Following a 2-0 shutout of Pine School in the December finale, St. Ed’s varsity girls soccer team was 2-6 before taking an extended holiday break. This week the Pirates ushered in 2019 by celebrating Senior Night on Tuesday. Afterwards there will be plenty of road work ahead with only one more home match remaining on the schedule.
For fifth-year head coach Jaclyn Mohr, the flip of the calendar revealed some unfamiliar territory. Her previous four teams were 43-14-3 with the 2016-17 squad capturing a district championship. Nevertheless, she was aware that this temporary downturn might be coming – and she adjusted her coaching style accordingly.
“We lost eight or nine players from last year, including six or seven starters,” Mohr explained. “So we knew at the end of last year that this was going to be a process of rebuilding. This year we have nine freshmen. We are very underclassmen heavy, which is good for the program, but we expected to have a tough year.”
The coaching staff consisting of Jaclyn Mohr, her husband Scott Mohr, and Sam Borkovic indeed has a project to deal with. The team scored only two goals in the six defeats, making putting the ball into the net a top priority. Further, of 12 total goals on the board thus far, eight came in one blowout win.
“We are struggling in the scoring aspect,” Mohr said. “Seniors Elizabeth Zoltak and Kira Zudans were in the middle of our offense last year, but they are doing a lot right now by helping to control the game and maintain possession. That makes it difficult for them to get the opportunities to shoot because they are working hard to cover offensive and defensive positions for younger players unsure of what they are supposed to be doing.
“The coaching is challenging and has totally changed from last year when we were competing for a district title. This year some girls are just learning the skills necessary to play soccer.
“At the start of the season we had to go back to the basics for the kids who didn’t play middle school or competitive club soccer. We’ve added some multi-sport athletes, which is awesome, but it’s just a different game for us this season.
“Sam Borkovic has been a real asset. She played college soccer and coached higher level teams. She works primarily with our defense and midfield. It’s been amazing to have her out there.”
Senior Lauren Savage has provided a huge measure of stability tending goal, with 45 saves. Zoltak scored five times and assisted on five others. Senior Allie Campione and freshman Emma Fini have two each. Zudans, junior Catalina Pratt and freshman Riley Kesterson had one goal apiece.
“I see us growing and making progress,” Mohr said. “Teaching basic soccer skills took a lot of time in the beginning, but now we are starting to work on formations, possessions and finishing – things that are more advanced from a coaching standpoint.
“We are trying to put everything together to mesh as a unit. All of that is taking us a little bit longer this season.”
Despite some of the obvious differences, there is one remarkable similarity to a year ago. Jaclyn and Scott welcomed daughter Taylor to the world just after the 2017-18 season ended.
“We have the same family situation as last year,” Jaclyn said. “We are expecting a baby in May. Having Taylor has been an amazing life change, but it definitely throws a wrench into scheduling and coaching. Planning is just a little bit harder this year.”
“It does kind of feel like last season,” Scott added. “I think I’ve actually lightened up a little bit in terms of feeling the need to protect. We are not quite on the same schedule because Jaclyn was a little further along last time around.
“The day we told the girls there was a lot of excitement. It was really super fun, like this is a family thing, and it’s bigger than soccer.
“I’m so thankful for the support that the girls and the school have for us. It has been amazing and I wouldn’t change anything about it. I’m just happy, really happy to be a part of this team. It’s been great.”