By Ryker Burr
For The New Era
After posting their first victory in two years the week before, Sweet Home’s girls soccer team lost a close one at home against Junction City, handing the Tigers their first win on the year, 1-0. Sweet Home’s next game didn’t go their way either, as the Huskies were mercy-ruled 0-9 by league leader Philomath before halftime.
Head Coach Ramiro Santana emphasized where he wants his team to improve: “The only way to bounce back is to practice. We have to have more energy and communication between us players. Overall, we need to fight and want the ball more and shoot more goals if we want to score.”
However Santana, who has headed the program since 2007, remains confident.
“We can bounce back,” he said. “This team doesn’t give up. We’ll continue to believe we can bounce back.”
Injuries have certainly hampered the Huskies, as team captains Lyndie Birkett and Anabelle Morris are still banged up. Birkett is the team’s goalkeeper, and Morris leads the team in goals. Sophomore Reece Parker remains injured as well.
“I hope we get everyone back soon,” said Santana.
While Sweet Home was 1-5 coming into this week, plenty of improvement has been shown.
It’s important to remember Santana’s words before the season: “Once this team gets to know who they are, they’ll be very strong…We’re set up to have success for a long time.”
They appear to be improving every week.
Sweet Home is looking to capture its second win of the season at 6:30 pm, Tuesday, Oct. 2, hosting Newport (0-1, 3-2 coming into this week). Then two days later at 4 p.m., the Green and Gold will travel to North Marion/St. Paul, which started this week 1-0, 1-5.