Women’s soccer builds around core player group

Dorothy Irwin
March 30, 2009
Filed under Uncategorized

     The women’s soccer team has just kicked off what is expected to be a strong season this spring.

Before the season began, the team had a pre-season camp with trainer Jeremy Boone, who works with the Panthers and other teams in the area. 

     “I think that helped the new players grasp some of the basic concepts they needed to feel more comfortable at practice,” says senior captain Emily Otey. “It also taught everyone how to play more safely and prevent injuries, which have been problematic for our team in the past.”

     The ladies opened the season with three games the Mallard Creek Jamboree, of which they tied two and won one. Their first regular season match-ups against Harding and Porter Ridge resulted in a 6-0 win and a 4-0 loss respectively. 

This year’s team is led by Coach Larry Bosc and senior captains Otey, Kristen Doolittle, and Sarah Smith.  Though the team may be small this season, the ladies don’t plan on letting their size stop them.  They hope that the high number of returning players from last year will result in a fun and successful season.

     “We are really working on winning more games than last year, even though we have less players,” says senior Amanda Parker.

     The team has many other goals that it hopes to achieve this season. 

“As a team, I think that our main goal is to be able to compete with every team we play,” says sophomore Payten Walters.

     “I am excited most about working hard and hopefully being able to put everything together against really good teams so we give them at least a close match.  I think we have more potential to make things happen this year,” adds Otey.

     Despite its lack of players, the team has positive expectations for the upcoming season. The women say that they know they will never have an easy win, but that they want to be able to fight and compete regardless of the circumstances.

     Most importantly, the players are looking forward to playing their best and enjoying their time together as a team this spring.

     “One thing I know I look forward to is the bonding between our team this year,” says Parker.

     Junior Carson Trobich sums it up when she states, “We all love the team.”