Prior to losing its first game of the season 3-0 to Class 3A Waukee Tuesday night the combined ADM/Van Meter girls soccer team had dominated on both sides of the ball. The Tigers didn’t allow a goal through the first three games of the year, outscoring opponents 19-0.

Despite Tuesday’s hiccup, ADM head coach Kelsey Dolder was complimentary of her team’s defense against the Warriors, giving credit to a talented Wakuee team. ADM’s back line, considered a potential area of concern heading into the season, has instead been a source of strength so far this year.

The Tigers returned only one starting defender from last year’s squad, Van Meter junior Carmen Angel. She has combined with senior Jenny Wicks, fellow junior Rachel Origer and freshman Carli Hansen to form a formidable defense.

Dodler and her players were confident they could put together a strong back line despite the loss of several defensive stalwarts to graduation, but even they have been pleasantly surprised with just how well and how quickly an inexperienced group of defenders have gelled.

“Yeah, I mean we haven’t worked together, we’ haven’t all played toget her as a unit, so I think that with everything we keep improving and getting better and figuring little glitches out,” Angel said. “So it’s been good – better than I thought it was going to be. I mean, we lost Morgen Abbas and Carissa Origer in the back last year so that hurt us a little bit, but I think it’ll be good.”

The 3-1 Tigers host a 10-team tournament in Adel this Friday and Saturday.