For senior Colleen Zulty, playing soccer was not in her high school game plan. She has limited experience in the game and lacrosse is her main focus. This year, she decided to try something new and play indoor soccer during the winter season. So far, she has been enjoying her time with the girls who play in the fall as well.
“The girls who play soccer during the fall are all very good. They are nice to the newcomers and help us during practice. The coaches are very helpful for the newcomers too and do not get frustrated at us,” Zulty said.
For fall soccer players, the winter season is considered a time to take a break and prepare for a spring sport. But for a small group of women soccer players, their soccer season continues long into the winter, as they continue to face teams in the IAAM athletic conference. Coached by Melissa Gomes, the women’s indoor soccer team is made up of girls with varying experience and skill levels.
Historically, the indoor soccer team’s general purpose was for the girls who didn’t make the fall team. It gave those who wanted it the experience of playing at a high school level.
“The numbers [of players] started to drop off. When that happened, the outdoor girls wanted to compete and were confident they could win,” athletic director Larry Dukes said.
The team’s confidence was satisfied. In 2008 and 2010, the indoor soccer team won their only IAAM championship matches. Again, however, the popularity of the sport decreased.
“Playing in the fall and the winter is a lot of soccer. A lot of the fall soccer girls play lacrosse in the spring as well. It literally came down to the wire this year finding people to play,” Dukes said.
“It’s one of those sports where finding practice venues and training times are difficult.”
The women’s indoor soccer team competes in the IAAM ‘A’ conference and is ranked third out of four teams total. With a record of 2-3-1 in the conference, the women’s soccer team has scored 25 goals total, the most out of all the teams. On the flip side, they have allowed 23, the second greatest number. Currently the team is also on a three-game losing streak.
The players on the team are not discouraged, however. The atmosphere on the team is light-hearted and fun, but the girls know when it’s time to get focused, according to junior and captain Becky Hottle.
“Everyone on our team has played soccer for at least a year, but not at the level we are competing at for varsity soccer. Also, a majority of the team is freshmen, so experience is definitely something we lack, but not in a bad way. It actually changes the style of play we use so everyone’s learning something new,” Hottle said. “Our style is very simple – pass the ball around the opponents. Nothing fancy, just going back to the basics of soccer.”
Despite being one of the newest players on the indoor soccer team, Zulty continues to enjoy herself and make strides in gaining skill.
“My favorite moment of the season so far has been scoring my first goal assisted by the other new players, Hanna Griffith and Mackenzie Rayburn. It showed the progress we were making and felt good to help the team win,” Zulty said.
The women’s indoor soccer team plays Baltimore Lutheran on Feb. 9th for the last game before playoffs.
Miranda Ripken is a Sports Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.