Fallon girls soccer coach Kelly Spicer, left, watches as senior Monica Mills, right, outlines a drill with Haley Sanches during Monday's practice.
A youth revolution has taken over the Fallon girls soccer team.
The Lady Wave boast nine sophomores going into the 2013 season opener Sept. 4 against Incline.
As a result, the six seniors and two juniors must take the youngsters under their wing if Fallon has any hope of making a serious postseason run. The Lady Wave get their chance this weekend at a preseason tournament in Spring Creek.
It also gives second-year coach Kelly Spicer and opportunity to determine his starting lineup. Not to mention, many sophomores will experience their first varsity match and realize the step up in speed, skill and physical play.
“Initally the first couple games will be a shock,” Spicer said of his youngsters. “They will have to understand the speed of the game is different at the varsity level and it will be more intense.”
Who Spicer does not have to worry about, though, are seniors Maddie Alegre, Monica Mills and Sam Burton. The three experienced veterans must lead on the pitch and push the newcomers, he said.
“We have two or three young girls who will make a difference,” Spicer said
Fallon, though, will be without a familiar face as Elena Murray opted to run cross country, which leaves the Lady Wave without a three-year starter. Nevertheless, Spicer said his club is ready to battle the league’s best for the chance to play for a state title.
Chemistry, though, crumbled throughout last season, which Spicer said was unfortunate. Fallon netted a 9-2 record in the Humboldt League but was crushed 5-0 by Elko in the regional tournament.
Spicer said he will take a more abrasive approach this season, giving playing time to those who earn it and block the outside noise.
“One thing I learned is that I am the coach and you can’t make everybody happy,” he added. “The whole concept is that we all have to be on the same page.”
On the field, meanwhile, the sophomore class runs deep with potential. The key is to have the potential blossom throughout the season.
Mayzie Jones and Macy Myers, Spicer said, will help provide a boost to the offense, although the skill and experience of Mills and Alegre provide the biggest threat.
Myers provides a versatile skill set, and can play any position, Spicer said. Joining Jones and Myers are fellow sophomores Kayla Biggs, Britney Wallace, junior twins Megan and Jordin Warner and senior Rachel Harrell.
“We are very, very young,” Spicer said. “The Warner sisters are the ones I’m really looking forward to stepping up because this is their second year of varsity.”
Like the boys, the girls will compete in one league against all Northern Division I-A schools. The reduction in lopsided matches is a benefit, Spicer said.
“It makes you play harder,” he added. “I got tired … of scoring 10 goals. Over the last three years we’ve been blowing teams out, now we got to work a little harder.”