The Mavericks bullied the Lions Aug. 29.

“We were a little jittery the first half, but we really pulled through in the second half,” said Jessie Noid, senior defender.

This is Noid’s third year as captain for the team.

At the half, Mankato was up 3-0. Southern didn’t fold and really showed its colors by tying the game in the second half. Mankato came back and defeated Southern, 5-3.

The lead scorer was Tara Reisner, junior forward, who scored two of Southern’s three goals.

It is head women’s soccer coach Trevor Wachsman’s first year at Southern. He joined Southern from the University of Northern Colorado. This is also the University’s first year to have a head woman’s coach. In the past, there was one coach for both men and women.

Wachsman voiced his biggest concern for this season as the number of players.

“It’s kind of low,” he said.

Because this is Wachsman’s first year, recruiting was not done with the efficiency of past seasons.

“The low numbers have brought us closer, to work as a team, in all aspects of the game,” said Kim Boessen, senior goalie.

Boessen is excited about the new system of doing things with the team’s new coach.

“We learn something new every day,” Boessen said.

“Taking it day by day.”

“I think he’s (Wachsman) doing a wonderful job this season,” Noid said.

The women’s soccer team was ranked fifth in the pre-season coaches’ poll for conference. Being tied for fifth in conference standings is consistent with the pre-season poll.

The Lions next soccer game is at 2 p.m. Saturday against Washburn. This is Washburn’s first year for a women’s soccer program.

Wachsman thinks Saturday’s game should be a good match up.

“All the errors in the Mankato game were correctable,” Noid said.

She said “communication and other basic improvements” will come with time.

“The team chemistry is excellent this year,” Boessen said.

She said the chemistry determines the success for the rest of the season, “not to mention all the fun we have.”

“Come out and watch us play,” Boessen said.