The 2018 season is in the rearview mirror, and the focus is solely on the 2019 campaign for the Lambton Lions women's soccer team.
Last season didn't go according to plan for the Lions on the field. The Lions were held without a win, posting a record of 0-10 and missing the playoffs as a result. With a clean slate in 2019, the coaching staff have a positive outlook around the program, thanks in large part to a competitive week of tryouts.
"We're encouraged with the numbers and the turnout that we've got this season," said Lions Assistant Coach Steve LeBlanc. "We've got more talent than we've had in a lot of years."
Head Coach Kevin Simmonds reiterated the statements from LeBlanc.
"We're excited about what we've got," added Simmonds. "It's going to be a question of taking a look at what we've got and try to shape them into a working system."
Simmonds is entering his 15th season with the Lions in 2019.
Heading into the new season, the Lions have a healthy balance of returning veterans to lead the way and first-year players who can inject the program with some youth and a new level of hunger to succeed.
Veterans Chloe Kennedy (Pre-Nursing), Rhiannon Arnold (Social Service Worker), and Cassie Brock (Practical Nursing) are among the returnees who will be key pieces to the puzzle as the Lions look to turn things around after last year's finish. All three players will be looked upon to provide a sense of veteran leadership while taking on a leading role in terms of on-field production.
Coach Simmonds is pleased with several of the newcomers that stood out during the week of tryouts. Abby Allardyce (Chemical Production and Power Engineering Technology) and Mikaela Moriarty (Early Childhood Education) were two of the names that stood out over the first three days of tryouts, earning them spots on the 2019 roster. With their quickness and field vision, the pair of Allardyce and Moriarty will look to become key contributors early on their Lambton College careers.
The Lions open their 2019 season on Saturday, September 7th against the visiting Conestoga Condors. Last year, the Condors posted a record of 0-9-1, finishing in last-place in the OCAA Central Division.
Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Lambton College Soccer Field.