Sports
Sports Preview: Lakeville South Girl’s Soccer Will Rely on Team Chemistry in 2011
The Cougar girls hope to get into a rhythm on the soccer field to make another run at a state championship.
Last year, the Cougar girl’s soccer team’s biggest disappointment ended up being their biggest blessing. Brianna Stelzer, who had carried the team throughout the 2010 season, was injured, and the squad had to find a way to win without her. It took a while, but after losing five straight games going into the section playoffs, the team found a way to win without Stelzer.
The team then sliced through section 1AA to make their way to the state tournament, but fell in the first round to Eden Prairie. This year, with most of the squad’s starters returning, the team hopes to find the same rhythm that propelled them through sections a year ago.
They will rely on a strong defense and midfield lineup to control games this season. According to Head Coach Dan Flood, there’s also a lot of potential at the forward position, but there are question marks as to whether a player will step up and become the team’s consistent scoring threat.
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But when competing in the South Suburban Conference, the team will need more than some talent to be successful. They will also need to stay healthy and make smart decisions on and off the field.
“They need to make sure not to do any stupid things that may come with being in high school,” Flood said. “We have a chance at being a very good team, and that sort of thing will bring you down.”
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So far, the team has shown nothing less than willing to compete at their highest level. During the offseason, the girl’s got together three times a week to work out and polish their soccer skills. Some of the players also met regularly with a trainer to get in the best possible shape before the season began, according to Flood.
And the fitness level will only increase throughout the first week of practices. The first couple days contained four-hour tryout sessions that tested the girl’s endurance. To be considered for the varsity squad the girl’s also need to be able to run two miles in under 15 minutes.
After Wednesday the teams will be decided, and they will be preparing for their first game, which is on Thursday, August 25 at home against Rochester John Marshall. The game starts at 5 p.m.
