It’s been a steep learning curve for the Sweet Home girls as the season kicked off with a tough game against
Stayton 6, Sweet Home 0
The girls opened their season against a powerful Stayton squad, which did all its scoring in the first half.
“In the second half, my girls woke up and started playing soccer like they were supposed to,” Coach Ramiro Santana said.
He said the team had communication problems in the first half, particularly with him as they were playing much of the game across the field from him.
In the second half, the Huskies’ passing and communication improved.
“We were a totally different team in the second half, ” Santana said. “Clearly, we turned around and the other team didn’t score in the second half.”
The Huskies had three or four chances to score, he said.
Santana said he is still experimenting with different lineups and said moving Briana Wirth to midfield and Jessie Snow to forward sparked things for the Huskies in the second half against Stayton.
“I’m still figuring out where going to set them,” he said of his players. “The more I see them (in game situations), I’m starting to figure out where to put them.”
He said his team is not being aggressive enough on offense, but they are improving.
“They just don’t shoot,” he said. “They are a little intimidated. But their attitude is changing. They’re slowly coming along.”
He noted that Stayton’s lineup was dominated by seniors, while the Huskies’ roster is dominated by sophomores and freshmen.
“We still have three more years,” he said of his young players.
The girls are playing Tuesday, Sept. 11, at Cascade, then will face North Marion at home on Tuesday, Sept. 18.