Kankakee Times

The Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) women’s soccer team lost its last game a year ago by one goal, 1-0, against Robert Morris University-Illinois in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament. 

Its two previous games also ended in the same score, so the Tigers saw it as symbolic.

“Our theme for the year is 'one goal,'” coach Bill Bahr told the Kankakee Times. “It kind of sounds funny, but many of our games are determined by one goal. Figuratively speaking, our one goal is to excel at all we do and be No. 1 in the conference. In a literal sense, a lot of times a win can come from scoring one goal and then defending well.”

The Tigers will have a new look when they take the field this season when it adopts a new style that Bahr said should help boost a strong defense while pushing forward and attacking on offense. 

The Tigers have traditionally used a 4-4-2 formation, which is more of a traditional lineup, but this year ONU will be taking the field in a 3-5-2 formation, which will allow it to stretch opposing defenses with five players in the midfield. 

Bahr said the team has responded well to the new system, and he is excited by what he has seen during the preseason.

“The team came into preseason well-prepared, which always is a great way to start out,” he said. “The speed of things goes much faster when they come in ready. We have a really fast and fit group of young ladies, which is really great.”

The Tigers have a strong core of players returning, including Sarah Buffum, last season's leading scorer. Buffum racked up 12 goals and five assists in 17 games for ONU. Bahr said he is excited by the work that Buffum has put in during the offseason.

“She came into camp well-prepared mentally and isn’t just resting on her successes from last year,” he said.

ONU’s season will get underway on Friday against Columbia College. The team’s first home game is Sept. 1 against Lindsey Wilson College. The Tigers will face a tough schedule against a number of teams ranked in the top 25 preseason poll, including the top-seeded University of Northwestern Ohio. 

“Our schedule is going to be pretty demanding and grueling but exciting at the same time," Bahr said. "We have several games against teams that will give us a good test.”

The final game of the regular season will come on Oct. 28 when the Tigers travel to Deerfield to take on Trinity International University. Conference playoffs get underway on Nov. 3.

For more information about the Tigers upcoming season or to purchase tickets, visit www.onutigers.com.