Kicking off the season

Homestead+faced+Menomonee+Falls+for+their+first+game+of+the+season+at+Homestead+on+Tuesday%2C+April+5.

Homestead faced Menomonee Falls for their first game of the season at Homestead on Tuesday, April 5.

Girls varsity soccer started March 20, but they have been training early mornings before school since Tuesday, February 7th to get on track early “to build team chemistry, ” Head Coach Kelly Denk said.

The varsity team’s record was 19-3-1 last year, so they are hoping to have a better season this year because of the team bonding, Denk said.

Denk said she feels like last year it took a long time to feel group chemistry, but this year she can already feel the chemistry.

“There are so many close friendships throughout all grade levels. More like a team and a less obvious hierarchy,” Denk said.

Renee Zaiss and Kate Judd, senior captains and Coach Denk discussed their most challenging games, and they all have similar opinions.

Usually, their most challenging games are Whitefish Bay and Cedarburg later in the season.

Zaiss said, “I’m most excited for the Cedarburg game because they have always been a rival but last year we had a rough game against them so this year I think we all want to win a lot more. I also am most excited for the Bay game because it’s always a battle between us and we play them early in the season.”

They will try to beat these teams by both of the captains making an influence on this team Judd expressed she will lead this team by trying to have “everyone be the best player they can be. Soccer is a team sport, so you can’t win unless everyone is doing well. That also comes from team chemistry and knowing you can trust your teammates, which is another thing I’m trying to build. I also know there are going to be some hard moments this year and I need to make sure that I stay composed and make sure I help the team.”

Denk has hopes for this team going far in the playoffs with the experience that these players have and the talent of her team will benefit them in early June.