Rob Carpentier assumed the helm of the Tiger girls' soccer ship last fall and quickly produced the best results in the program's history. The Tigers went 9-5-2 overall and set numerous individual and team records.
Sixteen letterwinners return this season, but Carpentier said that doesn't necessarily mean the win-loss numbers will automatically get better in 2010.
"Our schedule is much more daunting this year," he said. "We will be playing at least five teams that were ranked last year and six who were part of the old Lake Conference.
"We are focusing on former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden's well-known pyramid of success. Wooden never talked to his players about winning and losing but instead tried to instill the fundamentals of the pyramid. If we do that, the winning and losing part will take care of itself."
Heading the list of returnees are six seniors: midfielders Devyn Alberts, Laine Trowbridge, Shelby Calhoun and Janine Miller, and defenders Amber Johnson and Elena Koch.
Other returning letterwinners include juniors Ashley Kimmel, Kelli Harstad. Taylor Meyer, Tia Jacoby, Natalee Chromy, Gabby White and Alyssa Parco and sophomores Nadia Lorencz, Leah Zak and Alex Frost.
Alberts scored 20 goals last fall and will be counted on heavily again at the offensive end. Midfielder Kimmel and goalkeeper Meyer each earned all-conference honorable mention last season.
Carpentier said his team's depth and speed should be definite assets.
"Every girl could potentially be a starter," he said. "There's very little drop-ff from our first line to our second. We have three of the fastest girls in the conference and section and overall, we should have the experience to know how to be successful."
As far as concerns, staying healthy is paramount. Three players, including senior captain Liz Gallus, have already suffered major knee injuries.
Carpentier added that he has also instituted a new formation and players may take some time to adjust to it.
"We'll also have to compensate for the loss of Katrina Waltz (23 goals last season)," he said. "So far, I would say that as a team they have shown they can more than make up for it."
The Tiger coach said he doesn't like handicapping conference and section races but offered that Shakopee, Northfield and his team should all be in the mix in the Missota Conference chase.
"I'd like to think that our schedule will have us ready to compete with anyone by October," he said.
Tracie Randall will coach the Tiger junior varsity with Linda Crawford working with the B-squad. Eric Shelton will serve as varsity assistant and also handle the ninth grade coaching chores.
