Lady Generals starting to see hard work and perseverance payoff
The Lady Generals middle school club soccer team is open to Ridgewood students in sixth through eighth grade and is now in its fifth year. The team has struggled to pick up victories over the years, but they are starting to see their hard work pay off. Contributed | Beacon
WEST LAFAYETTE – The Ridgewood Middle School girls’ soccer team has struggled to pick up victories over the years, but they are starting to see their hard work pay off.
“Last year we got our first win in three years and we were all so happy, but we knew we couldn’t take our foot off the gas,” said Amanda Schwartz, one of the eighth graders on the team.
The Lady Generals middle school club soccer team is open to Ridgewood students in sixth through eighth grade. This is the team’s fifth year and after several years of hard work they picked up their first win in tournament action in 2016. So far this season (as of Sept. 19) they have two victories under their belts.
“All the girls from last year have improved so much and we have some new ones who you would never know haven’t played before,” Schwartz said.
Assistant Coach Jeff Eveland said there are 15 girls on the team and they picked up three more on Sept. 19.
“What they lack in foot skills they make up for in heart and hard work,” he said.
Eighth grader Laney Hostetler has been on the team for three years and said she believes having a bigger team this year has been helpful.
“We have more subs and have gotten more practice in,” she said.
Hostetler’s classmate Emmilia Flores said the girls have been working harder than they have before.
“The harder you work the better you will do,” Flores said.
Eighth grader Tionna Prince just joined the team this year.
“I used to play when I was in kindergarten and loved it,” she said. “Coach asked if I wanted to join the team and I’ve ended up loving it. We’ve developed quite a lot and are much better than our first practice. This is just a great team to be part of.”
They also know how to keep each from getting down when times are tough.
“Allison Blevens gives us speeches that help us stay positive,” said Emily Medina, another eighth grader on the team.
This is Medina’s third year playing soccer for Ridgewood.
“I played SOCCA when I was younger and just enjoy kicking the ball out there and being active,” Medina said.
The team is funded through fundraisers and games are held at Lake Park.
“My advice to the younger girls would be no matter what people tell you, if you enjoy playing a sport, keep playing it,” Schwartz said.
The Lady Generals’ next home games are on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 9 and 10 at Lake Park.
“A lot of these girls have never been a part of a team before. They may have been on a team but here they are all a part of it,” said Head Coach Tim Tubbs. “It’s very rewarding to see their faces when that light bulb finally turns on.”
