While the women’s soccer team has struggled to a 1-8-1 record so far this season, its only victory coming in the 2-0 win over Colgate, the Red has shown that it is capable of beating tougher teams.

“We’ve definitely stepped up our season and our level of play from last year. There’s no doubt about that,” said sophomore goalkeeper Kelly Murphy. “The results aren’t going our way, which is a little unfortunate, but there is definitely a dramatic difference in our play. Not only all the other teams are seeing this, but we can see it within ourselves, and that’s promising.”

Led by head coach Danielle LaRoche for the third season, the team contains six experienced returning upperclassmen, including four seniors. Two juniors — Katies Hayes and Lena Russomagno — guide the Red as team captains.

After bringing in eight new players last season and 11 this year, the team is not short on new depth and skill at each position. This influx of players will continue to be an asset to Cornell.

“Since I’ve been here, I think this has been the strongest team that I’ve been a part of. The program is definitely going in a positive direction and the young girls are definitely contributing to that. I think that we have to start making our records show how good of a team we are,” said Russomagno, a midfielder.

The squad is hoping not only to continue fine-tuning each position, but also to make the positions come together to result in a more unified team. The forwards are led by returning senior Eva Dixon and strengthened by sophomores Brook Chang and Abageal Vonderweidt and senior Rebecca Flewelling. Two freshmen are new to the lineup and one of them — Maneesha Chitanvis — is already tied for leading scorer status with a pair of goals.

“We’ve changed the strategy that we’ve brought out in practice. Each game, we’ll see what our weaknesses are, and we’ve being working from position to position,” Murphy said.

The midfielders have also shown tremendous depth. Led by attack-oriented junior Russomagno, the midfielders include returners Abigail Apistolas and Kelsey MacDonald, both sophomores, as well as three freshmen. The more defensive-minded midfielders are anchored by seniors Kala Neilson and Elizabeth Scully, with the addition of two freshmen.

“We’ve been working on each aspect of our attack, from the defense through the forwards but obviously being creative, and throwing the defense off to score goals,” Russomagno said.

Sophomore Sidra Bonner is a central presence on the back line, along with junior Katie Hayes and sophomore Sam Wright. Four new freshmen add to the defensive line.

Two sophomores, Kelly Murphy and Megan Bartlett, share time in goal for the Red, with Murphy between the posts for nine of the Red’s 11 games so far. Murphy holds a .698 saves percentage and 1.49 goals against average.

“All of the upcoming games should be a challenge,” Murphy said. “As for the Ivy schools, there are tough competitors in there, so Harvard should be a good match this week, and then we’ll go from there.”