The Farmersville girls soccer program is in a familiar scenario entering the season. With constant coaching changes over the last seven years of the program, it is Coach Krystal Mikeska’s chance to try and get the Lady Farmers on the right path.

Coach Mikeska arrives at Farmersville with quite the reputation, dating all the way back to her playing days at Naaman Forest. She has always been one to meet any challenge on the soccer pitch head on, and that is what excites her about taking the reins in Farmersville.

“It’s an exciting time for us,” Coach Mikeska said. “The expectation is that we are building the foundation to our program. We are working towards developing skill and soccer knowledge. I want to set clear expectations because we are building from the ground up.”

The job comes with its challenges, as the Farmersville soccer program is still in its infancy. On one hand, there is the task of putting a competitive team on the field that can grow excitement among the young ladies of the community who have interest in playing soccer in high school.

On the other, there is the obligation of teaching the game with a detailed approach to help build a foundation that can serve as the program’s standing ground for years to come. That is the challenge Coach Mikeska is not taking lightly as the season gets under way.

Like any sport, Coach Mikeska knows experience is a vital key to success, and getting players that experience prior to hitting the varsity level is part of the assignment. Farmersville just got a junior high program firmly established a season ago, and that is just part of what Coach Mikeska believes can help grow the sport of soccer in Farmersville.

“We got the junior high program up last year,” she said. “That gives us a feeder system that helps us develop the foundational points at a younger age. We are also developing the youth programs in the spring, getting kids in the area playing a lot of soccer. Getting the kids in the community that experience early is ideal.”

Perhaps the biggest challenge this year will be managing expectations. Not just managing those for the team, but also those for each individual.

The Lady Farmers’ roster has a plethora of different skill levels on it and bringing them all together will be no easy task.

“We have a couple of players that play at elite level year round through their club,” Coach Mikeska said. “We also have some that don’t play in the summers at all, and for some, this is even their first season. I am challenging those players with more experience and knowledge to take on a leadership role. If they are coaching the less experienced players up the same as I am, that helps. We are looking for positive encouragement. They know what this program has been, and they want to help.”

For starters, senior Kennedy Jones is one of the more experienced players on the roster. A natural leader who communicates well with her teammates, Jones will be one of several players Coach Mikeska leans on to be an example on the field for her less-experienced peers.

Farmersville also has a pair of players who play the sport year-round. Junior Morgan Cobb is a skilled player who will be one of the better leaders by example in practices.

Sophomore Natalie Taylor is also one that will handle a variety of roles for Coach Mikeska. Jones plays for the Elie Clubs National League’s Texans, and is currently ranked among the top prospects in the state, giving the Farmersville a player that can help in a variety of ways.

Still, part of Coach Mikeska’s challenge will be pushing those players to be their best, while also pushing some of the beginners to get better each day, knowing the standard is different for each.

“We set realistic goals as a team and as individuals,” she said. “We will revisit those throughout the season. I have no doubt that are girls want to go out and win. They want to compete. What we have to remember is are the things that we are doing helping us to get closer to those reaching those goals.”

“Are we trending upwards?” she added. “Are we able to connect on passes and possess the ball more and more? We aren’t going to play kick ball or just sit back and play defense. We are going to play with a purpose. It may not look pretty at first, but we are going to stay true to those goals.”

The girls have already taken the field five times to this point, winning twice including a 5-0 shutout of A Plus Academy. Next up, the girls will host Frisco Emerson this Friday, Jan. 5 at 5:30 p.m.

From there, the girls schedule will pick up exponentially, and Coach Mikeska’s tenure at Farmersville will officially be under way.

By Austin Smith • [email protected]

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