With the new MIA soccer season, incoming freshmen are not the only new arrivals to the team. A new coaching staff can be seen leading the girl’s soccer team.
Coach Jax has been playing soccer since she was five years old and has 17 years of soccer experience, completing her soccer career in college with a Division Two title. Additionally, she was the girls’ assistant coach last season, so she is familiar with the school and most of the girls on the team from last year. Alongside Coach Jax are her assistant coaches Savannah Heimerl and Hailey Cartwright.
Coach Jax has found being a younger coach has its unique experiences, stating, “It can be an advantage because I just got done playing college soccer so I know what it takes and the drills necessary for us to be successful. I can play with the girls and know their thoughts to help us have beneficial practices. She expands, “The disadvantage is I don’t have as much knowledge as an older coach would, and sometimes I don’t think I get taken seriously.”
Coach Jax is accompanied by her assistant coaches Savannah Heirmerl and Hailey Cartwright as well, both MIA alums.
Both assistant coaches played on the varsity girl’s soccer team all four years of their high school careers.
Jax has found coaching an all-girls team helpful when implementing drills and other activities at practices. She also found it helpful to have the other two assistant coaches help brainstorm ideas put together drills and instruct the team.
So far, Coach Jax has enjoyed coaching the team, even though it can be demanding at times. Being able to see the girls improve and have fun has added to her enjoyment as a coach for the girls’ soccer season.
The new coach hopes to foster a successful season and drive the team to their full potential, believing the girls can “go all the way.” With the coaches already witnessing progress in comparison to the girls’ first week, they are excited to go out there and show rival teams what the MIA girl’s soccer team is capable of.
“I wouldn’t change a thing,” says Coach Jax.
