April 12, 2021 at 8:31 a.m.
RHS girls' soccer embracing the long road back
RHS girls' soccer embracing the long road back
That's going to end soon enough for the Hodags, who are scheduled to begin competition on the artificial turf at Mike Webster May 4 against Mosinee.
It's been a long way back for the Hodag girls' soccer program which, like all spring sports, saw its 2020 campaign canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A lot has changed in that time. Mike Webster Stadium got an upgrade, the Hodag Dome was constructed and two classes of seniors have graduated.
That's why the team has spent the last six weeks getting ready to hit the ground running when official practice begins April 26.
"It was such a blessing to practice before the actual season starts just because we're getting to know the freshmen and the sophomore (groups)," coach Richard Kotula said. "We're trying to fill in some of those gaps that were left from two senior groups. That's a challenge, but the positive thing is a lot of those upcoming players are very skilled, talented ladies that will definitely make an impact this year - which I'm really glad to see."
The WIAA afforded spring sports teams 15 unrestricted coaching contact days for this school year only due to the pandemic. The window to use those contact days was very broad - as long as none took place in the week prior to the first official practice of the season.
While all other RHS spring sports decided to put their contact days into either a three- or four-week window, Kotula spread out his contact days. The first took place March 1 and the last contact day is scheduled for Thursday. The rationale was less about easing the players back into the sport and more about looking to bridge the gap between the end of the winter sports season, and the beginning of spring.
"I'm not sure if putting it all together at the end would be more beneficial than doing it this way. I think both ways have their own advantages," he said. "For us, what made it successful, is that the ladies that are joining had the opportunity immediately after winter sports to get into something. Their bodies are already in really great athletic shape and we're keeping that shape going before the season starts.
"That month and a half time period of doing nothing might have been detrimental to what they already learned in the winter sports season."
Like many of its spring sports counterparts, the girls' soccer team took its workouts outdoors early last week, as the thermometer crept into the upper 70s. Kotula said while it's nice to get outdoors ahead of the start of official practice, pretty much all of the Hodags' competition will have been afforded the same opportunity.
"For us, having the dome was a blessing because if there was a lot of snow, or cold or thunderstorms, we're able to still practice," he said. "But now, the field is leveled for everyone. Everyone has the same chance of competing at the same time and getting ready for the season."
The extended contact window has also brought the team some valuable time as it welcomes in essentially two new classes that are new to high school soccer.
"The team itself had a pretty good group in all the grades, starting from freshmen to seniors. Fortunately, we have some seniors and juniors that had some experience playing high school soccer, which definitely helps during the practices. They can lead the younger ladies into how we do things."
The Hodags are fortunate to have seven players who recorded stats in Great Northern Conference play two seasons ago remaining on the roster. That includes first-team all-GNC goalkeeper Kahlie Arneson and honorable mention recipients Ella Schiek and Gwyn Lowry. That experience has helped the Hodags transition into this season. Kotula said, as the contact days have progressed, the emphasis has shifted from individual skills to tactics and formations.
"The goal was, when the first practice actually hits, that the team is ready and knowledgeable of our tactics, playing time and positioning, so that they are very comfortable when that first game against Mosinee is played," he said. "When they step on to the pitch, they'll know what to do from the warmup to the very last whistle."
As the season approaches, Kotula said team numbers during the voluntary workouts continue to hover in the lower 30s. He added that he would love to see more players come out, regardless of their skill level.
"It's a pretty comfortable number, but we would still love to have more players to join," he said. "As coaches and players, we're encouraging anyone that has not signed up for any spring sports yet, they are welcome to join the soccer team. We have plenty of great staff that are taking care of those ladies."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.