Soccer: Foxes Ready for New Season

A special thanks to Coach Mike Jacobs for providing the following article and photograph. You can follow the soccer team on its website here and on its Facebook page here.

With a disappointing end to the 2011 season in the Regional opener, Coach Jacobs has a new perspective about this year's team, "This is the group who will be turning the Yorkville girls' program around." 

After only winning a handful of games last season, the team is focused on a new beginning and accepting the young talent that is coming through the program, along with several key players who are familiar with the team philosophy or recently came from other sports programs in the district. 

"You never want to completely put yourself out there to begin a season because you always have to expect the unexpected, but I'd be lying if I said we didn't have tremendous expectations for these girls and this season," Jacobs said.  "We have a new attitude, with several true leaders on this team.  It's going to be a fun year."

The Lady Foxes high school soccer program is in its fifth year, and there is a lot to be desired.  However, both Head Coach Jacobs and Assistant Coach Johnson understand the road ahead of them and welcome the challenge. 

"The exciting part is knowing who we have on this team, what we expect from them, and how we know what their hard work and determination will do for future girls' teams in this program.  The tough part (for the girls) is for them to fully understand it right now.  Once the season is complete, they will.  Until then, they will have to trust us," says a confident Assistant Coach Johnson.

Helping lead the team will be returning starters Brittany Straznickas, Betsy Strazante, Nicki Hills, Courtney Bass, Sigrid Piszczek and Alyssa Heimbach. They will be surrounded by new additions to the program that will be competing for playing time. All in all there is a great amount of athleticism on the team and outstanding work ethic.

With a new Facebook page and website dedicated to the program, community awareness has risen drastically in the last year of the soccer program, leaving both coaches looking forward to every practice and game with the players. 

"We know what we have, and are optimistic about things.  What we don't know is who wants to be filling these jerseys and for how long each game.  The girls know we are only taking players who are willing to give it their all and can accept the vision we have laid in front of them for this program." 

The players are currently training intensely, as they have nearly a month before for their first game with Rosary. 

"All I can ask is that these girls show up to practice every day, listening to what we know and what we expect from them.  If they can trust us through these tough practice sessions then we will get over that 'breaking point' and start turning this into a winning attitude for a winning program of the future.  Trust will be the key though," mentions a determined Coach Jacobs.  "Everything will be built on trust."

The Foxes open their season on March 28th against Rosary High School.