The Garretson Blue Dragons soccer program is coming off of their first ever state soccer playoff appearance and are looking to capitalize on that momentum and success, making little changes to continue to improve.
There is a small adjustment in the roster this season. Despite losing all-state soccer selection Kyley Greenhoff to graduation, the core of the Garretson-Dell Rapids co-op returns to the field this season. In fact, the Blue Dragons have 21 returners, 10 of whom started last season. There are only two new players, both seventh graders from Dell Rapids.
Another small change comes in coaching. Amber Williamson slid up into the head coach position. Williamson served as a volunteer coach two years ago and assistant coach last year. Taking the role of assistant coach is first year teacher Carley Kueter.
Garretson continues to keep their focus forward. After a tough loss to Vermillion last year in the first round of state playoffs, the girls are ready to start fresh this season. “We are proud of the hard work and dedication the girls showed over the summer and so far this year,” stated Coach Williamson. “We put a lot of time into the weight room and on the field this summer, and it’s definitely showing.”
Those words were put to the test already as the Lady Blue Dragons hosted the Vermillion Tanagers on August 16. Looking to wipe the slate clean and be more competitive with the team that bounced them out of the state playoffs, the Blue Dragons came into this game hungry. While they didn’t come away with a win, they did pull a draw against the Tanagers. Those two teams square up again in the regular season on September 17.
Garretson turned around the next day and traveled to Groton. The Blue Dragons came away with a strong 4-0 win, in a full-team effort.
Coach Williamson said, “Our goals this year are to do all the little things: Win balls out of the air, communicate, connect passes, and possess the ball, as well as build on last year’s successes.”
The benefit to that is the small change the ladies have had to make on their roster. The girls are comfortable playing with each other and focusing more on the flow of the game rather than guessing where their teammate will be.
Another bonus is the great senior leadership the Blue Dragons have. There are six seniors on the team this year: Riley Altman, Jayden Clark, Malia Johnson, Rachel Kindt, Aliah Lymon, and Nobel Nothstine.
Also a strong leader on the team is junior Kaycie King. King’s tenacity has made her a tough defender and a nuisance to the Blue Dragon opponents.
Having a strong returning core, solid coaching, and successful prior season, the soccer program is “looking to improve upon that and hoping to host the first round [of state playoffs] this year,” stated Williamson.
But it will not be an easy road. Coach Williamson noted, “Vermillion and Sioux Falls Christian are both great programs in Class A that have become more competitive with as the Garretson Soccer program has grown.”
And the Blue Dragon soccer program has many tools at the their disposal to stay competitive. “We return a lot of experienced players who are versatile and able to play multiple positions depending on our opponent,” said Coach Williamson.
There are also many athletes willing to fill any role. “Kyley Greenhoff was a physical presence in the mid-field as well as excellent at distributing the ball,” explained Coach Williamson, “but there are multiple people who can step up and fill her spot: Allison Ebbing, Aliah Lymon, Paige Sterud, Madi Ljunggren, Miriam Pickard, and Jenna VanHolland will all be splitting center-mid duties this year.”
All 23 athletes will have plenty of opportunity to continue team and skill improvement this year as the Blue Dragons play a varsity and junior varsity game for each contest, another small change to keep the team moving in the right direction.
Since joining the South Dakota High School Activities Association as a sanctioned soccer team six years ago, the Blue Dragons have garnered strong support from the Garretson community.
“We are fortunate to have a community of soccer parents and fans who support the soccer program in both Garretson and Dell Rapids,” said Coach Williamson.
Home games are all played at the Garretson Athletic Complex. The next home contest is Tuesday, August 27 against Sioux Falls Christian and the Annual Kick Out Cancer game is Saturday, September 7 @ 1:00 vs. Worthington.
