Douglas High senior captain Reese Ballingham dribbles during the Tigers’ 2-1 win over McQueen last week.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
Douglas High girls soccer is under new leadership this fall as Greg Crescimanno has taken control of the program.
The Tigers have had three looks at their new product, going 2-1, but will face a few more tests before jumping into Class 4A North league play at Bishop Manogue on Sept. 17.
After a 4-12-5 record last fall, Crescimanno’s initial focus is on being competitive.
“Our goal here is to be competitive in every single match,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we will win every game but we need to be competitive in every single one. We should have a chance to grab a victory every single time we step on the field.”
ON THE FIELD
Douglas will feature a formation that has a bit of a transition element. The Tigers will have two attackers up top and three set defensive players, but the midfield expects to be a crucial piece on offense and defense.
“We are playing three in the back and then a defensive center mid. So its really kind of four but also three,” Crescimanno said. “We try to transition that. When we are playing defense, we have four in the back. When we transition to offense, it’s three in the back and we have that extra player going forward in that center midfield position.”
The Tigers’ back line will center around Whitney Walters, a senior captain. Walters scored Douglas’ goal against Reno on Thursday.
Danikka Briscoe, Peyton McGuffin and Maggie Polkow are three other names Tiger fans can expect to see anchoring the defensive line.
Behind them will be senior goalkeeper Nina Velez.
In the midfield, senior Reese Ballingham is another team captain. Ballingham buried a goal in Douglas’ 2-1 win over McQueen on Aug. 27.
Zoe Brugger, Kaylee Bradford and Morgan Davis are three other returnees. Bradford and Davis each tallied multiple goals for Douglas last season.
Davis was also selected as a honorable mention all-region player in the midfield last fall.
Up front, freshman Bryani Ono has scored in two games.
“Those are some things to look out for this year: We will see how our freshman develop and how are seniors can lead,” Crescimanno said.
Katelyn Coons returns for her junior season and has also tallied a goal.
Madi Litka has seen time up front as well.
The Tigers league expectations are tough to define with only three games played.
“We had two really good results to start the season,” Crescimanno said. “We’ve been able to learn both when we win and when we lose. The important thing is we need to maintain our shape defensively and having that support offensively.”
Crescimanno said he hopes the community can continue to support the black and orange.
“I hope everyone in the community comes out to support us,” he said. “The support gives us energy.”
(Douglas High’s Whitney Walters smiles in celebration after scoring a goal against Reno last Thursday. / Ron Harpin)