With the 2009-2010 season rapidly approaching, the womenís soccer team has been going through their paces hoping to add to their already long history as a top team in North Coast Athletic Conference.
Coming off of a second-place finish in the conference tournament and a record of 14-6 last season they have set the bar high to improve this season.
Nora Simon í10, whose technical skills in the midfield and final third are a regular feature on Carl Dale Memorial Field, is one of the captains of the squad this season. ìAll the seniors need to step up,” Simon stated when questioned about how the squad would repeat their winning record in the coming season.
It could be said that this is especially true this season as there are only five seniors on a squad of 29 that is primarily composed of first-years and sophomores. Simon was undaunted by the youth of the squad. ìWe have a deep bench of solid players. We can put anyone on the field and be confident in their abilities and performance,” she said.
Mary Riney í12, who can be seen streaking up and down the wings terrorizing defenders weekly on the pitch, was equally undaunted by the youth of the squad.
When asked if she thought the younger players, herself included, could contend with potentially more experienced teams she nonchalantly stated, ìI guess weíll find out. A lot of the current sophomores got good experience last year, so I think we should be ready.”
With a starting lineup that could consist of upwards of six sophomores there is a lot of pressure on the younger players to perform.
Riney, however, seemed unfazed, ìThough there are only a few [seniors], they are strong players and good leaders,” she said.
While leadership on the field is important, it is off the field where a lot of the major decisions are made. The instruction and direction of head coach David Brown will be vital to the success of the young Fighting Scots.
Brown was optimistic about the season, saying, ìWeíve worked through preseason. We have good team speed, depth and competition.”
The Scots will need all of their attributes this season if they want to enjoy the same winning style that they did last season. Coach Brownís job could possibly be a little harder this time around with an unusually big squad for a soccer team, currently at 29 players.
When questioned if he thought this would be a factor he stated, ìItís a talented group … We are a team that through 22-24 players can compete with one another and push each other to improve … Itís exciting. Itís hard to predict, but if we can learn from last season, and keep the consistency up, then hopefully we can do just as well, or better.”
The Scots donít have long to wait before their first test, which is scheduled for Sept. 1 when they will travel to Walsh for the season opener.