Forsyth scores as a leader for women's soccer

Elizabeth Pacheco Sports Editor

For Vassar women’s soccer player and co-captain Caitlin Forsyth ’08, the fall season didn’t begin in August; it started last spring during the team’s off-season. Although there were no official competitions scheduled, Forsyth was already motivating her teammates for challenges ahead.

“[Forsyth had the] ability to keep everyone focused, explaining to everyone that there is a means to an end,” said women’s soccer Head Coach Richard Moller. “[She was] guiding them on and off the field, verbally encouraging and motivating them to start working toward a successful season starting now.”

Forsyth’s early dedication has not wavered. From her central defensive position, she has been a critical leader on the field as well as a source of constant guidance and support for all of her teammates. “Vocally, athletically and tactically, [Forsyth’s] work ethic has been terrific,” said Moller.

Like many soccer players, Forsyth began playing the sport at a young age, hitting the field when she was five or six. She continued with soccer through middle school and high school, joining the Western New York Club Team and an Olympic development team, where Vassar recruiters first noticed her. Although Forsyth began pre-season as a midfielder her freshman year, she soon moved to the defensive line after then-sophomore Ali Fantl ’07 broke her foot. “The coach brought me in and told me that he’d put me back there and see how it goes,” said Forsyth. With Fantl unable to return that season, Forsyth kept the position, continuing to play on the defensive line for the rest of her college career.

This season, “[Forsyth] has certainly been the unsung hero,” said Moller. “She keeps the defense tight, has the ability to win 50-50 balls, supports through-balls and is athletically and tactically able to make sure other teams don’t get in front of our goal.”

While Forsyth doesn’t have a slew of goals or assists listed in the team’s individual statistics, she has still been key in leading the team to finish the season with a winning record. Last season the team ended with a 7-8-1 overall record. However, this season, with only one game left to play, the team has a 9-6-1 record. Despite two tough losses to Union College and Skidmore College this weekend that put the team out of Liberty League playoffs, the Brewers had big wins over Stevens Institute of Technology 3-0, which was nationally ranked at the time, as well as league opponent St. Lawrence University 1-0.

Besides her team goal of ending with a winning record, Forsyth has set a personal goal of “going out and giving it [her] all and being able to play in every game.” She has certainly succeeded, as she has started and played 15 of the team’s 16 games, and “has been first in all the fitness tests, never doubting the team or herself,” according to Moller.

For women’s soccer, Moller is the first returning coach in four years, which creates a consistency that Forsyth feels has helped her, as captain, to create better team cohesion. “Everyone is playing as a unit, playing with and for each other,” she said. “This really shows, because we’re winning and motivating each other and no one is down or negative. In the past, people have let down halfway through the season, and I haven’t noticed this yet.”

Forsyth’s leadership and motivation, combined with Moller’s efforts and players’ dedication, will certainly continue to the season’s end as they look to record a last win on Saturday, Oct. 27 at Bryn Mawr College.