OxfordPress.com

After recently joining the Fort Ancient Valley Conference as a member of the Scarlet Division, Talawanda High School also welcomes a new face as the varsity girls soccer head coach.

Julie Evers, joining junior varsity coach Chris Clark, heads up the team after making her first appearance in the Oxford community as a student of Miami University's Sports Studies graduate program.

Although this is her first season with THS, Evers has certainly done her share of both high school and club soccer coaching. After doing a decent amount of coaching on California's west coast, Evers comes most recently from coaching the DSA club soccer team in Dayton.

Under the leadership of Evers, the team's two senior captains Julie Applebaum and Carol Reimer and junior captain Katie Richardson, the girls kicked off their season with a THS alumni scrimmage. The team members stomped their "older and wiser" opponents to the ground with a score of 5-1. Although not a league game, this scrimmage certainly set the stage for a season that holds much promise of success.

Game two resulted in a bit of a closer final score, but THS still came out on top with a 2-1 win over Eaton. Despite the fact that the team is very young this year — more than half its members being sophomores — the girls have proved to be working very hard to further develop their skills and improve team weaknesses.

"If we can just stay healthy, we should have a successful and fun year," Evers said. "I think the girls will learn a lot, and they are definitely willing to do the work."

It is clear that Evers has high expectations for her girls. However, she is not overly concerned with the team's past record. The season strategy seems to be dominated by Evers' hope to create a team of competent soccer players, not simply aiming for a perfect record. Although, winning games is certainly always a plus.

"I just want to be consistent in our development," Evers explained. "I want to compare the girls to their past performances, not to other teams."

Attitudes and energy both seem to be the name of the game this year, and so far it seems to be working like a charm. Although it is a little premature to give a full season report, the ladies of THS soccer are definitely putting their name on the map.

"We are doing a lot better this year. I think we will win a lot more. Our weaker areas are getting better," said Mandy Withrow, who is a sophomore team member.

Although THS operates on a pay-to-play system, Evers pointed out just how much the parents, as well as Talawanda's Athletic Boosters, help with the team. The strong backbone of the Oxford community has shown through in the support they have given all their athletic teams.

To get out and support the lady soccer players of THS, check out their schedule at www.talawanda.net/THS/athletics.html.