Sports
Lady Knights Experiencing a Season of Change
Francis Howell North girls soccer team has to adjust to first-year head coach for the 2011 season.
If one thing defines the Francis Howell North Lady Knights 2011 campaign, it’s change.
Mark Olwig is serving his first year as head coach. Prior to moving to Francis Howell North, Olwig led St. Charles West’s girls soccer team as head coach for 19 years.
“I haven’t been around for years, I’ve played against these girls and that’s it,” Olwig said. “The girls have to get used to me. I don’t know of anything specific that’s new, but they have to get used to a different way of doing things. We have big goals, we’re working toward a state championship. I know a lot of coaches say that, but it’s something we’re really working toward. The season really gets started when it’s time for Districts. In the time leading up to that we have to concentrate on getting better so we can win a district championship and go further.”
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The Lady Knights lost six seniors to graduation last year off of a team that finished with a 17-4 mark. Olwig said the team lost its top goal scorers to graduation. Sophomore Allie McDonnell and senior Kelsey Fouch will both play forward this year. Fouch earned varsity time last year in the backfield and McDonnell earned varsity time up top. Olwig said he’s expecting big things out of both players after they adjust to a new season and new coach.
Juniors Jade Shinn and Nicole Massarand will play center midfield this spring.
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“They got some time at the varsity level last year,” Olwig said of the midfield. “We’re going to expect them to take control of the game and find the front runners. They’ll be our link from the defensive third to the attack mode.”
Olwig calls defense his team’s strong point this year. Sophomores Kayla Welch and Hali Long will play center back and seniors Ashley Troutman and Stephanie Blanchard will play wing back.
“It’ll take us awhile to gel with new players and a new coach,” Olwig said. “We may have to get our players in the back attacking to help with the offense.”
The Lady Knights suffered a 2-1 overtime defeat at the hands of St. Dominic on March. 18.
“There were a lot of positives we can take out of this,” Olwig said. “We had some issues with our game fitness and I’ll take the blame for that. We played some good defense. We just need time to get our legs under us and figure out what we are doing.”