As Manitou Springs High School sports transition into spring seasons, girls soccer has begun. The first day of tryouts was Monday, Feb. 23, the girls will now continue to practice at the Mestas soccer field at 4pm, every weekday after school.
Ben Mack is the head coach of girls varsity soccer as well as a biology teacher at MSHS. Mack has been helping out with girls soccer for a long time but has been head varsity coach for 11 years.
Other coaches include Scott Cote, who coaches varsity soccer, Jonathan Fugate, who is the head JV coach and Sam Duff, who is on staff at MSHS and also coaches JV.
Mack believes the team this year has decreased in numbers and has lost a few talented players from last season. “We lost some really good seniors,” Said Mack, “then losing Nolan was also a pretty tough blow.” Nolan Barret was a freshman last year on the girls varsity team, this year she has transferred to Pueblo West High School.
Elisa Karr (11), who played on varsity last year, recognizes the loss of players. “I anticipate that we will still be strong,” Karr said, “but it’s more of a building year.”
The season is predicted to last until the end of May. Rylynne Murphy Skillen (12), a varsity player, anticipates and hopes to win their league again. She also anticipates going further than they had in the playoffs last year.
Murphy Skillen believes the team is an open supportive environment. “Whenever anyone has a problem, the team is somewhere that you can go to, looking for that support,” Murphy Skillen said.
Mack believes the Manitou girls soccer team is a very strong program, he is proud of the kindness and encouragement the team shows towards each other on the field. He is also proud that they are able to push each other in a positive way. “Ultimately, that’s the name of the game, is to compete, work really hard and have a lot of fun,” Mack said.
The girls first game against TCA was originally scheduled for March 10, Varsity was rescheduled for a later date due to overlapping sports, and JV will continue to play them on the original date scheduled. Home games for the girls soccer team are held at the George Rykovich Stadium.
Mack is super excited for the season. “Girls soccer is always just a ton of fun. For me, it’s just a great time of year, just being outside and working with all the athletes,” Mack said.
Mack also appreciates being able to play against really good teams. “I am excited to see how we get better throughout the year,” he said.
