By Tamas Mondovics
It is safe to say that the first half of the 2015-2016 athletic season at Newsome High School has so far managed to produce an average record of team and individual success.
It is also a fact that there is nothing average about the Wolves entire soccer program, which for the past several seasons has consistently stood out demonstrating strength by its talented players led by a great coaching staff.
Ranked at number 23 nationally and number 11 statewide, on maxpreps.com, the Lady Wolves managed to defeat the Plant City Raiders 5-0 in the regular season’s final Class 5A District 6 match.
Coupled with a 4-0 non conference game victory over Wharton two days later, the girls, led by program Head Coach Kelly Townsend, posted a 12-2-3 overall and a 3-0-2 district record just before pausing for the winter holiday break.
Following the girls win against Plant City and looking forward to the district playoffs scheduled for the week of January 11-16 at East Bay High, Townsend put things and her team’s success in perspective.
“Nothing is a given,” she said. “We have replaced nine starters this year so, as a new team, we lack experience.”
Townsend also acknowledged one specific weakness, which she is focusing on to remedy when she said, “We dominate each game, but we have to learn how to finish.”
A case in point was the Wolves match against the Raiders, a game that produced plenty of chances to score, but posted a scoreless first half.
Following a halftime pause, Newsome returned with renewed strength scoring five goals; two by senior Lindsey Eaton and three goals by freshmen Sophie Shrader.
“Coach was tough on us at half time,” Shrader said as she commented on the game’s strong finish.
While the girls are looking forward to the upcoming district playoffs with confidence, season success seems to be favoring the Wolves boys team as well.
Led by Allen Ware the team took its winter break with an overall 11-0-2, district 4-0-1 record, According to ranked 18th nationally and eighth statewide.
“We got a good record so far and the kids are playing hard,” Ware said just moments prior to welcoming district rival Plant City.
The game was a great display of talent and love of the sport on the part opt both programs ending in a 2-2 tie.
By leading the conference lineup the team is also looking forward its district tourney, scheduled for the week of January 18-23.
For more information about Newsome Soccer, visit www.maxpreps.com or www.FHSAA.org. or c2cschools.com.
