The importance of the offseason
After a disappointing 2-13-1 fall campaign, the University of South Dakota women’s soccer team has plunged into offseason training and conditioning since returning from winter break. While many USD students lie asleep in their beds, members of the team are doing their offseason training.
Sophomore defender Samantha Harvey said finding motivation for offseason training can be extremely difficult during the early hours of the week.
“Well, who likes conditioning? I don’t think very many people do,” Harvey said.
However, Harvey said the team’s work ethic during the offseason will translate to on the field performance when USD resumes play in the fall.
Coach Mandy Green said the team has shown major improvements during this offseason.The Coyotes opened the spring season March 28 with a 3-1 victory against Creighton.
“Beating Creighton was huge for us,” Green said. “We’re starting to see the development in all the things we’ve been working on in practice.”
Sam Harvey
Grade: Sophomore
Position: Defender
Conditioning:
“A major focus has been on our lifting and as a result we’ve been getting so much stronger throughout spring. I’d say we’re stronger than we’ve ever been as a team. During this offseason, the conditioning has been really kicking our butts. I don’t think I’ve ever been in this good of shape.”
Nutrition:
“The coaches really stay on us about eating healthy. We eat a lot of proteins because we’re working our muscles so hard. I also try to incorporate a mix of fruit and vegetables within every meal. We eat a lot of carbohydrates for the same reason. In general, we just eat a lot– — large portions with lots of carbs. If you want to see girls eating a lot of food, just watch soccer players.”
“We’ve been focused on how much better we want to be next fall. My class has been playing on the field for most of the past two years, so we know what its like to have a losing season. When we go through conditioning, we’re thinking about how much we want to win and how much better we can do next season.”
Colleen Reeves
Grade: Sophomore
Position: Defender
Conditioning:
“I don’t really have a favorite conditioning drill, but the one I probably get the most out of is the sleds drill. Basically, you push weighted sleds for a certain amount of time as far as you can and then sprint a lap. Each person does it three or four times.”
Creighton Hoefer: What does your offseason practice regime look like?
Mandy Green: We’re practicing every day at 6 A.M. right now until about 7:40. We started at the beginning of February. On Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays, half the team will lift right after training and then those who have morning class will do weights in the afternoon.
CH: What does the weight room and fitness drills represent for the team during the offseason?
MG: With weights and fitness, we’re really just trying to get more athletic and get faster. We also really try to build endurance and help us reduce injuries.
CH: Does the college-lifestyle make it difficult for athletes to follow a specific diet?
MG: We’re really just trying to give them healthy options to keep in mind when they go to places like the MUC and the Commons and make sure they are eating at the right times. The most we can do is try to point them in the right direction with the limited options they have.
CH: Right now, there only two upperclassman on the roster— Jennifer Teslow and Jen Schaefer.
CH: What do these two represent for the team?
MG: They are both lead-by-example players and work very hard. They are doing a good job off the field to make sure things are getting done in a certain way and they’re taking what we’re trying to get this young group to do.
