Above any other aspect of coaching high school soccer, Lindsey Gallant preaches the basics.
It’s mastering the simple things which help make the complex easier.
“If you can’t do the basics, you’re not going to be successful,” Gallant said.
The basics have been especially helpful to a young, growing program like that of Gallant’s North Forrest Lady Eagles, who have experienced a year of firsts this season.
First time winning their district title, first time making it past the first round of the playoffs. It’s been a challenge, but nothing Gallant and company have not been able to work through as their impressive resume indicates.
“There was a concern, because we did lose so many seniors last year,” Gallant said. “We lost five or six seniors who all started. And we moved to a new district. I didn’t know what to expect moving districts.”
Neither did most of the players. Like Alexus Parker, one of the team’s few seniors and their starting goalkeeper.
“We always thought we would play the sport just to have fun,” Parker said. “For me, I never really thought we were going to make it so far. But now that we know we can make it, now we’re just trying to show that North Forrest has good athletes. We’re an athletic school.”
This is only Parker’s third year playing the sport. Others, like Millennium Earl, have played even less. In just her first year playing, Earl became one of the team’s key starting defenders this season.
“I had originally been playing basketball from my seventh grade year to my tenth grade year,” Earl said. “I decided I would try something new and see if I liked it better.
“It kind of scared me, because I didn’t know what to expect about the game. So I came out here and just fell in love with it. I cannot imagine myself playing any other position than right defense.”
There are a few players on the team that have been playing since their middle school days or earlier. But most are like Earl in that they picked up the sport very recently.
“I know we play other schools that have girls who have been playing for 10 years,” Gallant said. “They are sophomores and juniors in high school that have been playing since they were five or six. Those are things we have to look at and know.”
Then it’s back to the basics.
“That’s why we have to practice,” Gallant added. “And make sure we don’t make those minor mistakes that you basically learn at a younger age not to do.”
Gallant’s Lady Eagles have been led in scoring this season by freshman Mary McClure and seniors Malasia Windham and Mekalyn Burnett. Burnett is one of those players that has a lot of experience after suiting up for North Forrest as a seventh grader. This year’s team is unlike any other she played on in the previous five years.
“We just wanted bad enough,” Burnett said. “We’ve played harder this year than we ever have.”
Burnett and the Lady Eagles will hope to keep it going Friday night when they face Sacred Heart in the second round of the Class 1A/2A/3A playoffs. Win or lose, and regardless of what’s at stake in the matchup, the primary goal remains building a program that’s here to stay.
“It’s building a program and getting younger people involved,” Gallant explained. “It’s working with them consistently and talking with them in the offseason, making sure they’re working and doing the basics. It’s the hope of building.”
Burnett believes it’s a reality.
“Mrs. Gallant is going to keep doing great things with this team.”
