Texas Wesleyan’s women’s soccer team began the preseason ranked sixth in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

So far, the team’s season has been very up and down: After an opening win over Dallas Christian College in late August, the Lady Rams first lost four in a row and then reversed themselves, winning the next five.

“I understand why we got ranked sixth in our conference but I know we are going to do way better,” senior business management major Theresa Garsztecki said. “I’d rather be underestimated by an opponent and come in and beat them.”

Garsztecki plays one of three leading roles on the team, along with her co-captains, seniors Kaylie Hart and Nikki Lockwood.

“As a captain, with Theresa Garzstecki and Nikki Lockwood leading the team with me,” said Hart, a business major, “we have made a point this year to create a strong team chemistry off the field.”

The captains have organized many team events outside of soccer to create strong bonds that they hope will carry on in their play, Hart said.

“Our team is perfectly divided in all classes, with about four to five people in each class, freshmen through seniors,” Garsztecki said. “We play better than last year and we have a lot of dedicated people.”

The players have set their goals, and they are ready to take on the conference.

“Before preseason began, we set a goal as a team to not only go to the conference tournament, but to win it,” Hart said.

The Lady Rams play Mid-America Christian University on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Martin Field. Admission is free.