WICHITA, Kan.—
After letting a game against Kapaun Mt. Carmel slip away 1-0, the Trinity Academy girls’ soccer team is looking towards the rest of the season, and what they can improve.A goal from the top of the box with just nine minutes left ruined the Knights chances of defeating the Crusaders for the first time. Many Trinity players feel as if the game could have, and should have, been theirs.
“We really need to start winning the games that should be ours to win,” said Lindsay Porter. “We are letting those games slip through our fingers.”
One of the biggest issues this season has been putting the ball in the back of the net. Whether the Knights get the ball in goal-scoring position and they just don’t finish, or the goal-scoring opportunities just don’t happen at all.
The Knights have only scored four goals in their five games against the best teams on their schedule in Kapaun, Bishop Carroll, Dodge City, Valley Center and Rose Hill.
Coach Tom Nykamp has been considering shuffling his players around in order to create more goal-scoring opportunities. The decision became tougher when he realized how strong his defense has been, but he knows a strong defense can only take you so far.
“You can’t win if you can’t score goals,” said Nykamp.
The Knights midfield has struggled recently with ball control. Trinity has not gotten the ball to move up the field and their youth has shown through. The Knights get easily frazzled and are not as strong as some of the older teams they play.
The Knights have another meeting with Valley Center on Monday at home. The Knights will look to build on their 2-0 victory from March 29.
“We’re ready for Valley Center again,” said senior Sarah Lewis.
