Lady Pioneers Prep for Tough Regional

University Center, MI - When the Delta women's soccer program took the field for the first time in school history in 2011, the Lady Pioneers made believers of everyone that they were something special.  That season saw Delta knock off perennial soccer power Schoolcraft Community College en-route to winning the regional championship.

This season, Delta's first as an NJCAA Division III program, Delta hopes to make the same splash.  After spending the first five seasons as an NJCAA Division I program, the Pioneers dropped down to Division III, foregoing scholarship dollars while continuing to compete against in the regular season against other Division I programs.  Thus far, nothing has changed as Delta continues to grind out winning season after winning season, regardless of division. 

The Pioneers are currently ranked #9 in Division III and finished the regular season with a 10-3-0 record, having suffered two of their three losses to Schoolcraft.  Playing one of the toughest schedules in all of the country has given head coach Paul Stenglein a heightened sense of hope heading in to the post-season sub-regional game next Tuesday at Erie Community College in upstate New York.  

"We believe that this has been a great schedule in preparation for a challenging Region III Tournament next week," said Stenglein.  "Erie is ranked #4 nationally and are a very good team that will pose a significant challenge for us."

"But we're pretty good, too.  And, we believe our tough schedule this year is great preparation for a game as big as this one."

Erie is currently 13-2-0 on the season with both of their losses coming against ranked opponents. They have allowed just 11 goals on the season while their defense has seven shutouts to it's credit.  Delta's defense has been just as tough, allowing a mere 13 goals while shutting out it's opponents seven times as well.  On offense, the Kats average 5.73 goals per game while the Pioneers average 3.46.  From a scheduling perspective, however, Delta has played 10 Division I teams while Erie has played zero. 

Should the Pioneers knock off Erie, they will advance to the regional tournament on Saturday, October 29th where their task will not get easier as they will most likely face #2 ranked Finger Lakes Community College.   Finger Lakes, sporting a record of 15-2, finished second in the regional standings behind the #1 team in the country, SUNY Broome Community College.

"It will take everyone's best game to run the gauntlet and come out champions," said Stenglein. "We want to continue to grow as a team and be a tough and unpredictable challenge for these top ranked teams."

Delta will play it's first game at Erie Community College next Tuesday afternoon.  The Regional Final will be held at Tompkins Cortland Community College on Saturday October 29th.  The NJCAA Division III National Championships will be hosted by Ocean County College in New Jersey November 10th through the 13th.