When we think about football, we think about flying pigskins, bone-jarring tackles, two big lines crashing together at the snap, sacks, jukes and Hail Marys.
Of course in many other parts of the world, the word football brings to mind strikers, keepers, pitch, free kickers, benders (like Beckham) and, of course, the announcer screaming, "Goooooaaaaallllll!"
We call that sport soccer. Depending on where you are in this country, soccer ranges from either being a big deal to something that should be relegated to the sports page where curling resides.On my beat, Shasta College football is king of autumn and the volleyball teams grab much of the leftover attention.Well, I'll try to spread the love around, which is why soccer takes the stage this week. (Pardon this pause as I check some things off my list right now.) What is intriguing about college soccer this year is that Shasta College has a new men's coach (Jason Dell) and a new women's coach (Jody Nelson).
Jody Nelson has experience as a club coach and seeks to utilize that in turning around a team that went 3-10-2 last season. That was a team that went through two coaching changes during the season, so Nelson is in to bring stability to the program.She has 18 players and has several experienced returners including all-conference forward Hannah Brown. Forward Jesse Bailey is also back as are midfielders Kathryn Hunting, Briah Porter and Megan Coleman.
So what does Nelson think about her chances? "I think we'll be very competitive," Nelson said. "This group has come together and has learned to play together real fast."
Jason Dell, the former coach at U-Prep, steps for a men's team that struggled at 1-17-1. So the program has no where to go but up. Dell talks as if he's at Shasta for the long haul. "I like the challenge of building up a program," Dell said. "We want to create expectations and change the view of Shasta JC soccer in the area."Simply put, he's eyeing eventual long-term success for the Knights. In the short term, he is relying on former U-Prep players such as forwards Josh Lowrey and Mirachle Udurkewe and defender Tyler Fisher for this season. However, there are plenty of other local talent from other schools on what is a 21-player roster this year. Among the newcomers is Shasta product Neil Byzeck and Mirai Sato of Japan.