Q&A with Women’s Soccer Coach Gordon Smith
The Eagles finished fifth at the CCAA national championships this year, which was hosted by NAIT, and is bringing home the banners that fans have been craving. Head coach Gordon Smith has proved himself, and is looking forward to coming back next season.
By Kyle Benning [sports bureau chief]
The women’s soccer team has won two consecutive provincial titles with two different coaches.
The Eagles finished fifth at the CCAA national championships this year, which was hosted by NAIT, and is bringing home the banners that fans have been craving.
Head coach Gordon Smith has proved himself, and is looking forward to coming back next season.
KB: How was your first year in charge of the women’s soccer team?
GS: Overall, it was really positive. I was really impressed with the play of all the girls. I really learned a lot about the league and the capabilities of our team. Winning provincials obviously was a big thrill and allowed us to get to nationals and get a good sense of what the next step is for the team.
KB: What is the next step for the team?
GS: We were very close, but overall, I think we need to get a little bit fitter, a little bit stronger and a little bit faster so we can play the kind of soccer that we want.
KB: How was it coaching at a national championship?
GS: It was a great experience. The tournament was really well run, there was a sense of hype and excitement, there was media covering the games and it was really professional. So from that standpoint, it was great. Also meeting all the other coaches and learning about what they’re doing was really good.
KB: You had to play three games in three days. Was fatigue a factor considering that your first game went into extra time?
GS: I think so. We saw that in provincials with a couple of teams that we played. Langara had a really tough semifinal and we were a lot fresher. So I think it did play a factor. Maybe not in the first game, but as the tournament went on, we started to slow down a little bit later in the games. I think it definitely was a factor.
KB: I’m sure that you’ve surpassed what you had planned at the beginning of the year. Going into next season, what kind of foundation are you going to set?
GS: I think we really want to raise the level of strength and conditioning. That’s going to be a big thing that we address between now and September.
KB: What about results-wise?
GS: It is very tough to win the B.C.’s and get to nationals. I think we are going to have to be stronger; we will have some players that won’t return and we will have to try and replace them as best as we can. Maybe try and have a stronger league season so we can get that [first-round] bye in the first game [of provincials].
