Senior Night: Lady Braves down Tabor College

The Lady Braves defeated Tabor College 2-0 during senior night on Nov. 2 in People’s Bank Field.

Sophomores took advantage of Tabor’s goalkeeper’s errors after a cross by Sawyer Sheufele and Morgan Trupp, then a pass by Annie Kessler, scored the two goals in the first half. The Bluejays didn’t have any shots on goal all game.

This victory moved Ottawa’s KCAC record to 6-2, getting them back on the winning track after a hard loss against Kansas Wesleyan that ruined their chances of becoming regular season co-champions a week before.

Coach Mark Gordon said that he wasn’t worried about the loss against Kansas Wesleyan because the team has been solid all year.

“I think we’re very close to getting to our top performance,” Gordon said. “If we can learn from the lesson of that match and apply to our matches in the postseason I will look forward to play them again.”

The Lady Braves were just waiting to see who they have to face in the conference tournament, hoping they get to face Kansas Wesleyan again.

“They have a good history in the last three years, but we are a team that has beaten and tied against them,” Coach Gordon said. “We’re there with them. We just need to work on a few small things and we can get it done.”

Coach Gordon said that it might sound like a cliché, but they have to focus on keeping their composure, especially in those games that seem to be bigger than the rest.

“It is vital not giving the opponent anything extra to drive them and being composed and carrying on the business of the match itself,” Gordon said.

Senior Night

Before the game against Tabor College started, seniors Taylor Mays, Kaitlyn Stinson and Jasmine Robledo were recognized for their success both on and off the field.

Coach Mark Gordon expressed his feelings about the three guests of honor.

Gordon said that the three have been a very good example of what is possible if you put your mind to doing something.

Robledo, for example, is on track to finishing her college degree in only three years.

“What can I say? She’s unique,” Gordon said. “I’m amazed by her academic abilities.”

Gordon remarked that besides her success in the classroom, she continued to grow in the program as well.

“She’s seen more minutes every year,” Gordon said. “She has grown into such a great young person. She has come out of her shell. She is a little quiet, you know? But she has so much to offer beyond being a soccer player.”

Stinson, who redshirted her freshman year but decided to stay when Coach Gordon arrived, has been a picture of consistancy.

“She has continued to work hard,” Gordon said. “I’ve seen her growth and her confidence when she is in the net, commanding the back part.”

Gordon described her as another example of good leadership away from the field.

“She is involved with residence life as an RA—she’s done it for three years,” he said. “She set a good example of what we want to stay away from the field as well.”

Finally, Gordon discussed Mays, who along with Stinson, spent her four years here in Ottawa under his coaching.

“She is really the key to our defense for four years,” Gordon said. “Even as a freshman, she received a first team KCAC selection.”

Gordon talked about the things she does on and off campus. He said that Mays’ leadership on the field, as a captain this year, has helped younger players to understand what he hopes they will one day achieve.

“We haven’t won all the games but we have been competitive.”

Mays shows her leadership off the field by doing the right thing.

“She’s been a role model, she has carried the legacy of the program very well,” Gordon said.

Gordon said that the girls have made a real impact on the team as a whole.

“They put their own mark on things in terms of an acceptance of the new players and making eveybody feel welcome as part of the team,” he said. “Each one of them will be missed, but it’s part of the cycle. I know they are looking for graduate school opportunities. I feel like wherever they land, the school they go to will be blessed to have these young women.”