Site search
sponsored by
News
FARMER’S KORNER — Hanna Banks was simply being honest. With the Summit High girls’ soccer team’s season opener only one day away, the junior captain admitted that she was nervous.
Not just because it’s her first game in a Tiger uniform since transferring from Washington state, but because it’ll be her team’s first time on actual grass this season.
“I’ve never done the whole practicing indoors thing before, so I think it’s really hard,” Banks said, explaining that because of the snow at Farmer’s Korner, the team has practiced in the SHS gymnasium. “ ... I’m really, really nervous, because we haven’t been as a full team on a full field yet.”
The Tigers will get that chance Thursday, when they open their season with a match at Green Mountain High School.
After losing nearly 10 seniors off last season’s team, most of which were starters, first-year head coach Tommy Gogolen sees this spring as a rebuilding opportunity for the Tigers.
“We have about four returning starters, which is not too great,” Gogolen said. “ ... We’re looking for a lot of new development this season. We’re looking to have a fun year, and if we can get a few wins that’d be great.”
As is the case for the majority of the SHS spring teams, the girls’ soccer squad has been forced to get creative in its preseason training. The Tigers have tried to simulate play in the confines of the gymnasium.
“There’s definitely a lot of imagining,” Gogolen said of Summit’s practices.
But the Tigers are only worried about the things that they can control.
“We’ll have to work them hard too, because they can’t run out on a field,” the coach added. “We have to make sure that their fitness level is where it needs to be.”
Gogolen said that the team will rely on the play of Banks and seniors Rachel Burnett and Hannah Marion.
Despite being a first-year member of the Tigers’ squad, Banks was named a captain. The midfielder is going to be a “great addition to the team,” Gogolen said.
Burnett will anchor Summit’s defense, which Gogolen feels will be one of the team’s strengths.
“We’re going to be really focusing on a strong defense,” Gogolen said. “Most of our returners are on the defensive side. We’re going to be focusing on some basic things like hustle and picking our aggressiveness up from last year.”
Gogolen also said that he won’t really have a good idea on how good his team is until it finally takes the field. His players feel the same way.
“Getting acquainted with the field is a big deal,” senior Lara Silven said. “The ball just doesn’t bounce the same. Being able to adapt will be key for us early.”
Thursday’s match is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
Team at a glance:
Head coach: Tommy Gogolen, first season
Key players:
— Rachel Burnett, Sr.
— Hanna Banks, Jr.
— Hannah Marion, Sr.
Not just because it’s her first game in a Tiger uniform since transferring from Washington state, but because it’ll be her team’s first time on actual grass this season.
“I’ve never done the whole practicing indoors thing before, so I think it’s really hard,” Banks said, explaining that because of the snow at Farmer’s Korner, the team has practiced in the SHS gymnasium. “ ... I’m really, really nervous, because we haven’t been as a full team on a full field yet.”
The Tigers will get that chance Thursday, when they open their season with a match at Green Mountain High School.
After losing nearly 10 seniors off last season’s team, most of which were starters, first-year head coach Tommy Gogolen sees this spring as a rebuilding opportunity for the Tigers.
“We have about four returning starters, which is not too great,” Gogolen said. “ ... We’re looking for a lot of new development this season. We’re looking to have a fun year, and if we can get a few wins that’d be great.”
As is the case for the majority of the SHS spring teams, the girls’ soccer squad has been forced to get creative in its preseason training. The Tigers have tried to simulate play in the confines of the gymnasium.
“There’s definitely a lot of imagining,” Gogolen said of Summit’s practices.
But the Tigers are only worried about the things that they can control.
“We’ll have to work them hard too, because they can’t run out on a field,” the coach added. “We have to make sure that their fitness level is where it needs to be.”
Gogolen said that the team will rely on the play of Banks and seniors Rachel Burnett and Hannah Marion.
Despite being a first-year member of the Tigers’ squad, Banks was named a captain. The midfielder is going to be a “great addition to the team,” Gogolen said.
Burnett will anchor Summit’s defense, which Gogolen feels will be one of the team’s strengths.
“We’re going to be really focusing on a strong defense,” Gogolen said. “Most of our returners are on the defensive side. We’re going to be focusing on some basic things like hustle and picking our aggressiveness up from last year.”
Gogolen also said that he won’t really have a good idea on how good his team is until it finally takes the field. His players feel the same way.
“Getting acquainted with the field is a big deal,” senior Lara Silven said. “The ball just doesn’t bounce the same. Being able to adapt will be key for us early.”
Thursday’s match is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
Team at a glance:
Head coach: Tommy Gogolen, first season
Key players:
— Rachel Burnett, Sr.
— Hanna Banks, Jr.
— Hannah Marion, Sr.
