The Coconino girls soccer team鈥檚 2022-23 season was difficult. The Panthers had some success, but a couple factors -- including record snowfall -- made the campaign harder than it needed to be.
The returning Panthers hope to use the lessons learned, with a relatively new roster, to vault them to more this winter.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not putting a limit on where we think we can go, or a specific goal. We just want to encourage them to do as much as they can, and see where that takes us in the end,鈥� coach Isaiah Veale said.
Last year, Coconino went 6-6 (2-4 Grand Canyon) and reached the 4A Conference play-in round, falling to Arcadia in Phoenix.
All outdoor winter and spring high school sports in Flagstaff were affected by the sheer quantity of snow that fell for months. But, in particular, the Panthers had their rhythm thrown off over and again by the weather.
They played just three home matches all last season, compared to nine on the road. Those home matches, especially later in the season, were on smaller fields than regulation, given how difficult it was to clear the field enough to play.
There鈥檚 no promise there won鈥檛 be more tough weather this winter, but Coconino has already gotten in a lot of training in the preseason. The returning girls are thankful just to be out practicing. They also have eight scheduled home matches this season, including the final four regular-season contests at Cromer Stadium in region play.
鈥淣ow we can actually practice more than once a month instead of shoveling,鈥� senior Rhya Vesely said, laughing. 鈥淎nd we can work on a lot more and get better.鈥�
鈥淲e know what it was like not having that. We鈥檙e glad we can actually be on the turf and hopefully it stays that way,鈥� added senior Mia Veale.
The actual roster of the team is made up differently than last year. The Panthers graduated 10 seniors from last year鈥檚 team.
What鈥檚 left, though, is a group of young-but-experienced returners, and several JV call-ups the Panthers are excited to debut at the varsity level.
The girls are excited for the future, though, especially in the attacking portion of the field.
鈥淲e have a really strong forward presence. There are a lot of girls playing up top that are good and can score, and a lot of them are returners so they know what to do,鈥� Vesely said.
The Grand Canyon Region promises to be competitive again, with five of last year鈥檚 seven region teams earning a postseason berth.
But, with a promising group of players and a newfound excitement, there鈥檚 hope that the Panthers can compete with the area鈥檚 top squads.
鈥淚 think we鈥檙e still in a little bit of a phase of feeling it out. We lost all seniors from last year. Some of them, you just can鈥檛 replace. You just have to see where the new girls fit in,鈥� Isaiah Veale said, adding, 鈥渂ut I believe the quality of play and the technical ability -- you can call in the soccer IQ -- is the best it鈥檚 been in a long time.鈥�
Coconino will host Barry Goldwater at Cromer Stadium to begin the season on Dec. 1.