Page 13 - Copyright 2013 - Pamplin Media Group
Basic HTML Version
The Spotlight, August 30, 2013
Fall Sports Preview
B13
Locally owned and operated
Lic-Bond-Ins DEQ#38835
Blue Heron Septic and
Drain Service
Call us, we can help!
24 hr emergency service!
Septic Tank Pumping, Drain Cleaning/Snaking, Lid Uncover,
Inspections, Locates, In-Line Pipe Scope/Camera Inspection
100% Environmentally
Friendly!
503-396-5087
Spencer Deschamps
President, OR St. Cert.
Journeyman Pipefitter
• Flood Control Pumping
• Same Day Service Available
• Locate & Uncover Tanks
• Storm Drain & Catch Basin
We Know Flow - Call Us, We Can Help!
Coach likes what he is seeing in Lady Lions soccer team
By JOHN WILLIAM HOWARD
The Spotlight
Progress is the name of the
game in St. Helens, where girls
soccer coach Simon Date is begin-
ning to really like what he sees.
Last year’s “dynamite” freshman
group has a season under their
belts, and the young core in com-
bination with last season’s run at
the playoffs may mean good things
are in store for a long forgotten
program.
“This team had been pounded
for so long that the expectation, es-
pecially with the seniors, was ‘Oh
well, let’s just get through this,’”
said Date, now in his second sea-
son as head coach of the Lady Li-
ons. “We even coined this phrase
‘lose by less’. We’ll still lose, but by
less this year ‘cause that’ll be bet-
ter. I’m like ‘No, that’s crap, we’re
not doing that.’”
The Lions steadily improved
with each game as the season went
on, eventually beginning to score
goals and win games on their way
to a 7-2-5 finish, something Date
said came as a welcome relief.
“This season it’ll be on the flip
side of that, and that’s the way I’d
like it,” said Date, adding that the
expectations were to eclipse what
the team was able to accomplish
last year and “win all our games.”
The challenge, then, is to make
sure the team stays grounded and
the goals realistic.
“Last year I relied a lot on the
status quo. I brought a different
style of coaching, but being the
new guy, I didn’t want to come in
and rock the boat with something
crazy,” said Date, “and it’s not like
we’re rocking the boat this year,
but I think based on the year we
had last time and where I want to
go this year... it’s not just about
‘Hey, we won more games’ or ‘We
lost by less.’ It’s about ‘we need to
win now, and we need to do it the
right way.”
The goal for the team this year is
to make the playoffs, something St.
Helens narrowly missed last fall af-
ter finishing fifth in league. Date
wants to finish in the top half of the
league, something he sees as at-
tainable with how far the team has
come, but it won’t happen without
effort.
“Now it’s pressure. Now we’re
not just little old St. Helens that
anyone can just kick around,” said
Date. “We’re not a state force, but
people won’t take us as a joke any-
more.”
The Lions graduated seven se-
niors from last year’s team, but had
a squad loaded with freshmen tal-
ent that is mostly back for this sea-
son. Returning seniors include Ki-
wi Huff and this year’s co-captain
Stevie Strawn. Seniors on varsity
also include Patricia Galvin and
Amber Moorhead.
Varsity’s only returning junior is
co-captain Sydney Nett, and she is
joined by junior Kristan Collins.
The Lions’ Lydia Reardon, Ashley
Giesbers, Gabby Hora and Nicole
Hamilton make up the large class
of returning sophomores, in addi-
tion to co-captain Genesis Hansen,
Athena Duggan and Mara Buchco.
St. Helens will kick off their sea-
son at home against Aloha Sept. 3.
Good things could be in
store for St. Helens girls
soccer program this year
Quick Notes:
•Coach Simon Date wants to improve
on last year’s breakthrough season.
•The squad had a number of
freshman last year, that are now
seasoned sophomores.
•Lady Lions looking to finish in the
top half of a very competitive league.
•Season begins against Aloha.
SPOTLIGHT FILE PHOTO: JOHN BREWINGTON
SIMON DATE
St. Helens Girls Soccer Coach
ASHLEY GIESBERS
