Laying the Groundwork

Last soccer season began with four tough losses for the Lady Jags varsity soccer team.  A few weeks later the GHSA officially cancelled the rest of their season along with all other spring sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The girls soccer program has always found it harder to make their mark on the field, finding themselves on a continuous losing streak. Third year girls coach Joshua West blames this pattern partly on their lack of soccer IQ and technical skills. 

“It’s no secret that the girls program hasn’t had many people that play travel soccer compared to other teams. Other teams have 10 years of work, whereas we have one or two,” West said. 

A lack of participants is also a problem. 

“The toughest part without a doubt is getting people to come to the school to do the conditioning. There are 400 new freshmen who might not even know conditioning is going on,” West said.

10 girls have been regularly attending the team’s conditioning which takes place on afternoons twice a week. Because of the low attendance Coach West is not sure a JV team will be incorporated in the girls soccer program this season.

 “It would be best for more girls to come out so that we can all build as a team and improve our communication on the field,” varsity defender Genesis Moreno said. 

Even with their low turnout and losses in recent seasons, the girls who do  attend remain dedicated and are hopeful for better outcomes in the new season. At conditioning the girls participate in cardio and weightlifting drills as well as strength and toning exercises. 

“We are working hard and are definitely improving a lot,” Moreno said.

The first official game of the girls soccer season is scheduled for Jan. 29 against Social Circle.