As the month of November settles in, so have NDB’s soccer teams. The teams began tryouts on November 1 and the varsity and junior varsity teams were finalized on November 8. The season is one many look forward to.

With the new season also came change. The Varsity soccer team welcomed a new head coach, Rich Williams. The returning players welcomed Williams into the community, making the transition to a new coach effortless. His coaching style has been an adjustment for players, with many of the returning players used to the style of last year.

This year, the soccer teams have been honing in on the technicals. They spend whole practices dedicated to a certain skill in order to elevate the attention to detail.

“[Williams] has already incorporated so many new practice styles,” said senior Kaylee Ellerhorst. “Like today, we focused on defensive techniques where last year, we did none of that.”

The teams, both varsity and junior varsity, have a newfound community. These two teams have been practicing closer together rather than remaining isolated from one another as they did in prior years. The close proximity allows the two to improve with the example of the other.

The varsity team is looking forward to the tournament they have planned this season. Contrasting their trip to Arizona last year for a tournament, this year they have decided to remain more local and play at the Firebird Classic tournament in early December.

Many games and scrimmages are lined up for the soccer teams. The start of their pre-season will begin with their match against Capuchino HS on November 28.