With hockey and basketball coming to an end within the next couple of weeks, Notre Dame girls have been preparing for their upcoming soccer season.

Head coach Bob Rickards says the girls prepare in different ways.

“Some play other sports while others choose camps or league play,” he said.

Rickards says he really likes the number of players this year that have done athletic sport specific training on their own.

“This improves overall speed and strength for the player which in turn helps the team,” he said. “We should see some major improvements in overall quickness and agility.”

Although Rickards is predicting improvements, he also knows his team needs to do a better job of creating scoring opportunities.

“Last year defensively we were very strong but struggled with scoring. We have to create an atmosphere where anyone is a threat to score,” he said.

He also recognizes that teamwork and finishes are crucial.

“We can’t just rely on one or two players to do all the scoring for our team. We [also] have to finish those opportunities that we create during the flow of the game.”

The first games of the season are scheduled for the weekend of April 4^th with a trip to Madison and Milwaukee, but Rickards says that as of now those games look shaky. However, the girls return the following week with some games, hopefully played at home, depending on the weather.

Rickards has his eyes on another state appearance for the program.

“We should always challenge for conference and be ranked in the top five for division three. I would like our scoring output to increase while maintaining a very stingy defense,” he said. “I hope that this results in another state appearance.”

Senior Kristin Tomcheck lists more goals for the team.

“Our goals are to win state, go undefeated in conference and never lose a home game,” she said.

Tomcheck, who has played defense for the Tritons all four years of her high school career, has been busy preparing for the upcoming season.

“I’ve played club season in summer and fall, which involved tournaments on weekends. Then I attended soccer practices twice a week, workouts twice a week at House of Speed, and soccer open gyms,” she said.

The upcoming season will be bittersweet for Tomcheck.

“I’m very excited for the season to begin, but I’m a little sad because it is my last season,” she said. “I want it to be successful.”

Senior Jacque Staed has goals that lead all the way to a state championship.

“I would say the goals would be to win conference, regionals, sectionals and to bring home the gold ball,” she said.

Staed is also looking forward to the upcoming season.

“I believe that we will have another great team this year,” she said. “I’m confident in every single player.”

Rickards, who also coaches Boys Varsity Soccer at NDA, says the big difference between the guys and girls he coaches is speed of play.

“Girls are more methodical in their attacks and build up. Boys rely on speed and physical play for their attacks,” he said. “Each is a different style to coach that requires me to stay one step ahead. I enjoy the contrast between the two and find myself always looking forward to the next season.”

Rickards said that the schedule this season is one of the toughest scheduled to date, but that the team plans to be very competitive.

“Please come out and support the girls as they begin the ‘Quest for the gold ball!’” he said.