The RHS women’s soccer team trained this summer in hopes of winning the Suburban league, becoming district champions and eventually going to states.

The team’s summer consisted of optional conditioning that allowed the team to participate in various exercises. The girls participated in running exercises and took advantage of the open field to play unorganized and unofficial games. The team also planned other outside activities such as a team picnic and a summer training camp near the Columbus area to expose the girls to college coaches. Captains of the team include seniors Amanda Gallo, Maddie Holvey and Katie Sternasty.

Dave Howson, the head coach of the team, entered his third year of coaching this season. After asking if the seniors and freshmen trained together, Howson explained the team’s training methods during the current school year.

“At the moment, we are currently all training together, just generally because of the numbers. We do not have a large squad altogether. And if we did, it would not necessarily be ‘freshmen’ and ‘seniors’. It would be Varsity and Junior Varsity… we have right now just one freshman that starts for our Varsity… We have another two freshmen that are on the Varsity squad… Junior Varsity will do one drill, and Varsity will do that same drill… and then we let them all play together, just so they have enough members to put in everybody on the field,” Howson said.

Coach Howson also said that his goal for the players is “to always improve on the season before” the current one.

Maddie Holvey, one of the team’s senior players that plays center midfielder, explained what the team is currently doing for training.

“At practice we do a lot of possession drills because it is so important to the game of soccer to control the ball. We also work on a lot of crossing and finishing because a majority of our goals come from crosses. We do a lot of just passing and touch work to keep us focused and in shape,” Holvey said.

Holvey also noted on what the team hopes to accomplish, as well as the closeness of the team.

“We are hoping to win Suburban League and become District Champs. We work hard, but we also have quite a lot of fun, and I love that it is a close group. The seniors have actually been playing together since 5th Grade,” Holvey said.

Caitlyn Bailey, another senior on the team, started playing soccer when she was four years old and currently plays as the team’s left midfielder. She acknowledged why she enjoys being on the soccer team and the team’s goals.

“[Soccer] is a great sport. It is not too girly, and it involves a lot of exercise. The team is hoping to win Suburban league, and eventually make states, which we would have to make through districts and then regionals,” Bailey said.

Holvey additionally talked of the team’s appreciation of the new soccer fans.

“We really appreciate the new soccer fans in the stands this season… we hope they continue to come out and support us!” Holvey said.

The girls defeated Tallmadge in the District Semi-Finals, and then beat Laurel in the District Finals, becoming District Champions for the 2013 season.