Soccer Season is in Full Swing
by Rick Canosa
Soccer season is here, and both the men’s and women’s Howard soccer teams are working hard to come together as a team as they are preparing to play their next match against Northside(3–0 for men and 2–1 for women).
The men made a recovery yesterday against Baldwin winning 2–1 after double overtime. They are now with a record of 1–1, while the girls had a difficult time winning their games (0–2).
While the first games against Peach County, two weeks ago, were disappointing men’s coach Jacob Haygood has told the team to focus on communicating more during the games.
Two weeks ago, the Howard soccer teams played their first games against Peach County High school, both earning a loss but learning a lot about their team in the process.
Women’s coach Madeline Pioli, who is also the assistant coach of the boy’s soccer team, said she expects a lot from all her players and is looking for another successful season after the Howard girls won the district championship.
She is focused on maintaining a sustainable team that will not disappoint.
Pioli, Haygood, and Jones note that one loss does not reflect the outcome for the rest of the season, expressing that the losses need to be a source of motivation and a way to look for improvement.
Pioli’s love of the game is an inspiration to her players. She was a part of the Howard soccer team, graduating in 2014.
She said she wants her players to have close bonds and build relationships with each other like she did at Howard.
“When I was a student here [at] Howard, this team was really close. We’d hang out during school and after school,” she said.
Pioli is working to rebuild the team to where it was years ago when the Howard teams were playoff contenders.
“We’re in the process of rebuilding the program where it was 10 years ago,” she said, hoping to make it to the playoffs once again.
But academics always come first, especially for student athletes.
“I expect them to be student leaders in school and on the field,” Pioli said.
Overall Pioli feels good about the season, she said. With a resurrection of the boys’ soccer team after not having one last year, in addition to the girl’s soccer team major win last year, she said the team has what it takes to make it to the playoffs.
Even though the competition in this region is a little harder than the previous years, Pioli has no doubt that we will see what the team is really made of.
“Our region is a little difficult this year,” with Howard playing Northside, Central, Spaulding, West Laurens, Peach County, and Perry. “We have a lot of competition, so we will definitely get to see them in play,” Pioli said.
Pioli, Haygood, and Jones have high hopes about the season.
Remember to give our Howard Soccer Team your fullest support!
