Balmer, Crusaders face Central Connecticut and Siena for week three of play

Over the last three seasons, Cerys Balmer has been leading force for the Holy Cross women’s soccer team. Balmer made a big impression in her sophomore season, getting more opportunities to start in the midfield and solidifying her spot as a starter. As a junior she shifted to center back and adjusted smoothly into her new role. She started 16 of the 17 games season last year while racking up a total of 1,413 minutes.

This year, she has been selected to serve as one of the Crusaders’ team captains along with fellow seniors Francesca Ciatto, Sydney Baldwin and Allie Raynor. Balmer and the other captains have been working on developing their own unique leadership style.

"Coach Graham is very passionate about different leadership styles and knowing that everyone has a different authentic take on their own leadership style. The first conversation that I had with him, he told me, when you're leading people, it's very easy to tell who is faking their leadership style and who is being authentic," said Balmer. “Over the summer it was challenging to find my own leadership style. For me I know I don't always have to be the loudest person in the room, but it's leading by example and being approachable. A lot of my teammates feel they can come up to me and discuss things off the field that happen to make them perform better on the field.”

Team culture has been something that has changed throughout the captains’ four years and has shifted for the better. Leading up to this season the team worked on being more soccer oriented in their mindset and taking every opportunity to learn more about the game to better their soccer IQs.

“We all are watching more soccer from the Premier League and it makes us want to play more soccer. The talk on the field has shifted to more soccer related and has carried off the field. Now that we're having more conversations about soccer, we have begun to translates those strategies to games," Balmer said. "Coach has helped to grow our passion for the game and encourage a strong soccer mindset that can pair with an already athletic and fit team. We are seeing better results now that we are able keep possession, have strong defense and move up the field."

Holy Cross is coming off a strong week where it earned its first win of the season over Bryant in comeback style on Aug. 27. The Crusaders also picked up a 1-1 tie at Maine on Aug. 24. Balmer made some major contributions to last week's success, scoring early at Maine for a 1-0 lead and starting the Crusaders comeback rally versus Bryant with a goal off a corner.

“At Maine I think we did a really good job in terms of defending and an overall good job just competing. The center mids were winning every single challenge in the air and throwing their bodies on the line. It was a very gritty game,” said Balmer. “Against Bryant we came out a little bit slow, but the way that we were able to react and score two goals in the last 10 minutes showed our passion, grittiness and willingness to work hard and sacrifice for the team.”

Balmer is currently the Crusaders’ leading scorer this season and credits the team’s ability to be versatile in different positions and trust one another when shifts happen. Coach Graham has a deep bench this year with many players capable of mixing up the formation and lineup on the field. 

“Coach Graham has moved me up top to try and mix things up and see what happens when I go up there. In the past we struggled when the formation changed, which sometimes led to a deficit in the back line where we get scored on. This year, the 11 on the field can be moved around and hold up with changes,” said Balmer. “We have been able to score these goals and keep clean sheets because we have multiple people who can play multiple positions, who can also keep a clean sheet or can who can also score goals. I think that everyone's stepping up in their own way and everyone has a lot more trust in the team, which is creating an environment where people feel that they can take a risk.”

Due to her efforts against Bryant and Maine, Balmer was recognized as the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week.

“This award means a lot to me. I was super excited and happy when I heard the news,” Balmer said. “As much as I appreciate getting the award, I think the whole defensive line earned it. They've all done such a great job this week and I take it as it was not just me, it was all of our efforts.”

The Crusaders head to New Britain, Conn. this Thursday to take on Central Connecticut (6 p.m.), followed by a home battle with Siena on Sunday (1 p.m.). Balmer and the team have been making adjustments in practice to prepare themselves for the matches ahead.

“If we come out with passion and work hard against Central Connecticut and Siena, we can compete," Balmer said. "Now is the time, not to just play with brute force, but to be composed on the ball and move it around because we have the skills to do that. As we showed in the last 20 minutes against Bryant, we should just come out as a level-headed unit with strength and aggression while also being able to have a cool head and be composed on the ball.”

The Crusaders had many opportunities to score versus Bryant but only made it on the score board in the last 10 minutes of play. Balmer and the team look forward to finishing on chances to get more goals on the board.

“When we play Siena and Central Connecticut we need to finish our chances," said Balmer. "Each game we've gotten better and better, so hopefully more success will come against Central Connecticut and Siena.”

A psychology major, Balmer plans to either pursue a master's degree in psychology or social work. If she foregoes that route she is looking to start a career in human resources.

'SADER SHORTS

• The Crusaders stand 4-3-1 against Central Connecticut all-time.
• Holy Cross leads 11-9-3 all-time against Siena.

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