Soccer Spartans look to experienced young core

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The key to success for the Strathmore Spartans high school girls soccer team will be relying on the youthful Grade 10 group because of graduating players and some injuries early on in camp.
“Unfortunately this year we didn’t have a lot of returning players,” said head coach Kaitrin McDonnell. “A couple due to injuries and just other commitments, jobs, getting on with their Grade 12 year and very few of them are focusing on academics. I have a huge chunk of Grade 10s … and it’s the natural progression of ‘ok here’s our new squad.'”
According to McDonnell, it has been a ‘night and day’ difference with the player’s experience of the game compared to a couple of years ago, and she hopes it will lessen the basic training that needs to be done.
“A lot of girls this year know how to play soccer,” she said. “I am hoping so (the game knowledge) because I have less to do in terms of basic training. It focuses on conditioning, building as a team and now I can go into all the specifics like actually running drills and using what they know already to my full advantage as a coach.”
McDonnell has only seen the girls four times before their exhibition matches in Drumheller, which was held earlier this week, and said there are no set positions until after that game.
Defensive member and sweeper Jill Warrack has played soccer for a few years and is looking forward to making new friendships on the team and win some games.
“I’m looking forward to playing the game and hopefully winning,” she said.
With her experience in the game, Warrack thinks the high school level will be more competitive.
“I find it’s more competitive because it’s for a shorter time,” said Warrack. “We already get pushed harder than we do at rec soccer.”