Still young, but gaining experience

Talk about it

When Kevin Adams took over Rosemount’s girls soccer program a year ago, he knew progress was going to take time.

He had a young team entering the 2007 season, and Adams planned on implementing a new system.

A year later, Adams still is facing some of the same challenges. His team is still young, but they have gained experience in his system and that should help his team find success more often in 2008.

“We only graduated four players,” Adams said. “But we did lose two of our top three scorers.

“We are going to be competitive, although we will be young. We have a little more experience and have added a little bit of speed to our team.”

Shade Pratt scored six goals and had three assists a year ago for the Irish, and she will be expected to pace the offense.

“We will have a little more depth this year, but we are going to have to find some scoring,” Adams said. “It will be by committee. We have to see who will step up.”

Other players were active up front for Rosemount last year, including senior Laura Lewiski and sophomore Sarah Scinto.

“Right now we are focusing our energies on playing faster this year,” Adams said. “We need to switch fields and move the ball more quickly this year. We need to put more pressure on the ball.”

A year ago, defensive pressure wasn’t strong enough and it led to some losses.

“We weren’t pushing them,” Adams said. “What we are going to try and do this year is play the sides and some crosses into the middle.

“Hopefully some of our players can finish balls. The good teams pack the middle. If we can spread some teams out by using our speed, we are hoping that is going to help.”

On the backside, Katie Berkopec will return as the goaltender.

“She had a marvelous second half of the season,” Adams said. “She played really well. We expect Katie to really step up. Our success is going to start with what she is able to do in the back. She is vocal. She is a leader.”

Adams is hoping the team continues the momentum started a year ago.

“I think toward the end of the season we were getting there,” he said. “We were very competitive against some very good competition.”

Starting the season

Rosemount took to the field last week to start the season. On Thursday, the Irish traveled to Rochester and came home with a 1-1 tie against John Marshall.

On Saturday, it was another long trip, this time to Duluth to face Duluth Central.

The bus ride didn’t seem to bother Rosemount, which came away with a 5-1 victory.

On Monday, the Irish lost 2-0 at Shakopee.

Tags: sports, soccer, girls