Remember last year’s women’s soccer team? The pack finished in the dredges of the ACC standings going 0-9-1 (6-10-3 overall). I was definitely among the critics of Coach Laura Kerrigan, who had not seen success in the last several years.

But so far this season, the team has been very impressive. Over the weekend, State pushed its record to 5-0, which is something they haven’t done since 1991.

One look at the statistics shows phenomenal improvement from last year. As of now, State’s top three scorers are the same three as last season; Lindsay Vera, Kara Baldy and Nadia Aboulhosn. Last year these players posted 19, nine and seven points respectively in 19 games.

In the first five games of this season, Baldy and Aboulhosn have already tied their point totals from last year. That means the players are on track to almost quadruple their point total from 2007.

Vera has already recorded a hat trick and has 12 points to her credit. She is also on pace to smash her total for last season.

As a team, the Pack already has racked up half of its goal total from last season and is one win away from matching its win total from last year.

Maybe these statistics are a result of weak competition, but last year’s team faced a similar non-conference schedule and still went just 2-1-2 against opponents they should have beaten.

Obviously, some drastic improvements have been made. But what exactly was the problem before, and how has the team improved?

I think the problems before had to do with chemistry. Over the past few years, several players have quit or transferred from State, including seven after just last season alone. Some were dissatisfied with the program, and others were freshman who found the student-athlete experience was not what they were expecting.

You can imagine it would have been tough for Kerrigan to build any sense of chemistry among her players in the past.

This year though, everything seems to have finally clicked. The Pack is working together in games and in practice. Last year, the team had 20 assists for the whole season. In five games this year they have 18.

The performances coupled with the new stadium have also propelled the attendance. The Pack is averaging 498 people at games compared to only 292 last season.

It will be a huge test to see how State can carry this momentum into ACC play. But as it looks now, I think a much better season is in store.