The team looks out over the field dotted with colourful cones marking the practice drill.
鈥淲e are going to do some technical stuff. Just be aware of your distances,鈥� the Kermodes women鈥檚 soccer team鈥檚 head coach Craig Smith says with a thick Scottish accent.聽
He continues going into some detail regarding Quest鈥檚 next rival, Kwantlen Polytechnic University. The drill is focused on the weekend鈥檚 matches.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to hunt them,鈥� Smith says.聽
Back on the turf, team captain Natalie Douglas says she鈥檚 looking forward to this season. Last year, the team hit a rough patch dealing with a continuous string of injuries. It marks the first time in two years that Kermodes were shut out of the provincials. In 2012, the Kermodes women鈥檚 soccer team was the first Quest athletic team to win a provincial medal, taking home bronze in the semi-finals. The following year, they traded in the bronze for silver.聽
鈥淚t was pretty tough,鈥� Douglas said. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 win the games we needed to. We tied too many.鈥�
This season, the Kermodes have a slew of new players on the roster, Douglas said. Four seniors, including Douglas, are returning to the turf. Goalie Chloe Ainsworth is new between Quest鈥檚 posts. She travelled from Manchester, England, to wear a Kermodes jersey.聽
鈥淚 am excited to get back playing,鈥� said Ainsworth.
The team hopes to build on its fast-paced style, honing in on the players鈥� passing and movement. The goal is to anticipate the other teams鈥� actions rather than fearing them, Smith said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great group of girls,鈥� he said, noting the team is very strong up the middle of the field. 鈥淚 think we just have to keep the players healthy.鈥�
The Kermodes won the first game of the season against Vancouver Island University with a score of 1-0. They then mirrored the result in a game against Capilano University but lost their third game 2-1 against Douglas College. Last weekend, the Kermodes shut out KPU 1-0. On Sunday, Langara College beat the Kermodes 4-1.聽
