Big games, and Coach's thoughts

Now that we have the schedules in front of us, let's look at the important games for the season. There are more non-conference games than last season, speaking to Coach Mitchell's desire to see the team improve by facing tougher opponents. Frankly, the PTC doesn't cut it for a soccer team looking to build upon each success it has during the regular reason. What will be important come playoff time is experience, and experience against tougher opponents. Thus, Mitchell's lineup includes Cloverleaf, Boardman, Hudson, Stow-Munroe Falls, Cuyagoa Falls, Wadsworth, Green, James Garfield, and Revere. While some of these teams may not have had great records in the past, and may not have the same skill level, fundamentally, than our Rider team, they do get to play tougher teams consistently through the season, which makes these games difficult to win. Plus, come playoff time in late October, it will be important for Roosevelt to have racked up some solid non-conference wins to secure a nice seeding, and hopefully win their way out of their section.

The conference should, as always, be a tight race between Ravenna, Crestwood, Norton, and RHS, says Coach Mitchell. RHS defeated 2008 conference champion Norton in earlier scrimmages this season pretty handily, so it should feel pretty confident going into their September 1 away match there. The Lady Riders should also be confident going into their match against Ravenna. For one, it's a home game. Secondly, RHS took down Ravenna in arguably their best game in a long while last year in the sectional playoffs. They should come in with a swagger, expecting to beat the hated Ravens. Who knows about Crestwood, but the Riders did defeat them twice last season. The point is, with this team, with its experience, leadership, and toned talent, RHS should expect to win every game they play in the conference.

Coach Mitchell highlighted this year's non conference schedule being the "toughest... during my time as coach. So what adjustments does the team need to make?

1. Goal scoring-- with goal machine Katie Mitchell graduated, new scorers need to step up. The front line should include freshman Annie Kenney, and sophomore Maggie Connell. In addition, junior Michaela Kline should provide experience and leadership on offense. The offense took a steep hit when it lost junior Taylor Murphy to some kind of virus, which has sidelined her for the season. We at the KRWS blog send our thoughts out to her for a speedy recovery!

2. Clean play-- passing needs to improve from last year. Many times, play was sloppy, touches were mishandled, which resulted in unnecessary turnovers. the final playoff game of the 2008 season, an unfortunate drubbing at the hands of Jackson. Now, Jackson was excellent. Their passing was impeccable, defense was unrelentless, and they had a girl who could throw a ball from the sidelines to the middle of the box, which resulted in at least two goals. RHS put up a good fight, and the game was enjoyable to watch. However, Roosevelt will simply be unable to compete with teams like Jackson without the ability to keep the ball in its possession for an extended period of time.

3. Lastly, speed is very important, and Coach Mitchell has stressed through in his early fall practices. Speed of movement with the ball, combined with good passing, will lead to favorable results for the Lady Riders.

4. Defense is important, obviously. Senior leaders need to step up and fill the gap left by Jessica Giulitto. Abby Bradford, goalie, needs to make her players aware of what they need to be doing to assist her in goal. Last year's team didn't have such a problem with this, but it's important I think just to highlight the need for better defense in the face of a tougher schedule. It's nice that Coach Mitchell has scheduled four (4) semi-tough scrimmages before the season is to start. It's important that the defense be consistently tested.

Any other improvements need to be made that I may have missed?

Now, the team already has several strengths that make it a serious contender not just for a conference crown, but to make it far in the playoffs. I'm sure I won't hit everything, so let me know if you have any more.

1. Team chemistry-- Coach Mitchell talks about his players as a very "positive" group, with "outstanding senior leadership." Whoever actually gets captain will almost be unimportant, as there are more than just three valuable seniors on the team, not just for their talents on the field, but for their ability to lead by example and stay positive through hard times I have been very impressed by the cohesion of the seniors through four years of high school soccer. The seniors should understand this team CAN do great things, but only through the COMBINED efforts of the outstanding senior class.

2. Goal keeping-- Abby Bradford is dope. That's it.

3. Toughness, both mental and physical-- I remember in the Ravenna playoff game of last year, a) the game was played at Ravenna Stadium in front of a hostile crowd, b) they were playing their rivals, c) the season would end if the game was lost, d) the surface of the field was astroturf, and very wet, which meant the ball was hydroplaning at every pass made, confusing players and taking them out of their fundamental game. This same game, Jessica Giulitto went out with a terrifying injury and goal keeper Abby Bradford (dope) got injured BUT stayed in the game. These were just some of the injuries sustained in the game. Ravenna was REALLY roughing up our players, getting more and more physical as the game progressed. And Roosevelt still won. Bradford played a great game in goal, stopping some very tough kicks. The defense held tight. The midline played great, passing well, focusing on advancing the ball with control. And in the end, though they were tired, dirty, and broken down, the team held strong, NOT letting these mental and physical hinderances prevent them from winning the game. This is DEFINITELY a characteristic of Roosevelt women's soccer. I love it.