Girls soccer | Mercer Island fall sports previews

COACH: Terry Ryan

NUMBER OF ATHLETES: 65

LAST SEASON: The Islanders finished the regular season in sixth place with a 3-12-2 overall record and did not advance in the postseason.

STRENGTHS: “It’s going great,” said Terry Ryan, the new head coach. “The kids are fantastic and really working hard. We have a lot of strong leadership from the seniors — they are good role models and setting the standard for the rest of the girls. Corey, our goalie, is incredible. She’s a huge asset for us, and we’re very blessed.”

“We have a lot of experience,” said captain and goalie Corey Goelz. “We have 11 returners who have experience.”

“Our speed” is a top strength from captain Alexi Odegard.

FOCUS: Ryan said the first few days of practice were really about tryouts and assessing where the team was.

“We’ll be working on teamwork, fitness and ball skills,” he said of the first several weeks of practice. “They need to compete harder. The No. 1 goal is to compete and battle.”

“Finishing” is the number one thing the captains said the team has been working on. “It’s something we couldn’t do last year.”

CAPTAINS: Seniors Corey Goelz, Laura Harrison and Alexi Odegard.

“All of the kids — they are great, and it’s really encouraging,” said Ryan. “They are great kids and, really, I’m impressed in every regard.”

GAME TO WATCH: “We have our jamboree down at Hazen on Sept. 1 for varsity and JV,” said Ryan. “Our first game is a non-league game against Newport (Sept. 6).”

“We’re excited for Bellevue,” the captains said.

 

Contact Mercer Island Reporter Reporter Megan Managan at mmanagan@mi-reporter.com or (206) 232-1215 ext. 5054.

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