Warrior girls soccer team looks to improve in 2011

Lyndsay Veerkamp, in blue, of Del Norte, battles for the ball against McKinleyville on Wednesday on the road. Submitted photo

After winning a single game in 2010, Byers, in his sixth year as head coach, says that the mixture of veterans and newcomers bodes well for an improved squad.

Practices have gone well and the girls have shown a willingness to learn, as well as enjoying the sport, Byers said.

“I think there’s been improvement here,” he said. “We are learning to pass and control the ball better.”

Byers said that the team is doing a much better job moving down the field and believes that the offense will be better for it.

The Warriors opened the season on Wednesday with a 5-0 road loss to McKinleyville.

Last year, Del Norte had trouble moving the ball on offense.

Byers said that it was encouraging to see that the girls were able to move down the field on several occasions and had several scoring chances.

While unable to capitalize, Byers said it was good for them to be able to be in the position to score. Now, they must work on being more consistent in scoring goals.

There are currently about 25 girls on the team, around six more than this time last season, Byers said.

There are a number of veterans that Byers hopes will bring leadership and help the younger players develop.

Returning veterans include senior goalie Molly Lambert, who is also seeing time at forward and has shown the ability to get the ball down the field and hopefully can develop into a scorer. Tanasha Santos will also see time at goalie when Lambert is playing on offense.

Senior Lyndsay Veerkamp and Hana Dykes are two defensive leaders. They have done a good job getting the ball away from defenders and distributing the ball well to their teammates.

Byers has also liked how Hailey Hulse and Paige Pingree have contributed and expects them to have solid seasons at forward.

Last year, while the defense was solid, with the offense unable to move the ball, other squads had way too many scoring chances.

“We have more balance on both sides of the ball and we have good speed,” he said.

 Byers, who has been involved in soccer locally for several years, including being a ref, said he enjoys working with the girls and passing on his knowledge to them.

“I really enjoy the sport,” he said.  “It gives them an opportunity to go out, have fun and achieve their given set of goals in the sport.”

One of the assistants this year is Jorge Gonzalez, who has been involved in youth soccer in the area for a number of years.