Back To It

 Freshmen GK, Courtney McCoy

Freshmen GK, Zari Haggenmiller

Goalkeeper, the last line of defense and the first line of attack.  Certainly a position that requires a specialization unlike any other on the field.  They have to be good with their hands but also sound with their feet.  The keepers at K are also expected to put in a little bit more time than the field players as they meet with the goalkeeper trainer, Coach Erin Carlson, twice a week, a half hour before the rest of the team reports to practice.  During this time Courtney and Zari work with Erin on the finer points of the position.  From agility and footwork, to stopping shots and handling high balls, the goalkeepers work long and hard to be ready for that split second when they are called into action.  There is no question K is lucky to have both of them between the pipes each day at training and ready to control the box when called upon to play in the game. 

The focus of training today was on transition.  After a quick dribbling warm-up and a game of ball tag the Hornets broke up into two teams.  Midfielders would connect three passes near midfield and then look to play a target player near goal.  After playing the target player the three midfielders would break out and against one marking defender, a recovering defender, and the GK the attackers would look to score.  It took a couple trial runs before the team began to get the hang of it and then the balls began to hit the net.  The activity progressed to adding in another target player and another defender.  Then 5v5 at midfield and once a team connected three passes they could break out playing the targets again.  With lots of repetition of transition the practice would end with a 10v10 almost full field scrimmage. A number of Hornets that have been out with injuries or illness returned to the field and it appears that a full strength team is a very strong possibility for the match on Saturday.  Until then the team will be sure to stay dry, stay warm, and most importantly, stay healthy.

GO HORNETS!!!