How the Laurier girls’ soccer team is focusing on bonding on and off the field

The Laurier Brantford YMCA’s (LBYMCA) double gym is filled with laughter, the sound of running shoes scurrying across the floor and the sound of the Brantford girls’ soccer team’s captains booming off the walls.  Gargano is directing the team from the bench as she runs the 7:45 a.m. captain’s practice. Shouting directions like, “talk to one another” or “keep pressuring her” while offering advice on plays. The Laurier Brantford varsity team has had their challenges in the past and at the last regional championship the team had one win and three losses. However, this year is about growth and bonding. “Once we get our aim down, I think that we have some good power behind the ball,” Gargano said. 

Hopes are high heading into the tournament season and the team is practicing four times a week, twice at the LBYMCA and twice at a turf field in Paris. The team also works on their personal fitness together outside of practice. Players often become gym buddies and workout together to increase their endurance in preparation for the straining tournaments ahead, said Gargano. The team is playing in two tournaments as of right now and more can be added as the season goes on and depending on the team’s performance. The scheduled tournaments will be taking place around the end of January and end of February. Dates are yet to be confirmed, and Gargano says the girls are working hard. 

“Typically, we either tie or lose and I think that having a win would just push the girls to want it more, especially after a couple losses, spirits are down so securing a win would bring the stamina and vibe up,” she said. 

This team may be small, around ten people, but they work hard during each practice to sharpen their foundational skills and overall fitness. “We’ve been working a lot on our ball control and technique and communicating as a team, which is super important going into a tournament,” said Mya Sterling, a second year social work student and varsity soccer player. 

During a typical practice, this team will do a combination of soccer drills like passing and shooting and try to get a scrimmage going while laughing and joking around with one another. “You’ve got to keep it lighthearted, otherwise we are just going to be dying from sweating and panting,” Gargano said. Off the field, the team enjoys spending time together to bond and create a greater sense of family in the team dynamic. “After every tournament we go to Chucks [Roadhouse] and we get dinner together. It’s a fun night, even if we lose, we still come together as family,” Gargano said.  

This article was originally published in print Volume 24, Issue 4 on Thursday, December 5.