FAIRLEA- One thing that will never change under Greenbrier East girls’ soccer coach Mike Dotson is expectations.
Following last season’s 16-4-2 record that finished just one game shy of a state tournament berth and considered one of the best seasons in at least a decade, Doston refuses to lower any goals he or his team may have despite some quality senior personnel losses.
Something that also remains within the team, is excitement.
“Starting the season is always exciting,” the head coach said.
“Each team I’ve coached over the years develops a chemistry, a bond, and its own identity. The first practice is the start of this year’s team’s growth,” he added.
With the graduation of honorable mention all-stater Caroline Dotson, first team all-state selection Ryan White, goalie Grace Boettner, and the consistent KK Long, several returning girls will be asked to step up and keep the program’s momentum going, some of which are freshmen. And that is a task that the coach thinks can be completed with the talent coming back.
“The senior group from last year was small with only four players but they were very impactful to the program. With that, the staff is excited and anxious to watch this year’s returning players take a leadership role. We are also expecting the freshman class to play key positions and make significant contributions,” Dotson stated.
“We have several returning players that we feel will take the next step. Juniors Ava Workman and Kiana McClung to provide the offensive firepower with Avery Thompson (2nd team all-state in 2024) to be the do-it-all defender that she is recognized as throughout the state. However, as a staff we will expect our two seniors, Kennedy Stewart and Trinity Perkins, to take more of a leadership role. We expect them to be a coach on the field. Trinity will coordinate the defense and help bring along a new goalie. Kennedy will bring the toughness, refuse to lose mentality, and intangibles that a coach loves to have,” he said excitedly.
Even with some of that new and changing personnel, Dotson doesn’t really do anything different scheme-wise with his team.
“Philosophy doesn’t change. We want to be a well-disciplined soccer team that plays as one unit. Defend from the front to the back but as a coach, you always have to tweak to match your personnel. I feel like we have overall team speed that we have to utilize this year.”
The Spartans will get a challenge this year from their schedule, which is one of the toughest in the area with a defending state champ and runner-up, but to be the program Dotson wants, the challenge will need to be taken head on, so to speak.
“Our schedule is tough,” he said.
“Defending state champ Washington, runner-up GW, along with Oak Hill, Woodrow Wilson, Jefferson, Mussleman, and Nitro, will all be top teams this year. We also added a successful program, Herbert Hoover, to this year’s schedule. We need to play a tough schedule to develop and prepare us for the postseason runs we want to make annually,” he continued.
There are several people who believe this is the year that the Lady Spartans may have the opportunity to clear a hurdle and get to the state tournament, so keeping the team focused on the task at hand should be relatively easy according to Dotson.
“With soccer going to three classes this year and the program not having Woodrow, GW and Oak Hill to go through to get to states, many believe we have a good chance to make it to states. However, many of the best teams in the state last year will be in our class. Nitro, Herbert Hoover, East Fairmont, and Charleston Catholic will be as tough as any year. It will be easy to keep our girls focused on one game at a time,” he stated confidently.
So, with fall practice coming to a close and after the Lady Spartans reeled off two scrimmage victories last weekend, the goals that are set will finally kick off toward completion soon.
“Our goals every year are win sectionals, win regionals, and then finish the season as state champs. We do this by developing and continue as a team throughout the season and hit peak playing in October and finish in November in Beckley at states,” Dotson finished.
The Lady Spartans will open their season at home on Friday, Aug. 22 against the Shady Spring Tigers at 6:00 PM.
