MATCH PHOTOS: http://bit.ly/2MGNlTW
Lots of changes have been made the last few years in Cardinal High School’s athletic department. Whether it is new lights being put up at the football stadium, a new gym floor that will benefit multiple teams, or a split from the coed varsity soccer team, the program has been making changes.
The Huskies will have a girls’ soccer team for just the second year in a row, one of the last Chagrin Valley Conference teams to do so.
When asked what differences he sees between boys and girls soccer, head coach Brian Gallagher said, “Girls soccer is definitely more physical than boys soccer. And one thing I can say about the majority of the girls I coach, there have been very few boys that I’ve coached that have the heart of these girls.”
It may just be the second year for the Huskies’ split from their usual coed varsity soccer team, but Gallagher is hopeful and excited for their future.
The team will have many new faces that the program may not be familiar with.
Returning for the Huskies will be seniors Rachel Goodrich, Katie Fazi, Terryan Metheny and Lexi Simak.
A few familiar faces on the roster include junior captains Sydney Spitler, Katie Starr, Kayla Valentine and Mya Revak, who the team will rely on heavily for leadership and experience.
Spitler, who is returning to the field for another season, would like to see a couple more wins added for this team, and overall growth.
“We look a lot more energetic and excited to play this year,” Spitler said, smiling.
“This year will be a lot of learning, identical to last year,” said coach Gallagher.
If Cardinal wants a winning season, it must focus on the fundamentals and vocal aspect of the game. Due to all those new faces, this team will stress fundamentals.
Goodrich, who was voted captain by her teammates, is hopeful for the season.
“I just want the girls to feel confident and that they want to come back next year,” Goodrich said. When asked what she wanted her last season as a Husky to be remembered by, she stressed positivity: “When I do something wrong, I want the girls to learn from my mistakes.”
It may take the Huskies a few games to figure out their part from the usual soccer teams, but the program seems hopeful for what it has up ahead — bigger numbers.
“We are hoping to push over 20 girls next year, which is building the program,” Gallagher said. This is a perfect start for the Huskies to make their mark.