Tyler Horning/Collegian
Sophomore Jodie Haines defends during an earlier game this season.
The Lady Chargers have a solid record of 12-5. So what is the fuss about? Simply this: those five losses occurred in the Charger's last five games.
With a perfect record of 12-0 and a ranking of No. 12 in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA National Top 25 Poll, the Lady Chargers were off to an amazing season—possibly too amazing.
“You definitely felt the pressure,” junior Nikki Wustman said. “People were looking at us, and a lot of us didn't expect to have that much success early on.”
The last five teams to defeat the Chargers were Michigan Tech, Ferris State, Grand Valley, Lake Superior State, and Northwood University.
Ranked No.1-5 in the GLIAC North Division, these five teams remain very competitive, with Lake Superior State ranked No. 8 in the National Poll, and three others receiving national ranking votes.
It didn't hurt that each one was set out to break the Charger's perfect record.
“Having such a good start, people are always going to be prepared to play you and bring their best to you,” sophomore Jodie Haines said. “They hear so much, and they decide they're going to be the ones to beat us.”
Five losses in a row can be mentally devastating, especially for a team who has already proven themselves capable.
The Chargers upset the national champion holders, California, Pa., early on in November, who are currently ranked No. 6 in the National Poll.
“Panic is contagious,” assistant coach Tracy Bruno said, “It was hard losing this last week, and everyone kept looking around wondering what had happened.”
With determination, the Chargers are fearless about earning their way back to the top.
As a young team with four sophomore starters, learning from this slump can only make them stronger.
“We still have a target on our backs,” sophomore Crystal Yoder said. “Twelve and five is still a good record. We have nothing to lose, and we're going to prove that we deserve to be where we are.”
The Chargers are versatile with a fast-paced offense run by junior Gretchen Rocco, strong shooting and movement on the outside in Jodie Haines and sophomore Jessie Miller, and solid post players in sophomore Crystal Yoder and Wustman, who earned GLIAC player of the week for the week of Jan. 3.
“Leadership is shared,” Bruno said. “We're talented enough that it can be anyone any given day. We're very well-rounded.”
Although dropped from their National Top 25 Poll and moved to No. 9 in the Great Lakes Regional Poll, the Chargers plan on turning the season around, starting tonight with Mercyhurst.
“It helps us to stay together through things like this. Because it is harder, we learn and put more effort in,” said Haines. “We're going to move on, forget about our losses, and focus on this upcoming game.”
The Chargers will take on Mercyhurst at home tonight at 6 p.m.