Jennifer Hoffer – Sports Editor
The Owls women’s soccer team is 6-8-2 heading into tonight’s game.
Senior player, Janie Jannitto said although the team has been struggling this season they have worked hard to get where they are.
“Last season we lost a core group of starters,” Jannitto said. “This season we have had a lot of girls step up and play in those positions.”
Jannitto said she gives a lot of credit to the freshmen and sophomores in regards to the Owls wins this season.
“They have been thrown into big roles in games, and have done a good job,” Jannitto said.
The team has shown and Jannitto said that they have become closer over the past few years.
“We’re a lot closer both on and off the field,” Jannitto said. “There isn’t a day that doesn’t go by that we are not in constant contact with each other.”
For Jannitto, this will be her last season. But she said she takes away a lot over being part of the team.
“I’ve learned that it’s okay to be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” Jannitto said. “I’ve become more mature and more of a leader both on and off the field.”
Jannitto said that she’s satisfied with how she’s improved over the course of her seasons and is ending on a good note for her personally.
“I’ve really improved on my ability to lead,” Jannitto said. “I improved on specific skills like holding on to the ball, taking defenders on, and finishing my scoring opportunites.”
Jannitto said she credits a lot of her success in her soccer career to coach Cohen and her parents.
“My parents have been my biggest fans since day one,” Jannitto said. “They have supported me with all the soccer decisions I have made and traveling all across the country for different tournaments and games. For this, I thank them so much.”
They showed big improvement last Tuesday night when they tied with their rival College of Saint Rose.
College of Saint Rose is currently ranked No.3, nationally. They are undefeated, but the Owls handed them their first tie of the season.
Both defenses stepped up during the game, as it went into two overtimes, but ended in a draw, as neither team was able to score.
Still senior, Camille Fantini was pleased with watch she saw on the field that night.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Fantini said. “But we held our own. As long as we worked together we were going to be okay, if we worked together as a unit. “
With two games left in the season, Fantini said that if anything this game has given them confidence heading into those last games.
“This just shows that we could play against anyone,” Fantini said. “As long as we played the way we did tonight we should come out with some wins.”
The Owls take on Assumption College tonight and will wrap up their season with a home game, their senior day game, against Philadelphia University on Saturday.
As for next season Jannitto said that with the recent recruiting classes and the guidance of coach Cohen, the team and program is set to succeed for the next coming years.
“I love the freshmen class this year,” Jannitto said. “They have really fun personalities and are all good players. They definitely bring competition to the team and all of them will help the team succeed from now until their senior year.”
