Young And Determined, Arcadia's Ready To Roll

Determined Psychos.

Yes, you read it right. The girls of the Arcadia soccer team are determined psychos, or at least those are the two words junior forward Mollie McGuire used when asked to describe her team.

"When we're all playing on that field, it's like we're crazy psychos determined to do well," McGuire said Wednesday, one day after a tough 1-0 loss to Alverno, a small private school. "Yesterday, I honestly don't know what went wrong. It's hard to find words to describe it."

Mollie's younger sister, freshman Katie McGuire who is also on varsity, provided a simple answer.

"I just don't think we're used to each other yet," she said. "We just need to work with each other more so we can become more comfortable on the field."

For a young team with six freshmen and only four seniors this season, chemistry and comfort on the field could be hard to find. In addition, six players are out at the moment due to injuries. Last season, the Apaches won a game in the CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs, and this year the players expect no less. Coach Paul Miles and his staff plan to bring the girls to their full potential.

According to Mollie McGuire, the Apache coaches planned to implement a more rigorous conditioning schedule at the start of the season, including a "Hell Month" as opposed to what athletic teams often call a "Hell Week."

The coaches even created a booklet they dubbed "The Soccer Bible," which included extensive workout schedules for every day of the week.

When asked what she thought prompted the fresh new emphasis on and increase in conditioning, Mollie answered, "I think they wanted us to get serious so we wouldn't waste our potential."

Working around injured players and developing team chemistry are the clear obstacles ahead of the Apaches. Regardless of their coaches' efforts, the team's ability to reach its full capacity is completely in its own hands as single players and as a group out on the soccer field. Fortunately, the squad is focused on its goal, rather than individual players' egos or bad attitudes.

"Everyone pretty much gets along," Mollie revealed. "There's no fighting or hatred or major drama. We all click pretty well."

Senior captain Sydney Dreves added, "Yes, this year we have a lot more freshmen, but I don't think the team dynamic or goal has changed. I hope we win league and place really high in CIF — even better than we did last year."

After a month of tough conditioning and meticulous practices, the season is now upon the Apaches, and although they won their first match against South Pasadena, the recent loss to Alverno means there is still work to be done. But with an eager group of girls determined to thrive and a passionate coaching staff, it seems Arcadia girls' soccer is definitely on the right path.

"We just gotta put the ball in the net," Miles said.