Soccer Preseason In Full Swing
Did you ever wonder what it would be like to go through the rigors of preseason soccer camp at Northeastern State University.
From one of the student-athletes' perspective, you might get a fairly good representation of what they endure during the first week of fall camp.
Read on ...
Day 1: Preseason, a tradition practiced across many a sport, begins for the NSU Women's soccer team. With the obligatory paperwork and physicals out of the way, the Riverhawks step on the field spirits high and legs fresh. Most of the faces in the huddle are familiar, consisting of some 21 returners. But there are some new faces on the horizon, among them are freshman Morgan Hoerth, Sydney Villareal, Jojo Thompson, Paige McRorey, and Ashlee LeRoy. In addition to the latter group the Riverhawks gained the expertise of three transfer student-athletes, keeper Megan Bloom, and midfielders Kelsey Sheldon and Sadie Hull. The mixture of old and new begins their day with a fitness test. After a half hour of near continuous sprints, the ladies touch a ball for the first time as a group. Though it is only the first day, there is talk around the water cooler that this season, with this group of girls, could indeed be quite special. The first practice of the day comes to a close and the girls take a much-needed shower before heading over to Leoser to help incoming students move in. Practice two takes place in the early evening on the football field's turf, a surface that radiates heat at an amazing rate. The second practice only serves to encourage more discussion in favor of a successful season this year.
Day 2: At 10:00 A.M. on the second day of a grueling preseason schedule, the ladies once again prepare to participate in another fitness test. The ManU test consists of a series of 100 yard sprints and subsequent recovery runs. Making the required time becomes increasingly difficult as fatigue sets in, to pass players have to make 20 successful sprint times. The ManU test is not for the faint of heart and four student-athletes in particular stood out in their performance; sophomore Jen Clark, Junior Hissa Turner, and seniors Celeste St. Gemme and Ashley Dolezel delivered an inspiring effort.
After a few meetings and meals, the ladies reunite that evening for another practice. Though the daily fitness test is out of the way, the work is far from done. Defense is the theme of the day and coaches Chase Wooten and Lauren Stanley extend no mercy in their demands of excellence. Both accomplished players in their own right, coaches Wooten and Stanley guide the Riverhawks through a series of small-sided defensive activities, followed by a full-field scrimmage.
Day 3: The ladies meet at the track to knock out their third fitness test, the Gauntlet. After an hour of long distance running, the ladies close out the morning session glad to be officially half-way through preseason. The upperclassmen get an extended break before continuing again that night at 6 p.m., the freshman may have been spotted around campus as the participated in freshman orientation during their time off.
The evening session proved to be a spectator's treat as the ladies began clicking on all cylinders. The Riverhawks have already pulled off an amazing feat by having every single member of last year's core line up return for this season. The chemistry within the experienced group is undeniable. Even the most novice soccer fans will find the combination play between midfielders Renee Valcarcel, Brianna Shamblin. and Carina "Marta" Martinez nothing short of entertaining.
Day 4: The ladies get a reprieve from fitness tests for the day as they partake upon two highly technical sessions. The technical ability of a few Riverhawks are going to prove to be back breaking for future opponents. Sophomores Emily Voges and Kendyle Millar and Juniors Ashley De La Rosa and Amanda Sircy provide a much needed technical ability to control the ball and complete quality passes out. Offensively, forwards Katie Valdez and Rachel Sordhal show no mercy to defenses and keepers alike. Both offensive weapons have the ability to take players on one vs one, turn with back to goal, and shoot (and usually score) from nearly anywhere on the field.
The violent nature of the sport and the grueling schedule of events begins to take a toll on the bodies of the Riverhawks. Luckily, the services of NSU's athletic training staff come to the rescue as they patch up a battered flock. As the day closes, there is one day left, the light is at the end of the tunnel for this inspiring group of student-athletes.
Day 5: 9:30 A.M., the ladies warm up and prepare to complete the SEBCO test, a hybrid fitness and skills test. The longest test of the week proves to challenge the ladies squad beyond what they thought conceivable. Great efforts from outside mids Sibonet Quinones and Kaili Endres and defender Krista Dyess carried the physically battered group through the finish line.
The final session of the traditional five-day preseason consisted of a progression from technical skill work, to small-sided activities, to a full-field scrimmage. Defensive work from Sade Boswell, Hannah Struck, and goalkeeper Maggie Kloza proved to stifle a stellar Rivrehawks offense. As the scrimmage comes to a close and the coaches gather the group for the final huddle of this physically and mentally bruising week, a sense of pride and comradery is almost tangible. From the physical efforts given by these top-notch student-athletes to the inspirational attitudes of our injured reserved group led by Jessy Phillips and Brittany Pearsall, it is undeniable that this group of women has truly come to embody the word team. Look for this team over the next few months playing on DeLoache field under the lights, representing for the Riverhawk community.
