The time has arrived when the U. City girls are breaking out their shin guards, cleats, and soccer socks for the beginning of a brand new soccer season.
Because of the large turn-out at tryouts, U. City has sepearate varsity and junior varsity teams for the first time in three years.
Fielding two teams is just one of the new things the soccer girls are experiencing.
“So far the practices have been a lot more lenient than what I’m used to,” said senior Anna Carlsson. “There has also been a lot more practices to attend, including spring break and Saturday mornings.”
A new practice schedule and more are the result of an all-new coaching staff. Coach Virginia McKenna leads the JV team and Coach Michael Daly assists Coach Matt Brooks, who is the varsity coach. Far from inexperienced, the new coaches have been excited to get out onto the field to help the girls to the best of their ability.
“This will be my fifth year of coaching, however, the first year with U. City,” said Coach Daly. “My first goal was to make sure we created two teams so that when the varsity girls have to leave, there will be girls under them to be able to carry on in the sport.”
The varsity squad has 16 girls with four newcomers, including two freshmen and two sophomores, while the JV team carries 18 girls.
The teams faced their first opponent March 29 against Hazelwood East.
“I have a lot of confidence in my team,” said sophomore Merinda Morley before the varsity game. “I really think that we can beat East along with a lot of other teams, but only time will tell.”
At the beginning of the game, the girls came out playing strong, taking a lot of shots and strategically making good passes. The girls constantly kept their heads up, seeing the open player and taking the best shots.
Only five minutes into the game, sophomore Ursula Monaghan scored the first goal.
Shortly after the first goal, sophomore Sammiyah Clay began to work hard to add more points to the scoreboard. Only three minutes later, Clay netted the ball, taking a 2-0 advantage over the Lady Spartans.
The girls continued to work hard all the way up to the half, making sure the Lady Spartans didn’t get a chance to score.
At the start of the second half, the girls came back onto the field determined to maintain their lead. They scored again after barely eight minutes of the second half., a goal by junior Merinda Morley from 40 yards out from the goal. However, the game still wasn’t over.
The Lady Lions continued to keep the ball away from the Spartans and ultimately finished with a 3-0 shut-out for their first win of the season.
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