In 2018, the women’s soccer team had a season that was marked by close games. The team’s 6-10 record could’ve been very different if the four games decided by one goal had some more bounces that went the Quakers’ way.

Although the Quakers top point-getter from last year, Juliana Evans-Anfom who had three goals and four assists, has graduated, the team has retained eight out of the top 10 scorers from last year.

Sharing the spot for scoring the second most in 2018 were senior Kelsey Reilly and sophomore Emily Shephard. The pair scored eight points each on three goals, two assists, and two goals and four assists, respectively.

In 2018, sophomore Aubrey Gunther took the lion’s share of responsibility in net for the Quakers. Gunther amassed 64 saves and earned a 2.2 goals allowed average in her first-year campaign.

A month through the season the women’s soccer team sits at 5-3-1. Through nine matches the team has averaged over two goals a game for and 1.08 points against.

Junior Captain and Goalkeeper Morgan Malikowski has taken the majority of the minutes in the net through nine games. Malikowski amassed 19 saves, earning a .731 save percentage and recorded one shutout.

Sophomore Karol Jaimes has had a strong start to her second collegiate campaign. Jaimes leads the team in points with 14 on seven goals.

“They have been my motivation to play (hard). At the end of the day, we all know that we play for each other,” said Jaimes. “The highlight of my season has been making the free kick in the last couple of seconds in the game versus Averett. It was nice seeing everyone excited and celebrating with me afterward.”

Sophomore transfer and midfielder Sydney Moss sits second in points. Moss has earned nine points, tallying three goals and three assists.

“Coming in as a transfer, I received constant support from my teammates and coaching staff on and off the field,” said Moss. “Having such a strong culture on this team has led to a positive atmosphere to be able to improve.”

The team has many fresh faces on the pitch this fall. Third-year coach Stephanie Webb has been utilizing many first-year students or transfers, starting at least three first-year Guilfordians in seven out of nine games

First-year Sarah Hall has participated in all nine of the team’s contests. She is tied for third on the team in points with fellow newcomer Taylor Rumrill.

Both have collected seven points on three goals and one assist. Rumrill, a Mooresville native, has earned seven starts in the season.

Now almost halfway through the season, the Quakers have started their conference schedule 1-0. The 2018 team finished 4-6 in the conference.

The team said that one of their goals for this season is to make the ODAC playoffs. This is a feat that the team hasn’t accomplished since 2011.

“As a team, we just need to keep a high level of intensity in practice that can carry over towards our attitudes when we play games,” said junior captain Morgan Malikowski. “At times we have a tendency to play to other teams levels and lose focus on the game at hand and panic. We just need to learn to keep a high-pressure game and have fun because we tend to play better when we work together as a unit and play like we know that we can.”

In upcoming action, the Quakers will travel to Randolph-Macon on Oct. 5. Following the one-game road trip, the team will host Roanoke College on Oct. 9 for their Greensboro United Soccer Federation Day.

Editor’s note: This story originally was published in Volume 106, Issue 1 of The Guilfordian on Oct. 4, 2019.