On Saturday, the women’s basketball team beat Taylor for the first time since 2021, 62-60. The win was hard-fought as Goshen struggled in the first quarter, facing a 16-point deficit, but a buzzer-beater three-pointer going into halftime by Emme Boots,  a senior, brought them closer.

Zion Neat, a fifth-year, shined in the third quarter contributing 12 points on 4-6 shooting. This was followed by a key bucket in the fourth quarter that brought the Leafs into the lead.

Taylor fought hard and took back the lead by five points, but senior Ava Lickliter sprung to action with two layups, cutting the point deficit to one.

Boots had another crucial three-pointer that gave Goshen the lead, allowing Syanne Mohamed, a senior, to secure the win with a steal. The fourth quarter was game-changing and the Leafs proved what they are capable of.

The team has its eye on the Crossroads League tournament, with their conference record standing at 3-5. The motivation to make the tournament came early on when the preseason rankings were announced.

“They had the announcement of placements of the teams in our conference … we were placed last … it showed that teams don’t believe in us, and we are here to prove them wrong,” Mohamed said. As they continue to play in the conference, the next games they play are crucial and will determine the team’s standing. “Our goal is to be 4th or 5th in the Conference league.” Currently, they stand sixth in the league — the top eight teams in the conference make the tournament.”

“This is the time where teams give up … it’s the third quarter [of the season] … teams start to lock out … finishing strong and then adjusting is our focus,” said Mohamed.

Looking back at the season, there have been “highs and lows,” says Neat, but when they can reach a middle ground “it is really good.”

Despite those low moments in the season, Boots comments that the team “always keeps composure and knows where to be, where we’re going to get to and we take lessons and we learn from them.”

One of the hardest things the team has faced this season has been injuries. “Losing Kyla [Foster] was hard because we didn’t have a defined spot … so it was a weird spot to try to fill,” said Neat.

“It’s been really cool to see people like Emme and Lily [Null] step up into that. So I think that’s been a challenge, but it’s also been a highlight of the season … getting to see people who might not have had the chance otherwise step up and buy into that,” said Neat.

A key to success this season has been diving beyond physical fitness to the mental side. Boots said, “That’s been very helpful and definitely with Coach Tyra … we’re thinking mental … we got here because of that.”

With a senior-heavy roster, the team knows how much work they’ve put in to get there. Neat shared Coach Carver’s memo, “You owe it to yourselves,” as she reminded them of the work they’ve done.

As they continue their season they hope to turn heads, “like oh gosh … Goshen just beat that team … we need people to be fearful when they’re going to come play us,” said Boots. Their next game at home is on Saturday, Jan. 18 against Huntington.