Although the girls’ soccer team has hit a rough patch in only the first few days of the season, the team still has high expectation and the intentions to win big this year. The NWN talked to head coach Brett Clish to discuss the season, the team’s goals, and the MVPs this year.

Clish: The team is currently 0-3.  We have been playing some tough teams.  We lost to Deerfield, Glenbrook North, and New Trier.  We have a lot of starters returning from last year’s team (which ended the season with a record of 9-12-3).  The girls have been working really hard and giving a good effort every day.

NWN: What are some goals that the girls are hoping to meet this season?

Clish: The team would like to finish in the top half in conference. We would like to have double-digit wins. We would like to win a regional [title].

NWN: How has the team improved since last year?

Clish: The team has improved from the last year by having a good amount of the girls play club in the off-season. This has helped them to improve on their skill and conditioning.

NWN: What are some important games in the season?

Clish: Every game is important. I don’t feel that any game is any more important than the next. We need to go out and play our best every game.

NWN: Is there anything about the team that you would like to improve?

Clish: We would always like to improve our scoring chances, but we also need to work on our team defense as well.

NWN: This year, it is said that there has been a twenty-percent decrease in the number of players this season compared to last season. How will that affect everything in the long run and how do you hope to resolve the issue?

Clish: The numbers may be down some, but we picked up better players in the long run. I am not concerned with numbers as much as I am concerned with the talent and dedication of the girls that we currently have. The girls that are here in the program want to work hard and do what they need to do in order to improve their skills and win. I don’t feel that this is an issue because there will always be enough girls that are willing to do the extra work and want to play. There will be some good players coming to play here in the next few years that have been playing with the feeder system teams and these girls are ages 11-14 years old and dedicated.

NWN: Who are the top team contributors this year?

Clish: The top contributors for the team have been freshmen Vicki Tirovolas and Veronika Sostaric, juniors Molly Kleppin and Michelle Karp, and seniors Maggie Swanson, Nicole Ostro, Liz Troyk, Heather Koder, and Jackie Cardenas.

The girls take on Maine South at home on Tuesday at 4:45.