By Paityn Tabor ’23
Managing Editor and Sports Editor
Editor’s note: Paityn Tabor is a member of the women’s soccer team.
As winter sports teams here at the College dive headfirst into the full swing of their seasons, fall sports are beginning to reach the tail end of theirs.
The football team, with their win against Monmouth on October 30, put them in a favorable position to potentially win the Midwest Conference and advance into the NCAA playoffs. The Forester football team is not thinking weeks ahead, rather the team is focused on simply getting the job done one week at a time.
Additionally, the women’s soccer team advanced into the Midwest Conference Tournament, where they competed in the semi-final game against Beloit College on November 5. Only four teams had the opportunity to compete in the tournament, so the excitement and adrenaline was high as the team travelled to Knox College who hosted the tournament.
“Playing in the conference tournament is a goal we set for ourselves at the beginning of each season so it’s always special to accomplish that,” explained head women’s soccer coach T.R. Bell ’96. “We are one of only four teams in our league that get to continue to play soccer so when you think about that it’s an honor and I’m proud of our team.”
While the Foresters lost 1-0 against Beloit in the semi-final game, the chance to compete for the conference title remains a tremendous accomplishment. Moreover, the team was able to cultivate memories that will last a lifetime.
Cross country runner Madeline Morland ’23 will have the opportunity to compete at the Midwest Conference Regional Meet on November 13. She has had a remarkable season, earning Forester Athlete of the Week three times this season and finished second in the Midwest Conference Cross Country Championships on October 30, putting her in a great position heading into the regional meet.
“It means a lot to me to finally make it to regionals,” said Moreland. “We’ve been training since before school started in August, and it’s all really been for this meet. I’m looking forward to competing and watching my teammates compete. It’s a great opportunity to race against some good competition and really put the training we’ve been doing all season to the test. I definitely think a lot of people are poised to run personal best times, which is amazing.”
It has certainly been an exciting past couple of months of athletic action here in the Forest, with the pinnacle of these seasons happening throughout the next couple of weeks. Athletic teams here at the College have responded to finally being back in a full-length season in truly remarkable fashion and have made this fall one to be proud of.
