First-year Sirens learning to be team

By BOB VARMETTE

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- It's tough being a rookie. It's even tougher when all of your teammates are rookies, too.

It's the first year together for the New Ulm Sirens. As expected, it's been a season of a few ups, quite a few downs, and a lot of learning.

"I think it's going well for a team that has not the experience taking on competitive teams," Sirens coach Steve Schultz said. "We're doing really well. ... The biggest obstacle I would say would be the mental status of the girls when we get out there. It can be overwhelming when you see girls that can really work the ball. They're overcome by that and feel they can't do that."

The Sirens are 1-5-1 with four points in the Southern Division of the U16 Classic 3. They're currently fifth out of six teams in the division.

"It's been really fun, I really enjoy it," said right center forward Alex Harsha, who leads the Sirens with five goals on the season. "But it is difficult when you're playing a lot of teams that have been together for years and play school ball, too."

The 15-year-old Harsha has been playing organized soccer for five years. Defender Martha Pearson, 14, has also been playing five years. Kira Haler, a 15-year-old defender/midfielder, is the veteran of the group; she's been playing for seven years.

"There's a lot of potential here," Haler said. "We just need to work on our ballhandling and our passing. A lot of it's just knowing about your teammates, what they're going to do."

While the Sirens do have a core of players who have experience, there are also a group of players who have little experience. And this is the first season they've all played together competitively.

"They're learning," Schultz said. "The fundamentals are the probably one of the first things you need to work on. I think strategy is a very important thing, but without the fundamentals, strategy is not going to be very good."

Said Laura Windschitl, a 15-year-old defender/midfielder: "We're starting to learn how to work together as a team. We're learning to play better as a team, like a team that has been together."

The Sirens get to see those teams that have played together almost every time they take the field. And while it can be intimidating, the Sirens realize that's part of being a first-year program.

"Some of them have been together forever," Pearson said. "They have that experience with each other. They're better at communication and they just know the game better."

The Albert Lea Tigers (4-0-0) and La Crosse (Wis.) United (4-1-0) currently top the division standings with 12 points. The Lakeville Panthers (3-2-0) are in third place with nine points.

Farmington, who the Sirens tied 3-3 Monday night in New Ulm, are in fourth place with seven points.

New Ulm started the 2002 season with a 5-2 loss at Farmington. The Sirens then dropped a pair of home games -- 3-1 to La Crosse United and 4-1 to Lakeville.

Five days after the defeat to Lakeville, the Sirens got their first win -- a 5-2 win over Dakota. The Sirens then dropped a 10-0 decision to top-of-the-table Albert Lea, but rebounded five days later to tie Farmington in New Ulm.

Thursday, the Sirens fell again to La Crosse United 4-0.

"They have good days where they play wonderfully as a team," Schultz said. "And there's the days that we lose that everybody is running around ... or something's going on out there, and there's miscommunication. Basically, what teams go through, you get the good days and the bad days."

Harsha leads the team with five goals. Kathryn Develder has three goals -- all three in the Sirens' 3-3 tie with Farmington.

Hanna Schoof and Valerie Steffl each have two goals for the Sirens. Pamela Filzen and Kate Make each have one.

Schultz, who agreed to coach the Sirens following the team's formation by the New Ulm Area Youth Soccer Association, knew coaching the first-year side was going to be a challenge.

"I knew the girls were coming from a rec team," Schultz said. "I had a feeling that this being competitive that this was going to be tough. I didn't know if they knew what they were getting into. So I feel good about the team -- we've had a good win and we had a good tie, actually two good ties. ... They're improving as they go."

And still having fun.

"You're constantly running and moving, and I like that," Pearson said. "I like playing just to play."

New Ulm Sirens rosters, statistics and schedule are available online at www.mnyouthsoccer.org and at nusirens.tripod.com/www/crew.html