Libby soccer brings experience, focus to new year

Libby High School girls soccer coach Joseph Cik is hoping the team will show calm strength and tight teamwork in the upcoming season.

‘The girls soccer team has gone through huge dynamics over the last few years,” Cik said. “The old team was strong and competitive. They were a great team. And then those girls left, and I came in to coach.”

Cik, who has coached now for four years and previously played soccer in high school and college as a midfielder, said he’s bringing a sense of calm to the team: He wants to keep everyone straight-forward and focused in the game.

“What we have now is a good group of seniors and well-coached freshmen,” Cik said. “It’s a good formation for the team.”

The returning players are Danielle Hawthorne (goalkeeper and midfield), Kacie Berget (sweeper), Callan Peel (midfield), Cassidy Ennenga (sweeper and stopper), Shea Munroe (striker), Jessica Miller (defender), Abby Ennenga (goalkeeper) and Anna Carlson (sweeper and striker).

Junior Danielle Hawthorne said she is more confident this year than she was last year. The consistency of the returning players and the addition of talented freshmen will boost the team’s level of play, she said.

“Last year everybody was new, and it felt like we had to start from the basics. But this year, with everybody being experienced, it helps a lot,” Hawthorne said. “We don’t have to waste time with basic fundamentals.”

Hawthorne said that although the Loggers play as a team, it feels more like a family. She has high hopes for the team this year.

The game is really about the team for Cik. He said previous teams had emphasized passing the ball only to star players to make it through the game. Now, Cik said, every player counts.

“The main thing I try to do is make our team a family environment,” Cik said. “I try to make it safe and comfortable. All the other teams can be great and competitive, sure. But if it feels safe and comfortable to me, that’s what counts.”

Cik said the team hit a cohesive and balanced peak in their win against Bonners Ferry in 2013. He said the teamwork was sharp, the players got possession for most of the game and took advantage of opportunities throughout the whole game. Getting to that level will get the team in top shape, Cik said.

“If we focus this year and work together, we’ll be good,” Cik said. “We can catch lightning in a bottle if we really try.”

The team’s first game will be Saturday, Aug. 30 in Hamilton.