Christian Hirschboeck ’25
Staff Writer
Editor’s Note: Christian Hirschboeck is a member of the College’s men’s soccer team
Over the Thanksgiving break I had the opportunity to ask Lake Forest College women’s soccer head coach T.R. Bell some questions about what the women’s and men’s teams achieved during their seasons this fall. Here is what he had to say:
Hirschboeck: With the women’s program finishing within the top four in the MWC every season since 2018, and back-to-back second place finishes the past two seasons, what do you think the primary reason is for the team’s new standard of high performances?
T.R.: I wouldn’t necessarily say new standard, as our program has been quite successful since its inception, but I believe all credit goes to the players. We have a strong group of young women who excel both on and off the field.
Hirschboeck: With yourself being an alumnus of the College from a very successful part of the men’s program’s history, what was it like to see the team now do the double (win both the MWC and the MWC Tournament) for the first time since 2013?
T.R.: It was great to see the success of the men’s program this year. In many ways, I have always looked at our teams as being part of one program so we certainly celebrate with the men and their great year.
Hirschboeck: With the women’s MWC regular season title coming all the way down to the very last game, and ultimately a defeat for the Foresters, how do you think the team can use this experience for next season?
T.R.: I do not really believe much in one year’s loss leading to something the following year. Next season we will be a different team and so will the other teams in the MWC. Some people might think it drives people in the off season to work harder, but I truly believe you need that inner drive to be great and not rely on outside influences.
Hirschboeck: With players like Paityn Tabor ’23, Elliot Hull ’23, and several others racking up individual awards like it’s a charity, what do you think that says about the standards of both teams?
T.R.: I can’t speak much to Elliot, although I have a lot of respect for what he has done to win the award. In Paityn’s case, it’s all about her and her commitment to be the best. Certainly, we talk about academics and want to be great in the classroom but there is nothing that I, nor our program, did to set her up for this. She is an incredibly driven young woman who works extremely hard to achieve goals that she sets for herself.
Hirschboeck: Looking at the fall of 2023, do you think it’s possible next season to see both of these teams win conference championships at the same time?
T.R.: Winning Championships is hard but it’s certainly possible. We have done it before where both programs have won the Conference and hosted the MWC Tournament and it’s always a fun and exciting time.
That concludes my interview with Coach T.R. Bell. Thank you for your time and again, congratulations to all members of the Lake Forest Soccer Program as a whole for everything they achieved this year. Go Foresters!
