After losing ten seniors last year to graduation, Bravettes soccer coach Jose Perez knew that he was going to come back this season to a young team. However, after practicing for three weeks now, Coach Perez says that he's comfortable with the team.
"I was worried that I would have more inexperienced players than I would experienced players," Perez said. "But the team is very well balanced and I'm looking forward to this season."
With 30 girls in the program as of right now, seven of them are new to the sport, which Perez says can be difficult during practice due to the lack of help. However, he keeps it optimistic as he has two more weeks to work with those particular players more closely.
Perez's goal for this year is to finish with a .500 season. With a stronger team that's healthier, more physically fit and talent, Perez is confidant that this will be an improving year for the girls.
"When I lost my seniors, I lost some talent," Perez said. "But this year's team has really stepped up and proved to me that they're not going to back down from anybody. They're working hard, playing aggressively and I feel that the scoring will be higher this year."
As for making any changes to this year's formations, Perez will be sticking to his 4-3-3 combo - four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards. Offensively, the team looking great as Perez describes them as sharp and deadly.
Defense is also looking good as Perez still has his entire back line except for one that he lost to graduation. With both ends doing above average this year, the team will surely see some success.
The main focus that Perez has for the team this year is to work on passing and understanding positions. Communication between the girls is getting better and as they're learning how to work with one another, the team is slowly forming an ace team.
"I think that other teams may think that we're weak but we're going to surprise them," Perez said. "We may be a young team but we're a strong young team who is very dedicated."
Compared to the ten he lost last year, Perez will lose only half of that next May with his five seniors who are Nicole Warmack, Katelyn Bickett, Morgan Utley, Charley Pride and Callie Belt.
"After this season, they're going to be hard to replace," Perez said of his seniors. "They have all stepped up on the field and have shown senior leadership, as well as dedication to this team. I expect big things to come from them this year."
The girls jumpstarted their season with an alumni game this past Saturday night. With more than enough girls for the game, the 2008 Bravettes challenged past seasoned girls as they barely had enough for one team. With a total of 9 girls, the alumni were handicapped as they couldn't sub out during the game. But even with the disadvantage, the alumni girls managed to pull a 6-2 win. Scoring for the Alumni were Alex Paris with five goals and Victoria Perez with one goal.
The Bravettes will host Trigg County next Thursday for their first scrimmage of the season. The JV game will start at 5:45, with varsity following after.
