The coaching staff for the Madison College women’s soccer team may be new this year, but coach Logan Fye said the expectations remain the same.
“With this being my first season as the women’s head coach, I’m looking forward to building upon the foundations that were set in place by previous coach, Matt Schwartz,” Fye said.
“My expectations are that we create our own unique team identity and culture where our student-athletes feel a genuine connection to our program. If we do that, the rest will fall into place, and I see us having a very successful season.”
After a year at the helm of the college’s men’s soccer team, Fye will be coaching both squads this season. He follows Matt Schwartz, who posted a 60-30-8 record during his eight seasons as coach. The team finished 8-4-3 last season.
The team returns eight players who saw significant playing time last season. Atziry Ocampo had five goals and four assists to lead the returnees, while Cami Gilbertson had four goals and one assist. Other returnees include Mirella Zielke, Jeanelle Alonso, Annaleise Romeis, Shayla Mendonca, Emma McGlynn and Yessenia Angeles.
Madison College lost three players to graduation who accounted for a combined 18 goals last season – Kiersten McHugh, Delany Bracken and Savi Pursley.
“The coaching staff has been thoroughly pleased with how our returners have led the group in the early stages of the season,” Fye said. “They all offer something unique both on field and off field that has been great to see. I expect each of them to pop up with big moments throughout the season that leads to our success.”
Fye said he and the other coaches have been pleased with what they’ve seen from the in practices so far this season.
“Early on, I knew right away that this group is dialed in,” he said. “They’ve been extremely attentive and have shown major growth already in the first two weeks.”
He believes one of the team’s strengths will be its overall athleticism.
“I think we will have a very good spine to our team, which means strong central players up and down the field,” Fye said. “We have good athleticism especially high up the field, so I expect us to be able to win the ball off our opponent near their goal quite often which should lead to quick counterattack opportunities. I also think that we have several players who are capable of scoring so we will be hard to gameplan against.”
Madison College opens the season with a match at home against Oakton College on Aug. 24 and then travels to Moraine Valley Community College in Illinois on Aug.31
“I think the first match of the season is always a big one. Oakton has a talented team and last year’s match was a tight one in the season opener, so I expect a similar type of battle,” Fye said.
“Game 2 is a difficult away match at Moraine Valley, so I think those two will set the tone for the type of season that we will have and I’m excited to see the team step up and fight in those matches.”