Waynesburg University Athletics Waynesburg University’s women’s soccer team suffered two close losses as it began Presidents’ Athletic Conference play.
On Sept. 25, the Yellow Jackets lost 1-0 to Westminster at John F. Wiley Stadium.
The only goal conceded was on a penalty kick in the 42nd minute.
On Sept. 28, Waynesburg played Bethany on the road and lost, 2-1. After Waynesburg went down 1-0 to start the game, Julz Mohrbacher, who led the team in goals last year, scored the equalizer in the 25th minute. Just two minutes later, Bethany responded with its second goal of the game, a lead they were able to maintain for the remainder of the match.
This week, Waynesburg will shift its focus to the Allegheny Gators and Washington and Jefferson Presidents. Both games will be at home with Allegheny visiting on Oct. 1 and Washington and Jefferson on Oct. 5.
After a week that presented many challenges, head coach George DeAugustino is now focused on their upcoming opponents.
“It is always fun to battle teams from the PAC. We cannot look past a great Allegheny team. They will be another tough matchup,” DeAugustino said. “Saturday will have a little extra meaning. We have played a lot of close games versus Washington and Jefferson over the last three years. A lot of draws, postseason and overtime matches.”
It was a razor thin 1-0 margin in last year’s PAC Tournament, which saw Waynesburg claim victory.
In the last 20 matchups between the two, Waynesburg has only managed to win 3 times.
Senior attacker Demaree Livingston, who is one of a small group of seniors on the roster, provided a message to her team as they navigate conference play.
“I would say we need to just stay grounded and not let a rough patch define us. We have been through challenges before, and we know how to bounce back. It is just important for us in these situations to stay positive, together and keep working hard,” Livingston said. “As a team we always talk about adversity, and it is just part of the game, but how we respond is what really matters.”
Livingston, who’s started in all eight games and has four points on the year, is confident in her team’s ability to start producing more offensively.
“I definitely believe in our offense because we have the talent and potential to see results,” Livingston said. “This team has always been resilient, so I am confident that as we keep pushing forward, the pieces will come together. We just need to stay patient, stay positive, and trust in each other.”
Waynesburg, just a year removed from reaching the second round of the PAC playoffs, will look to start a positive trend this week. They will have a chance to do that against two more conference teams. Start times from John F. Wiley Stadium on Oct. 2 against Allegheny and Washington and Jefferson on Oct. 5 are set for 5:30 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.