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WEB EXCLUSIVE: Times they are a changing: East begins new season with new district, new coach
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@starlocalnews.com
First-year Plano East girls soccer head coach Eric Smith, who came to the Lady Panthers after previously coaching at Richardson, was quick to state that, "teams don't necessarily show their entire hands during tournaments."
That being said, East showed plenty in Friday's 3-1 victory over Rowlett at the Plano Tournament of Champions.
"This is the first time I've had a team that's beaten Rowlett," Smith said. "It was a really good match and the girls played the way I expect them to every match. They knew exactly what we wanted to accomplish and they were working together; if we do that every match, we'll be just fine."
"Yeah, our first week wasn't exactly what we were hoping for," Smith said.
Taking part in the Dr Pink Invitational (Jan. 10-12), East started at 1-3 with a victory over Frisco Heritage (2-1) and losses to Wichita Falls Rider (2-0), McKinney North (2-0) and Frisco (1-0).
East's lone loss in Plano's tournament came Jan. 17 versus Frisco Centennial (5-0).
"We had sort of a challenging start there," Smith said. "But Centennial is a really good side."
Friday and Saturday belonged to the Lady Panthers on the pitch with victories against The Colony (1-0), Rowlett and Plano's JV (3-0) to finish the event 3-1. The cost of those wins was high though as East lost multiple midfielders to injury.
"That's one of the reasons I communicate to the team that everyone needs the opportunity to be on the field at some point," Smith said. "That way they are prepared to play when the opportunity presents itself."
That philosophy will hold forth when East opens play today at the Lewisville Cup. The Lady Panthers have senior Alexis Alba back between the pipes, but will bring up freshman Laurel Stefani for the tournament so she can gain experience. Alba and Stefani will play behind a defense that features senior Marissa Hughes and junior Lauren Leto as the marking backs with senior Kelsey Peterson at sweeper.
Look for further variety in the midfield this week due to the team's injuries.
"Yeah, we're having to shuffle a bit," Smith said.
Once at full strength, East is expected to rely heavily on seniors Maddie Pitcock, Abby Canny and freshman Natalie Newell in the midfield. Pitcock (two goals, three assists) and Newell (two goals, two assists) have been the team's primary source of offense along with senior forward Abby Bailey (two goals, three assists).
"Those three have really been our core as far as scoring goes," Smith said.
Bailey will play at forward, as could senior Katie Howard.
"Katie has done some work in the back for us too," Smith said. "But I really like her powerful shot and I think it will be good for us to use her up top."
The more shots the better as scoring has been at a premium for East the past two seasons. While compiling a 3-24-1 record the past two seasons in District 8-5A, the Lady Panthers scored just 19 goals in those 28 matches. That total will have to go up if the team hopes to advance out of a district that includes Plano West, Plano Senior, Allen, McKinney and McKinney Boyd.
"It will be a challenging district for sure," Smith said. "But that's for everyone, not just us. I don't think any team can walk in and say they have any match before stepping onto the field."
East last made the playoffs in 2009.
"I think that is a realistic goal for us this season," Smith said. "Ultimately the girls are the ones who have to go out there and make it happen, but I like the direction we're heading."
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