Leading a team to a victorious season is not unlike putting together a complicated puzzle. From players, to coaches, to plays – everything must fit together just right.

And fitting together just right is what the Park University Women’s Soccer team is striving for this season.

“When you bring in a new team, there is always potential of doing really well,” said Ken Hefner, head coach.  “Coordinating all of them to be as one is a growing factor through this whole season. We have a good group but it may take time to gel, they all come from different backgrounds and they all have the potential to be great both individually and as a team.”

The team showed its potential when they boosted their winning record up one more game with a 6-1 victory over Lyon College.

Leading the Pirate scoreboard with three goals was Freshman Midfielder Emma Chatterton. Freshman Midfielder Gabi Severns followed with two goals of her own and one goal was scored by the effort of the whole team.

Regular season play is not the only goal on these players’ minds. They are already thinking about and preparing for a bigger stage.

“As a team our goals are to win conference and make it to the national tournament,” said Alisha Hoskins, senior goalkeeper. “We want to do better than we did last year and build team unity with our players.”

Along with team unity, players need to see support from their fellow classmates and Hoskins said she’s been seeing much more of that.

“We’ve had more support from students than ever before and we really appreciate it,” she said.

The lady Pirates record is 3-4 but the coaches and players are hopeful.

“I think right now we are kind of on a bump but once we overcome the bump in the road we have the potential to be great,” said Valeria Espadas, junior midfielder.

The team’s next home game will be at noon Saturday, Oct. 4, at Julian Field against Harris-Stowe State University.

“They are good players,” Coach Hefner said, “Come watch them do things that people can’t do with a ball. Come and have a good time.”