MONROE - As Monroe High School soccer players followed up crossing passes with powerful shots towards the goal, new coach Kyle Kasten challenged them to see how many goals they could score in five minutes.
As a first-year head coach taking over for longtime coach Miriam O'Neill, Kasten has been using the first week of practice as a training ground and a way to learn players' strengths.
"It's been a pretty smooth transition," Kasten said. "It's unfortunate it's been over spring break because we have had some players here and some players gone."
Even with several players on spring break trips, including sophomore goalie Anna Latimer, Kasten wanted to start building a foundation for success.
"The focus has been on finding their skills and talents and improving on those," Kasten said. "We want them to get as many touches, passes and as much communication as they can."
The Cheesemakers have been practicing at T.R. Holyoke Field in anticipation of their home opener on the field at 6:45 p.m. Friday. It will be the first game on the high school football field under the lights in the history of the girls soccer program. The Cheesemakers play most of their home games at Honey Creek Park.
Monroe will open its season Tuesday with a nonconference game at Sparta.
"It's great to be back," Monroe senior Reily Pond, who is one of three captains. "It's been great to really get back into the swing of things. We are better. We have learned a lot in a short period of time that will help us for the season. I think we have a good vibe going."
Pond is looking forward to playing a game on the football field. She watched as her brother, Atticus Pond, and the rest of the Monroe boys soccer team when they had a game under the lights in the fall.
"I'm really excited," Pond said. "I think having the game under the lights will bring more people out to the game, and we can showcase how we are as a team. Having a game at the stadium will be really exciting because we have never played a game there before."
As a first-year head coach taking over for longtime coach Miriam O'Neill, Kasten has been using the first week of practice as a training ground and a way to learn players' strengths.
"It's been a pretty smooth transition," Kasten said. "It's unfortunate it's been over spring break because we have had some players here and some players gone."
Even with several players on spring break trips, including sophomore goalie Anna Latimer, Kasten wanted to start building a foundation for success.
"The focus has been on finding their skills and talents and improving on those," Kasten said. "We want them to get as many touches, passes and as much communication as they can."
The Cheesemakers have been practicing at T.R. Holyoke Field in anticipation of their home opener on the field at 6:45 p.m. Friday. It will be the first game on the high school football field under the lights in the history of the girls soccer program. The Cheesemakers play most of their home games at Honey Creek Park.
Monroe will open its season Tuesday with a nonconference game at Sparta.
"It's great to be back," Monroe senior Reily Pond, who is one of three captains. "It's been great to really get back into the swing of things. We are better. We have learned a lot in a short period of time that will help us for the season. I think we have a good vibe going."
Pond is looking forward to playing a game on the football field. She watched as her brother, Atticus Pond, and the rest of the Monroe boys soccer team when they had a game under the lights in the fall.
"I'm really excited," Pond said. "I think having the game under the lights will bring more people out to the game, and we can showcase how we are as a team. Having a game at the stadium will be really exciting because we have never played a game there before."
