Michael Pineda
A preseason of anticipation came to an end Monday. Now its time for the reality of a new season of soccer.
To characterize new coach Dalydia Gay’s job as rebuilding would be charitable as the Lady Demons have not enjoyed much success through its short history. Instead, Gay will go about building a program and that means the process will be as much mental as it will be physical.
“I’m excited, but again, I am just kind of anxious to get it going,” Gay said. “I have all these ideas about what I want to do and what I can do. I’m just ready to get it going.
“I need them to catch on with my concept on the type of formation we are going to run. If we can run a 4-4-2 right, we will be pretty competitive. It will just take time. Hopefully, they have enough soccer knowledge. I want them to use the width of the field as much as possible and I want them to switch sides often.”
The first day of practice was mostly an introduction session with expectations and maintenance issues being the noteworthy subject. Gay has 30 out for soccer with a couple more expected to join the team once basketball lets out.
Workouts are the main order of the preseason with a round-robin scrimmage scheduled for Feb. 15 in Lawton which will serve as the first time the Duncan side gets a look at unfamiliar competition on the pitch. The first game of the season will be March 12 against Lawton High.
Gay does not plan on wasting time in getting prepared for those tests which lie ahead.
“Honestly, we will start working out tomorrow,” Gay said. “We have to get in shape and we are going to start with fundamentals. We are going to work on ballhandling and foot skills. I am going to teach them soccer I am going to explain what we are doing and why we are doing it so that they will understand it. There will be as much board work as physical work. I want them to see it, hear it and do it. All of it.
“We kind of had a fun game before the Christmas break and I saw that they have some skills, they just haven’t touched the ball in a while. They have the desire and I can handle that. They actually care.”
— Michael Pineda is the sports editor for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 143, or via e-mail at m.pineda@duncanbanner.com.
