One of the main goals for the Chattanooga Football Club women this year was to improve on a one-win 2017 season.
That objective has been more than accomplished, but by no means was that their only goal.
CFC (5-0) will try to cross off another one this evening, when it visits the Memphis Lobos at 5 EDT at Houston Middle School. A win would clinch the regular-season championship for the team in its fifth season, one in which it has already matched the program's best for number of wins in a season - with potentially a ways to go.
"That's been hard to wrap my mind around," third-year forward Carlie Banks, the team leader with four goals, said Saturday. "It's exciting that it's within our grasp, that we could be conference champions by winning tomorrow. We're just handling things one game at a time; now it's for something bigger than us."
Coach Erin Ridley took advantage of a full offseason to put a team together, with a solid group culture resulting.
"We've created a team book," Ridley said. "In that book is information about the team, the principles of play, a chapter on accountability, confidence and extreme ownership. Some teams just go out and play, but if you take the time, invest in something bigger than self, there's a whole 'nother level that can be taken to. You can see the excitement, the authenticity of the relationships on the team coming together.
"We know the goals; we have a clear sense of identity, and that's where the buzz, the excitement comes from. This can be special; people are open to that, and it's awesome and fun to be around."
It's been fun for the players, especially those who endured last season as well as a three-win 2016 campaign.
"It's been amazing," Banks said. "It's rewarding to actually have a team that we're all on the same page. We have more that are in it for the right reasons. I feel like we've all set goals. We hold each other accountable; we've all been all in, and we all have a similar idea on what we want to accomplish."
The club has been buoyed by the collective ability to possess the ball and the forwards' and midfielders' ability to defend large portions of the field, making the job easier on the defenders and goalkeeper Cosette' Morche. The team has outscored opponents 9-1 this season, with the Nashville Rhythm scoring on June 3.
But CFC's prime objective this season wasn't being undefeated on June 24. It's potentially making a run in the playoffs, an opportunity it will have with a win today.
"We want to do something special," Ridley said. "You can't control the results, but at the beginning of the season we did see a team that could win the conference. We have quite a few wins and that's great news, but 5-0 isn't the goal. We want to do something on a national stage.
"I'm pleased, but we're not there yet. But this season has been a good snapshot of the changes made."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.