Tammy Chamley, Dells City Journal
Dell Rapids athletes join forces with Garretson High School on the soccer field. This year, the Blue Dragons are under coaching direction of Head Coach Amber Williamson for her third season.
Returning leaders for the Blue Dragons include three returning seniors (Raegen Altman, Morgan Damman, Jenna Van Holland). Also returning juniors Kylie Christensen, Adi Fink & Jordyn Williams. Sophomore Joely Sterud returns as well, bringing back significant varsity playing time experience.
“We are looking for our underclassman defensive players to step up this year,” Coach Williamson said. “Cortney Rogich in goal as well as Ava Ockenga, Alyssa Olson, Brooklyn Trudeau and Kirti Pickard will be relied on heavily this year.”
The season ended last year with a record of 2-9. “We struggled to find the back of the net in close games,” Coach Williamson explained.
The Blue Dragons goal this year is to improve their on-goal shot percentage, be more effective attacking forward, win more 50/50 balls out of the air.
“This season I’m excited to see the offense our upperclassman can create when they play together,” Coach Williamson concluded. “We plan to be more competitive against top ranked teams and aggressive in our attack.”
The Blue Dragons kicked off their season August 12 against Vermillion. Their next home game is Thursday, September 1 against Huron. Good luck, Blue Dragons!
Blue Dragon Soccer takes three losses
Gazette staff
The Garretson Soccer team has gotten its season off on a rough note, taking the loss on its first three games.
The season kicked off against Vermillion on August 12, who stole the ball in the first half and scored three points to the Blue Dragon's one. Despite an attempted comeback, the Dragons were unable to find the back of the net in the second half, and the Tanagers again kept the ball, scoring three more points. Garretson: 1, Vermillion: 6.
The team then faced off with Groton Area August 13 on the home turf, and kept a solid hold on the ball in the low-scoring game. They ended the first half 1-0, but the Tigers made a comeback play in the second half and found the net twice. Garretson: 1, Groton Area: 2.
The Dragons again stayed on the home turf for the game on Saturday, August 20 against the Tea Area Titans. Despite several attempts to keep the ball, the Dragons were kept on the defensive as Tea remained solidly on the opposing side of the field. The Titans found the back of the net twice by the end of the first half, and held the Dragons from scoring any points in the second half while they grabbed five. Garretson: 0, Tea Area: 7.
Determined to change their luck, the Blue Dragons headed to Sioux Falls Christian on Tuesday (results not available at press time). They will next face off with Worthington on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in Worthington, and with Huron on the home field on Thursday, Sept 1 at 4:00 p.m.
