Women’s soccer is only fall sport set to resume this spring

While many fall and winter sports are returning to practice, women’s soccer has been the only program cleared to return to the field to play against opponent competition. Above, junior Jessie Roux dribbles the ball around a defender in a game from the 2019-2020 season. Photo courtesy of Roux

After seeming unfeasible for months, the possibility of Chapman spring sports being played became a reality in late March. It seemed like fall and winter sports would be left by the wayside, forced to simply wait until next year to resume competition. 

But for one fall team, the dream is alive again. 

Women’s soccer is looking at a potential two-game season against their Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) foe California Lutheran University. It’s an incredibly short season, but players like junior midfielder Jessie Roux are elated at the opportunity to compete again.

“It’s incredible seeing the girls’ faces light up when we were told we were having a game. I’ve never seen their smiles any bigger than that,” she said. “It was extremely encouraging and motivating to get down to work so that we can do well in the games that are coming up.”

But while women’s soccer will get a taste of competition, no other fall sport will get the same opportunity; most of them, high-contact sports, will be restricted to team practices. That might seem unfair. But Reed Vettel, a junior and quarterback on the football team, feels that it’s best to wait until next year. 

“Honestly, I don't know how all the rest of the players feel about this,” Vettel said. “(Having) back-to-back seasons — spring and then the fall — in the context for sports like football where injuries are really common, I don't think that would be the best idea for us. It's OK. We get more time to prepare for the season.” 

Despite being at peace with the outcome, Vettel still reflects on the loss of an entire season and what could’ve been. 

“I took it pretty tough. I was expecting (our season) to be canceled, so I wasn't too surprised when it happened,” he said. “But I had been dreading that day when they broke the news.”

Soccer, however, will have to work quickly to get in game shape. Junior goalkeeper Kelsey Bland said it has been difficult at times for herself and her teammates to stay inside while waiting for the season to start. 

“(With school online) it’s easier to put (soccer) on the backburner since it's not really live,” Bland said. “COVID-19 took that away, so I think keeping everyone motivated, keeping everyone on their toes and ready for the season when it comes was difficult (is our goal).”

Despite the mental adjustment of returning to competition, Roux sees everything coming together as the team gets closer to playing its first game. 

“I’ve seen great progress already so far in my team in just a short amount of time, so that’s been super encouraging,” Roux said. 

Yes, it’s a short season, but Roux looks forward to the little things: warming up together, team rituals, bonding with the freshmen. Even just for two games, the group will be able to experience those moments again.

“Those are little things that you sometimes forgot about when COVID hit; you really (miss them),” Roux said. “I'm excited to bring those back into play.”

The soccer team is motivated to make both games count, especially for teammates graduating this year. 

“We want to carry on our legacy at Chapman through them and just leave them on a high note,” Bland said of the team’s seniors. “We don't want COVID to affect them any more than it already has. They're super motivating and they're super driven. They're amazing and they've pushed through all of it.”