By By Thomas Burton / special to The Star
Nov. 10, 2002
Looking to continue last year's success the Northeast girls soccer team will rely on a core group of young players and a new coaching philosophy
Coach Charles Coleman's girls finished 11-2 overall last year. The Trojans won the Division 4 crown. There only two defeats were against Meridian High and George County.
The lost against George County came during the playoffs. The team will be challenged this year to go deeper into the playoffs this year.
Despite losing last year players Katie Bergin and Lisa Needler to Meridian Community College, the Trojans are looking to seniors Shannon Gibbs and goalkeeper Taylor Milling for leadership.
Northeast added 10 new players to the roster. Coach Coleman is very excited about the play of seventh grader Codi Holifield. Holifield will get her chance to shine by backing up Milling at keeper.
Coming off knee surgery will be a challenge for sophomore Ivy Rawson but with the help of Junior Danielle Smith and Freshmen Eliza at midfield things should run smoothly.
Even though the bench consists of mostly young players coach Coleman feels that he has more depth than last year.
Helping coach coach Coleman with strategy are Eric Ferry and Glenn Boothe.
Ferry brings to the table a wealth of experience. While serving the Navy, he took part coaching in Naples, Italy. Once returning to the states Ferry participated in a semi-pro soccer league in Jacksonville, Florida.
Coach Coleman says Eric's drills are fun and his advice presents a new challenge.
One example is the South American style play that the girls will present on the field. This technique involves a counter-attack approach which the girls will use to get the ball up and down the field efficiently.
Coach Boothe is an assistant coach of the football team. He brings a tough hard nosed football appeal. Boothe adds to the equation discipline and that will be a key for the Trojans to battle though main opponents Laurel and Meridian.