The Holtville girls soccer team sees a familiar face in the first round of the AHSAA Class 5A soccer playoffs in Marbury. However, this time they are facing a different team.
The Bulldogs are on a hot streak as of late, winning seven of their last eight games — crossing the three goal threshold in four of those games. Even so, the opposing Bulldogs have bested Holtville in two games earlier in the season pitching a shutout in both.
Head coach John Stark knows what is to be expected from Marbury, which will play a factor into how they prepare for Friday.
“It helps us evaluate what we need to do,” Stark said. “That's really where our focus is. Marbury is going to be good, they're outstanding soccer players, very athletic, and we know that's what they're going to bring to the field. We've got to focus on what we do and how we're going to approach that game.”
Fundamentals are going to be a major emphasis this week, according to Stark. The key will be in their touches to avoid giving Marbury any opportunity to hold momentum.
“We just want to stay in front of the ball,” Stark said. “We want to find good passes. Really, it's going to come down to those one or two touches that may go the wrong way and give the other team a break. So we're just really trying to nail down our fundamentals.”
Of course fundamentals are key for any team, but it’ll all be for not if Holtville does not play as a cohesive unit. It’s going to take all 11 girls on the field working in unison to pull away with victory with Stark hinting at his defense to step up to the challenge Mabury presents.
“It's going to come down to all 11 on the field,” Stark said. “Our defense has been extremely solid the last few games, especially last month. Grace White, Anna Stark, Evelyn Malpica
and Kinslee Jackson, they've all been stellar. We're gonna be looking for Savannah Scott, Grace Hatchett and Katie Stark in the midfield to try to help us control the game.”
Stark also mentioned his forwards Hailey Phelps, Liberty Troglen and Isabel Searcy to also play a role in the Bulldogs offensive attack.
The first round of the playoff will be at Marbury this Friday at 6:30 p.m.
