Head Coach Kathy Brown trains team up to conquer new challenges, opponents
Isabella Brown, Campus Carrier sports editor
With the upcoming soccer season approaching, Head Coach Kathy Brown of the women’s soccer team at Berry College has many challenges to face this coming season. There are many areas that Brown is looking to improve upon as well as look out for in the
fall semester.
Even though the soccer team did not win their conference last season, they were proud to have the chance to play against some top-ranking teams to show off their own abilities to the competition. One of the team’s key achievements last year was their win against Centre College, a high-ranking team, which was able to improve their postseason rankings. With achievements such as this, there was a positive trajectory over the season. Brown says she is satisfied with last season.
“I am proud of how we ended last season” Brown said.
With two new teams coming from southwestern Texas, the women’s soccer team has lot to prepare for. The teams joining the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) are Trinity and Southwestern. This has made a major shift in the ranking system, which in turn has made it more competitive. Especially with back-to-back games, Centre and Sewanee then will play against Trinity and Southwestern, this gives hardly any rest/recovery time between matches.
Many of the D-III schools in the north are reluctant to travel to Berry to play, making not only the season schedule but also the travel schedule a challenge. Managing this demanding season will be crucial for success.
With soccer season quickly approaching, the team is working hard to brush up on their training. In the previous season, there were some injuries early on. This is something the team hopes to avoid this year. Even in this grueling heat of the Georgia summer, the soccer team still pushes through. The game against Dalton State on Tuesday has given Brown the opportunity to see what she can develop. This scrimmage will be used for learning, working substitutions and the players’ development. The game will allow for unlimited substitutions unlike in the regular season.
“There are historic teams that do well, and it varies, like Swanee and Centre. It could be anyone during any year. If we get the chance to play against one of them, it’s fun.”
The goal is to be able to make tactical substitutions where performance level doesn’t drop. To maintain team preformance level, it is necessary to understand how to use these substitutions strategically, not just due to fatigue or errors.
This gives Brown the chance to rotate players to see what works best as well as the change to test tactic and player combinations. Scrimmages will provide critical learning opportunities and help prepare the team for this season’s physical and mental demands. Freshman players are ready to take on these demands. Freshman Anna Robins is ready for the challenges that this season has in store for her and her team.
“The upperclassmen have been welcoming to us freshmen,” Robins said. “It helps motivate us. I am ready for this season.”
Brown’s philosophy has not changed in 27 years of coaching. She will push her players to the best of their abilities and adapt her coaching to the needs of players. She wants to maintain performance and keep injuries low. With the large class of seniors and new freshmen, Brown is looking forward to this challenging season.