SPRINGDALE — Springdale High girls soccer coach Franklin Jennings watched last week as his players jogged around a field before the start of another practice.
Taking a few minutes to sit and relax, Jennings talked about the luxuries of having a senior-laden team that has spent the past few years getting familiar with his system.
2013 Springdale High Girls Soccer Schedule
Date Opponent Time
Feb. 22 Mena (Benefit Game) 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 26 at Shiloh Christian 4:30 p.m.
March 1-2 NWA Showcase TBD
March 7 Eureka Springs 5:30 p.m.
March 8-9 at Harrison Tournament TBD
March 12 at Van Buren 4 p.m.
March 14 Green Forest 5:30 p.m.
March 25 at Springdale Har-Ber 5:30 p.m.
March 29 at Siloam Springs TBD
April 2 Gentry 5:30 p.m.
April 5 Rogers High 5:30 p.m.
April 9 Rogers Heritage 5:30 p.m.
April 12 Van Buren 4 p.m.
April 19 at Bentonville 5 p.m.
April 25 at Fayetteville 5 p.m.
May 3 Springdale Har-Ber 5:30 p.m.
He hasn’t had to devote as much time this offseason to teaching the basics. And with the Lady Bulldogs set to open their season with a benefit game against Mena on Feb. 22, he has the confidence that his team could be much-improved now that it’s more experienced.
“We’ve been considered pretty young for the last couple of years,” Jennings said. “We graduated only two seniors, so we’re fortunate that nine of our starting 11 get to come back.
“So we’ve got quite a few seniors, which is something we haven’t been fortunate enough to have in the past.”
Jennings isn’t sure just yet what his team’s identity will be. That could depend on the opponent, and some of the question marks surrounding the Lady Bulldogs will be answered once senior Brittany Jurgens and sophomore Stephanie Long join the team after their basketball season ends.
Springdale struggled to score goals last year, but Jurgens is an aggressive player who could lead a trio of scorers this upcoming season. At the same time, Long has shown Jennings that she could have an immediate impact once she finds a spot in the lineup and gets acclimated to the team.
“We have the opportunity with the group that we have to put out a more attack-minded 11 or a more defensive-minded 11,” Jennings said, adding that one of the team’s goals is to earn a berth to the Class 7A State Tournament.
Like Jennings, Springdale midfielder Kimberly Fierro has reason to be optimistic less than two weeks before the season opener. The sophomore said she believes the team will get off to a better start than a year ago, which set a bad tone for the rest of the season.
“I think this year we’re going to step it up and show other teams how high we’re capable of playing,” Fierro said.
Jennings admitted he has a pretty good idea about his starting lineup, but there are a few spots that still aren’t finalized — including at goalkeeper. Not every player’s role has been defined yet, but with an older lineup, Jennings said there shouldn’t be as many growing pains as in years past.
“Luckily, with us having 10 seniors, they’ve been through the system. They’ve been through training for three years,” Jennings said. “They understand for the most part our system and what we try to do with the ball.
“So there definitely is less (unknowns) despite the fact that we do have those younger players.”
As Jennings spoke, he stopped a few times to comment on the potential of a player who jogged by the team’s bench. It was apparent that he has hopes for the season, and he won’t have to wait much longer to see if they come true.
The same goes for his players.
“I’m pumped up,” Fierro said. “I’m just ready to play some games and ready to win.”