Joe Asadi knows there’s no secret coaches formula to make players mature faster.
The Heritage Academy soccer coach also realizes Hollywood is the only place where one can become two and two can become four simply by adding water.
As much as Asadi would love to have a squad with more than three healthy seniors and a bigger group than 12, he understands his current group is making the most out of its situation and is paving the way for a bright future.
In a season filled with plenty of challenges, Heritage Academy relished a chance for a respite Tuesday afternoon, scoring five goals in the first half en route to an 11-0 victory against Immanuel Christian School at the Columbus Soccer Complex.
Hayley Barker had four goals, Margaret LeBrun and Emmie Waits added two goals apiece, and Roya Asadi, Katy Whitman, and Abby Whitman also scored to help the Lady Patriots improve to 2-3.
“They had fun,” Asadi said. “They passed the ball. Not as good as we should. Everyone was rushing to score. I wanted everyone to pass the ball and we can improve on that a whole lot. If we can pass the ball around and keep possession against a bigger team, if you have possession they can’t come and beat you because you don’t let them If you give them the possession, that is how score on you and you are going to lose the game.”
Heritage Academy has been on the other side of double-digit losses this season. It also has experienced the unlucky side of soccer in a 1-0 victory against Magnolia Heights in which it missed to many scoring chances, according to Asadi. As difficult as it has been to navigate the ups and downs, Asadi likes the potential of his squad. Things will be tougher next season without seniors Katy Whitman, his daughter, Roya, LeBrun, a first-year player, and Rachel Stukenborg, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the third match of the season, but Asadi is focused on building the numbers in the program and continuing the building process.
“Skill wise, they are doing perfect for their age,” said Asadi, who also coaches the school’s boys soccer team. “In high school, you have to deal with the bigger, tougher crowd and girls and then we will start learning the challenge of playing at this level.”
Asadi said his team has been in every match in the first 20 minutes, but he said the team’s lack of depth has caused his players to lose fuel in the second half. He also said the three losses before Tuesday’s match left a bad taste in the players’ mouth and affected their confidence. he was pleased to see the Lady Patriots pass the ball and continue to attack, even though he didn’t want to score as many goals as the team did.
“They are growing,” Asadi said. “We have to grow up physically, but skill wise I think they have what it takes to be a soccer player in the girls division.
“I can’t rush them. You have to wait. You would be amazed ow much a player’s size can change after one year. If they hang together, hopefully we will have better recruiting. … If we can get a little bit of depth, those kids playing together will be a whole lot better next year. I see a good future on the team. It is just keeping them together.”
Volleyball
n New Hope 3, Heritage Academy 2: At Columbus, Silvia Sartoria had 31 kills to lead the Lady Trojans past the Lady Patriots in the back-and-forth affair. Set scores were 21-25, 25-22 25-16, 18-25, 16-14.
The victory helped New Hope improve to 3-0.
New Hope will play host to Starkville at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
In the junior varsity match, New Hope earned a 2-0 victory. Set scores were 25-21, 25-20.
n Caledonia 3, Aberdeen 0: Elisha Collins had seven kills, one assist, and six aces to lead the Lady Confederates to their district victory. Set scores were 25-13, 25-17, 25-19.
Morgan Smith had eight assists and two kills, Elisabeth Shepherd had two assists, Kacy Lovett had one kill and one ace, Maegen Stewart had one assist and three aces, Cassie Obman had one kill, Cheyenne Ruth had one kill and one ace, Bailie Cross had five aces, and Savannah Thomas had one ace.
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.