New-look Hawks have confidence

HOUSTON - With a new confidence brewing a more competitive team, the Houston Hawks girls soccer program may turn some heads this year as the small school goes into the season bursting with difficult 4A competition.

Were probably going to be a different team this year, assistant soccer coach Chuck Payon said. Most of the girls have improved on their touches this year.

Houston captain Stephanie Smith will be keeping the Lady Hawks in line.

Telling an aggressive team to be patient might be a challenge, but with the right leadership, a successful season is a realistic goal.

We have an aggressive team that likes to lunge at the ball, Payon said. On the upside though, they fight for the ball constantly. They are getting confident on their shots and Im teaching them how to be more patient and to run to the open areas.

Last year we only won one or two games, so we definitely will improve this year.

Lindy Russell and Carrie Alderman will also be part of the Hawks offensive contingent. On defense, Brittany Laplare will be the player to watch. She will be defending the Hawks defensive zone as a fullback or possibly even a goalie.

Linnea Pudwill, who will also be running track, is a speedy forward who will rely on the prowess of ball handlers Smith and Russell for her scoring opportunities.

The Houston boys will benefit by fielding basketball stars Jeff Huston and Craig Ulrich, who are already conditioned for the vigorous sport. As last years leading scorer for the Hawks soccer team, Ulrich will be looked upon to supply his team with leadership, on and off the field.

Our goal is to make the Region III tournament, boys soccer coach Aaron Tanner said. We have five or six very talented players that will be our leaders. After that, our players will have to learn on the go. We have six guys who have never played before.

Bodie Orman, Adam Thornton and Mike Bennett will round out the core of Houstons leadership.

We have an older team and hopefully a smarter team, Tanner said. I expect Jeff to run the middle of the field and be a ball distributor to the forwards. Bodie holds the most key position as our goaltender. All I ask of him is to be consistent.

Thornton will work the mid-field defensive zone. He will be asked to throw his body down in front of the Valleys big offensive forwards and, along with Barrett, protect their goalkeeper and play solid defense.

A successful Houston soccer season may be decided on the bench. Competition from deep Valley teams bursting with experienced comp players will provide incentive for Hawks backups to persevere.

My subs are going to have to suck it up big, Tanner said. Thats where the learning process is. They have to be able to come in and give my starters a break.

I just hope we can learn and grow as a team and that my players give the best they have to give.