As a new season dawns, the Lady Spartans hope to continue success.
Emily Cordes carries the ball downfield in the Spartans 5-0 loss to Columbine on Monday. photo by Kevin Fleming
For the students of TJ, the changing of the seasons means one thing: spring sports, and with it comes Lady Spartan Soccer.
The Lady Spartans are lead this year by former Assistant Coach an Spartan Alum, Sara Andolseck, and new Assistant Coach Jamie Gwinner. ” I think we have a really strong team. They all work extremely hard and are motivated for success. I expect the team to do real damage this year,” said Andolseck.
Andolseck brings not only the experience needed as a coach and former player, but the heart of a former Spartan. Andolseck graduated from TJ in 1998 and was widely known for her leg on both the soccer and football field. Aside from playing soccer she was the placekicker for the varsity football team. She is a much-needed addition to the team as the girls look to make their mark on the post season.
Along with the return of Andolseck, the Lady Spartans see seven returning seniors, all bringing the experience of playing before, be it through TJ or club teams. Of the returning players Robin Emerson, Sara Thurber, Mallory Knoll, Demi Sullivan, Julia Puckett and Savanna Rooney all hope to leave their mark, with Alexa Johnson sitting injured reserved until hopefully halfway through the season.
Since the start of the season, the ladies have played two games. The girls opened up against Elizabeth at TJ on March 7th and took the Cardinals by storm, winning 6-0. The win was a great way to start the season. Goal scorers included Emily Cordes, Belin Gomez, and Rachel Newman, all with two goals apiece.
On March 9th the girls then took on the Columbine Rebels only to fall 6-0. “Our team struggles with higher ranked teams. At this point in the season, getting intimidated is our biggest weakness,” said Andolseck. The intensity was there in the first half, but the offensive surge was short-lived as the girls struggled throughout the second.
The girls hope to rebound today (Wednesday) at TJ against Woodland Park at 4:15.
