This upcoming soccer season is bringing lots of change: new coaches and players will adjust up the dynamic of the team.

Kellie Ernst and Brandon Cooke are new coaches for the girls’ soccer team. Kellie coaches Tidewater Sharks outside of Lafayette high school.

New head coach Ernst is back to coaching after taking off some time from becoming a new mom. She wrote, “I am so excited to return to coaching. I took some time off and it feels great to finally be back on the field! I’m excited to start putting the pieces together and see the growth of each individual as well as the team as a whole.” Ernst was a Lafayette Ram and was also a big asset to our soccer team and she has come full circle by becoming the soccer coach this season. “I’m so proud to be a Lafayette Ram. I take so much pride in what I learned and all that I was involved with when I was in school, so it’s such an amazing opportunity to give that back as a coach. I hope that I can make a difference with my coaching, and not only teach the game of soccer, but help my players build their character and life lessons which they can use in all aspects of their life.”

With a new coach and a new player this season, there are many obstacles that the team will face. Ernst commented. “We are a brand new team, with different levels of ability and with girls who have never played together before. It is always an obstacle early on in a new season, trying to build team unity and put all of the combined talents together. I’m confident that with the talent we have this year, we will come together for a successful season!”

Junior Kirstie Peterson and sophomore Baylee Gentry both play for Ernst outside of school on the Tidewater Sharks team. Having had Ernst as a coach outside of school these players have an idea of what to expect. Peterson said, “I love her. She can relate to us, she played soccer for Lafayette so she knows the drama that can be here in the competition and what it’s like to balance school and soccer.” Peterson went on to say “She can be serious and fun. She has lots of experience so I feel like she makes us a lot better.” Gentry also added, “She is very direct and gets to the point but is also such a great coach and helps out with little things, focusing on each player helping them get better. She is a fun coach but can also work us very hard to be the best.”

Junior Hannah Potter and University of Kentucky verbal soccer commit is playing this season and hopeful for the upcoming season.  “They are going to have quality practices that are going to help us learn new things and get better.” Potter also went on to say, “making sure we have every position filled with a player that is going to be able to take care of that particular role.”

The season brings a lot of competition and hurdles along with it but also has a lot of promise and excitement.