, and Camile in life and congrats on great careers at Pitt-Greensburg.