By Foster Nicholas | Sports Writer
After an improved start to the season compared to 2022, Baylor soccer looks to elevate its play to the next level through consistency.
One dependable piece for the Bears (4-2-1), according to head coach Michelle Lenard, has come with freshman defender Natalie Vatter. Although Vatter is new to Baylor, her play has impressed Lenard and could be a factor in the overall development of the team as the season moves along.
“Nat is just a super consistent player who makes really smart decisions [and] doesn’t try to play anything outside of her skill set,” Lenard said. “She keeps it simple. She’s really, really reliable [and is] an incredibly hard worker. And you can just count on her. She’s a good one-on-one defender who understands how to keep the player in front of her, [and she] doesn’t get exposed in behind, but [she] also can build out of the back.”
Vatter transferred to Baylor in the spring after redshirting the fall of 2022 at Ole Miss. While Vatter looked on, she said she readied for her moment. Now, she has started every game for the Bears.
“Obviously, redshirting was really hard, but it made me even more excited to play in games now,” Vatter said. “I just get more excited to play since I missed out on that last season. It definitely was hard, but it has good parts that come out of it.”
With Big 12 play on the horizon, Lenard said Vatter’s infectious work ethic and energy on the field is exactly what her group needs.
“I keep using that word ‘reliable’ [to describe her] because that’s one of the characteristics I value the most in a player,” Vatter said. “We know what we’re going to get from Nat every time she steps on the field. She’s been consistent since the day she got here. So, [she was] a great addition to our team. We’re really happy she’s here.”
Baylor entered 2023 with 14 newcomers and questions surrounding how the squad would perform throughout Lenard’s second year in Waco. So far, six different players have scored goals, and nine have tallied at least one point. With the team executing the game plan, Lenard looks for the next step.
“I think we’ve had positive results,” Lenard said. “We’re happy about that. We’ve had good moments in every game that we’ve played, which is important. But we want to continue to build consistency, and that’s no easy task. We’re back at home now. I really expect that our consistency should settle in. I’m happy with the results for sure. But what I’m really trying to say is that we’re capable of more, and we hope to see that over the next few weeks.”
Sophomore midfielder Skye Leach said she’s seen strides from Lenard’s first year as Baylor’s head coach to now.
“I keep saying chemistry, but honestly I think that’s just a big part of it — not only our connection with each other but with our coaches,” Leach said. “I think we’re all playing for each other. We all work for each other, and we have the same goal. When we have the same goal, we can work together and just push each other harder. It’s easier and smoother to get that.”
The addition of Vatter and 13 other women hasn’t stopped the team from meshing. It has only built up a strong core, according to Lenard. While Vatter helps holds down the back line of the defense and Leach cycles through the midfield, the Bears are striving for success with consistency.
“I think Natalie’s done a great job; she fits in really well,” Leach said. “I think our whole back line and team chemistry is really good. I think [she’s a] perfect fit, [and] you can see it when we play on the field.”