By Nader Hussein & Rachel Levy 

As fall turns to winter, and the weather gets colder, outdoor sports have come to a close. The seasons are over, and it is time for the athletes and coaches to look back at their performances to see what can be improved on for coming seasons. Here, we take a look at the team performances.

Photo Courtesy of suhornets.com

The Shenandoah University football team ended the season on a four-game losing streak, leaving them with a 4-6 record. The team jumped out to a 3-0 start for the first time in program history, but then results declined and they only won one of their remaining seven games, finishing seventh of eight teams in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC).

“As a unit, we lost focus,” explained junior wide receiver Qlyl Middelijn. “We might’ve gotten a little cocky and gotten big heads after starting the season 3-0.”

The quick start and steady decline reflected by Middelijn’s quote was equally applicable to the men’s soccer team. The team also started out winning their first three matches, but then went on to win only two of their remaining 12. They were lead in goals by senior captain Nate Long with five, and freshman Tyler Strozeski lead the team with three assists.

“We had the expectation of making the ODAC playoffs, and we came up just short of that,” said Long. “I’m pretty disappointed with that and I think the team, as a whole, is disappointed about that.”

Photo Courtesy of suhornets.com

Men’s and women’s cross country both finished in seventh at the ODAC Championships at Bridgewater College with ten schools competing in the event. Two weeks later, at the NCAA Division III South/Southeast Regional Championships, the men’s team finished ranked number 19, with the women holding the rank of 23.

Photo Courtesy of suhornets.com

Shenandoah University field hockey team had a breakout season.  The lady hornets went on a nine-game win streak after an early four game losing streak.  With this nine game win streak and a few more wins in the season the women had a winning record of 11-7 for the season.

Even though they were out earlier than anticipated in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) tournament, many of the girls on the team were still honored in the ODAC.  Five of the players made all-ODAC, which is a big accomplishment, leading the ODAC in statistics.  These five players were Kelani Bailey, Presha Merritt, Alana Meadows, Sarah Brock, and Elizabeth Pardo.  Not only was Presha Merritt named all ODAC but also All-Region for field hockey.

Photo Courtesy of suhornets.com

This fall the women’s soccer team on Shenandoah’s campus came out strong wanting some victories.  The Lady Hornets had a slow start to the season starting with five close losses.  After that fifth game they got the hang of it and started getting lots of W’s.  They ended the season with an impressive 13-7-1 record.

The women made it to the ODAC semifinals where they had a tough second half lost to Roanoke, whom they beat earlier in the season.

Danielle Burris, Michelle Krause, Erin Septer, Elizabeth Bellido, Jennifer Nguyen, and Alysha McCleaf were all named all-ODAC.

Now that the fall is over, we look forward to what the winter sports can provide as well as future seasons.