As the women’s soccer team heads into its last four conference games over the next week and a half, the team finds itself plagued by injuries and attempting to prove their naysayers wrong. 

“All the injuries this season have really thrown us a curveball,” sophomore forward Kara Baldy said. “Fortunately we have a lot of depth on this team to help fill in the gaps.”

Baldy will miss the rest of the season due to an ACL injury suffered during a nonconference match against William & Marry in September. In just nine games this season, Baldy compiled six goals and three assists, and still ranks second on the team in points scored this season.

Senior captain and forward Lindsay Vera said she is pleased with the way the team stepped up to fill in the empty spots.

“It’s been hard, some days are good and some days are bad but we’ve adjusted really well,” she said.

Though a 0-6 conference record seems to reflect the injuries taking their toll, the team hasn’t lost hope or focus. The team’s last four conference matches against Wake Forest, Maryland, Miami and Florida State, will be the real test of what it can do. 

“It’s a tough road when you’re injured. You’re not out there on the field; your focused on your rehab,” said head coach Laura Kerrigan said after practice Tuesday. “We have confidence in ourselves. With the players and coaches we have on our team, we fully believe we will win these next four games.”

There is a lot of negative attention being aimed in the team’s direction with an overall record of 5-8, which is not much improved from last season’s record of 6-10. Still, both players and coaches try to use the negative attention as motivation to continue to practice and play as hard as possible. With motivation and continued hard work the team feels that they will finish the season on a good note with a few more great wins.

“The 5-0 scores and 3-0 scores don’t really do our games justice; they’re closer than the score looks. Little things here and there will put us back on top,” Vera said. “We really have nothing to lose; we’re just out to prove that we’re not going to stay at the bottom of the ACC. We’re going to give it all we’ve got.” 

Coach Kerrigan is glad her players can turn the negative attention in motivation.

“We have confidence in ourselves and that’s the most important part,” she said. “People can say what they want; that’s just a part of sports.”

Even from the sidelines, it is obvious for Baldy to see that the team is practicing and playing hard.

“They can’t question our work ethic. We practice hard and play hard.”