Bailey Schafbuch | Sports Co-Editor
Kylie Swanson | Sports Co-Editor

As Buena Vista University’s (BVU) women’s soccer team has started out the season with a bang, they are led by senior Kellyn Arnold and junior Shelby Ripperger. Arnold is the school’s all-time leader in goals scored. She is tied with two others for the national lead in goals scored this season at 16 and tied with one other in total points (28). She is also tied for eighth in goals per game at 1.625 and ninth in points per game (3.50).

“It is a crazy feeling to be ranked nationally. I think that a lot of my success so far this season can be directly attributed to the success of our team as a whole. I have some great teammates that I play with and a coach that believes in me. It feels good to be recognized for my successes on the field, but I wouldn’t say that these rankings provide any additional motivation for me. I am a competitive person. I want to win and be successful as a team, and that is my primary motivation. Team success is so much bigger than individual success for me, but it does feel good to be recognized for personal achievements as well,” Arnold said.

Ripperger is third in assists with eight as two are tied above her with nine. She is also tied for seventh in assists per game at 1.00 and fourteenth in total points with 18.

“It is really exciting to be ranked nationally. Our team has worked really hard to improve this year, and I am proud of everyone. We are all really motivated to keep working hard and be successful throughout the rest of the season,” Ripperger said.

As a team, the Beavers (8-1-1) have set the school record for the longest unbeaten streak as they went nine straight matches without losing and have also matched the school record for wins in a year. Their success has allowed them to be ranked second nationally in goals scored and also tenth nationally in goals per game (4.50).

Photos courtesy of PEC Sports and David Ekstrom