There’s something different about the Austin girls soccer team this year.

It started over the summer when captain’s practices were drawing big numbers and the team was working hard. It’s now carried over to the regular season as the Packers have now won three of their last four games.

Austin (4-6 overall) also won its first Big Nine contest in at least two years and that’s all fine and good, but the real progress this team has made doesn’t necessarily show up on how many games they’ve won, it’s how they’ve played.

While it was once a common occurrence for the team to lose games by six or more goals, Austin has yet to allow more than five goals in a contest this season. The team has also been within two goals in three of its six losses.

While much credit goes to senior keeper Abby Gallaher, the Austin team has come with a strong work ethic this fall. The defenders have improved with every match and the offense, which is led by speedy sophomore forward Hannah Voogd, is coming along as well.

First year head coach Enrique Camarena-Corzo has done a great job instilling the value of hard work with this bunch and with a varsity roster which includes nine players that are sophomores or younger, the program looks to be on the rise.

Sometimes change can be a good thing.