As the fall sports season ended with three league championships, the winter women’s soccer season has started with many expectations to meet last year’s West Sierra League championship.

“We are a good team with a lot of talented players,” Whitney Counts, ’03, said. “If we just focus and work hard I think we can do it again. There are a lot of new girls on the team who won’t get to play as much as others which is hard.”

Last year the team struggled with a serious injuries and the team hopes this year to be free from injury.

“I got side tackled and fell over a girl’s leg,” Ashley Knepper, ’03, said. “I broke my collar bone and dislocated my arm. I didn’t get to play in the playoffs and we didn’t have enough people on the team for subs.”

“I can see our team improving more and more each day,” Morgan Rigby, ’04, said. “Other than team goals, my goal is to be a recognized as a good asset to the team. We all need to work together to accomplish our goals and help out the new girls.”

Other than daily practices the team has a long-term goal to work hard and attempt competing at the championship.

“Everyone has the opportunity to win Valley and this team is no different,” Robert Foshee, head coach, said. “It’s a matter of how much work and dedication the team is willing to invest. We have a good mix of returning talent and new comers with a lot of potential.”

Other than there being 15 new girls on the team there is also a new assistant coach, Andrea Baier, who be helping out Foshee.

“I think Andy is a really good coach,” Kimberly Bimat,’05, said. “She is a tough coach who teaches and works us hard on the field but then off the field she is really cool to talk to and laugh with. The practices are fun but the tournaments are the best part of the season.”

Other than playing in an upcoming tournament, the team also loves to eat and hang out around each other.

“I can’t wait until the Garces Tournament,” Ashley Gable, ’05, said. “That is always a lot of fun because we all become closer as a team and there is a lot of food. I can’t wait to start the actual season I think we are going to do great things. ”

Not only are the players excited about the tournaments but the coach also looks forward to them.

“I always look forward to the process of the season,” Foshee said. “because the wins and the losses are forgotten soon but the memories in between are blessings.”

While soccer attendance is not as high as basketball during the winter season, there are still many fans looking forward to the home games.

“I am really looking forward to watching the girls play this year,” Adam Leisle, ’04, said. “I am playing soccer on the guys team and I think that both teams are going to be pretty good this year. There will be some really good games this season.”