As Howard University’s women’s soccer team prepares for conference play, the players are looking beyond the team’s overall (0-4-2) preseason record and focusing on the chemistry, resilience and consistency they have developed throughout the opening weeks of the season.
The women’s soccer team entered preseason with several freshmen and transfers while adjusting to the graduation of seniors and graduate players. Although the new roster has faced challenges on the field, team captain senior Asia Mickens-Perez said the preseason results do not fully represent the group’s development or ability as conference games approach, starting Sept. 20.
“Honestly, I think the results don’t reflect how well we’ve bonded as a team or the chemistry that we’ve had off the field,” said Mickens-Perez, a health sciences major from Prince George’s County, Maryland.
That connection has become increasingly important as Howard works through adjustments to a changing roster. The early games have given players opportunities to become more comfortable communicating, learning from one another and responding to adversity.
“Our team chemistry has grown tremendously throughout the preseason and these first few games, regardless of the results,” Mickens-Perez said.
For Howard, that growth has meant treating each result as another opportunity to identify weaknesses rather than allowing losses to define the direction of the season. With conference play approaching, the Bison have placed greater emphasis on correcting mistakes and carrying those lessons into their next match.
“We are picking ourselves up after every game. We are keeping our minds focused on the next game, getting the next result and improving every day,” Mickens-Perez said.
Junior forward Adora Nwosu also pointed to the relationships among the players as one of the team’s strengths. With many players adjusting to new teammates and roles, Nwosu said the group has still been able to create a strong connection.
“Our chemistry has just been so amazing. The girls on the team are bonding really well together, and we’re just a really good group,” said Nwosu, a political science major from Nashville, Tennessee.
Nwosu said the team collectively understands their preseason game outcomes do not determine how they will perform during conference play.
She said maintaining effort for the entirety of each match will be important, regardless of the score or outside pressure.
“You don’t stop until the clock stops,” Nwosu said. “All 90 minutes, you’re going all in, no matter what the scoreboard says and no matter what noise we’re hearing from fans, coaches or anybody.”
Graduate defender Laila Cowsette has also seen the team develop throughout the preseason. Now in her fifth year with the program, Cowsette said Howard is still working to be consistent on the field before conference competition.
“We’re trying to find our rhythm with games, and we’re approaching conference, so we’re really trying to fix things up before we start conference so we can show our best selves,” said Cowsette, a fifth-year architecture and design major from Laurel, Maryland.
While the players have built relationships away from competition, Cowsette said the next step is to see them in action.
“People enjoy each other’s company, and it translates onto the field. I feel like we have the ability to play well together, but we just have to really put all the pieces together,” Cowsette said.
The Bison have also emphasized accountability following each performance. Cowsette said the team has been able to recognize mistakes without losing sight of their progress.
“We do really well reflecting on what we can do better or what we did well, holding each other accountable, but also playing for each other,” Cowsette said.
As the women’s soccer team shifts their attention toward conference play, the players believe the challenges of the preseason have helped develop the mentality needed for more competitive games.
“During conference, every moment counts,” Cowsette said. “Those small moments and the hard battles—all of those moments really count.”
Despite their early challenges, the players remain confident.
“I really want us to win conference. That’s obviously goal number one,” Nwosu said. “I do think that we have the talent and the ability to do so. It’s just going to be about us pushing through to get to the goals that we have set for ourselves as a team.”
Copy edited by Daryl R. Thomas Jr.