As winter sports near the end of their seasons, spring sports teams begin to prepare. For the past few weeks, the De Soto High School girls’ soccer team has been holding after-school conditioning. 

“I’m excited to see the new players and to see how far we will go as a team,” said junior and varsity player Riley Padden.

All of the girls are excited about the new season. Each one has lofty goals for their performance, ranging from doing well on the field to forming long-lasting bonds with their teammates. 

“We have to have a sort of unwritten language on the field so knowing my teammates is a major goal of mine,” Padden said.

Padden has been playing soccer ever since she could walk and hopes to get a D2 scholarship for college. This season she wants to get to know her new teammates so they feel comfortable asking each other questions. For Padden,  the teamwork aspect of soccer is one of her favorite parts.

Overall, the team has its own goals as well. Head coach Jesse Smith wants to see the girls do well and fill the trophy case with as many plaques and trophies as they can. 

“Aside from the hardware, we want to have a season that the girls and coaches will look back on and be proud of,” Smith said. 

Smith is confident that his team can pull off an amazing season. He is proud of both the girls who will be playing and the support the team receives from parents and fans.

“I think putting 11 quality players on the field will be extremely easy. Having fun will be easy too,” Smith said.