With two goals in each game, sophomore Autumn Surage guided the Lady Braves to their first two wins of the season, beating Avila University (Mo.) and Briar Cliff University (Iowa). These wins in the Black and Gold Tournament came on the heels of a 1-2 overtime loss in the season opener against Rogers State University (Okla.).
Surage’s streak started Sept. 2, when she scored two goals in the first half of the game against Avila. The Lady Braves won the game 2-1.
The next day, Surage scored two more goals and was a key element on the other to help the team down Briar Cliff University 3-0.
“It is the first time I scored two goals in consecutive games,” Surage said. “I feel like our biggest challenge was figuring out how to play with all the new faces we have on the team. We also had to adjust a little bit because some of the starting players were injured.”
Coach Mark Gordon also felt the team did well in handling the circumstance they were dealt.
“I think we did a good job, only being our second and third game of the season, with so many young players,” he said. “Our juniors and seniors really helped us.”
Additionally, Gordon expressed his approval to the way the team played in the tournament.
“We were fairly organized behind the ball, in the sense of shape,” he said. “We executed most of the things we have been going over in the terms of our attack. We put the ball on the ground. I think we moved the ball around pretty well.”
Sophomore defender Jordan Tapia said the team had its struggles during the tournament, but they are improving.
“We suffered a lot with the heat those two days,” she said. “I feel like we have not reached the peak in our game, but it is coming together really well. I am sure we can be much better.”
Gordon agreed with that, adding where improvements could be made.
“We can be more consistent throughout the game, playing at a higher tempo,” he said. “That would come from keeping the ball. On the defensive side, we need to have more communication between our players.”
Surage said a key factor for the success of this team is their chemistry on and off the field.
“I think our team chemistry is much better than last year,” she said. “We are really close to each other.”
Gordon, Surage and Tapia set the bar high when asked about their goals for this season, both individually and as a team.
Tapia wants to be more of a leader, while Surage would like to make the KCAC First team.
As a group, the goal is clear.
“I want to be undefeated, win conference and go farther than last year in nationals,” Surage said.
Tapia also believes this could be the year.
“We have never passed the first round of nationals in our program history. I want to be part of that team that makes history.”
Gordon said the team has the leadership in place to make these goals come true.
“We have a lot of new faces, but at the same time some of our returners, like Stephanie Segura, Sam Mayfield and Caitlin Parise have been there twice. They know what is necessary to get to that point.”