STLCC Lady Archers look to start 2014-15 season off on the right foot
By: SPENCER GLEASON
Editor in Chief
The 2014-15 Lady Archers soccer team was suppose to kick off their season on Aug. 26 against the Lewis and Clark Trailblazers. However, the game was cancelled due to excessiv heat.
After back-to-back National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) appearances and Region XVI Titles, the 2014-15 year has the Lady Archers playing for a three-peat.
The 2014 season will also see a fresh face calling the shots.
Erin Hesselbach was named head women’s soccer coach in late May 2014, following Juergen Huettner’s resignation in April 2014 to take the head coaching position at Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC). The 2014 season will be Hesselbach first year at the collegiate level since 2006.
Hesselbach was the assistant coach at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis through the 2006 season. She was the head coach for the Incarnate Word Red Knights the past four seasons.
“[I’m] really happy with all of their progress,” Hesselbach said of the Lady Archers following practice on Aug. 19. “Looking back at the past two weeks, we’ve made huge strides. They’re learning a lot, which is great. I’m really happy with where we are at right now.”
Although the new season will only see one returning player from last year’s 15-7-2 team, in Hannah Wisnewski, Hesselbach said the 17-girl squad will depend on their three sophomores to lead the team both on and off the field.
“Unfortunately, we’re still a real young and an inexperienced team, with not many returners coming back,” Hesselbach said. “Our sophomores just give us leadership as far as the ins and outs of being a little bit older and on campus and helping out with decisions.”
STLCC will play six of their first nine games on their home turf, at STLCC-Meramec. Their final eight games will see the Lady Archers travel six times.
In the NJCAA Division I Preseason Poll that was released on Aug. 13, STLCC was ranked No. 11. The first regular season poll will be released on Sept. 10. The Lady Archers will be four games into the season by then.
“We’re all learning together and this is just a new year,” Hesselbach said. “We’re all coming together as one program right now.”
Despite what the polls say, Hasselbach said she is realistic about what the future may hold in her first season. As for now, Hasselbach said that the team chemistry is as good as can be expected.
“I’m sure there will be some bumps along the road, just as far as players getting used to me and me getting used to them in the game day situations and decisions,” Hesselbach said. “So far I think it’s been pretty smooth. They’re reacting pretty well to myself and my assistant. They’re working hard and they’re a fun group of girls. Right now, everything is as smooth as can be.”
