Only one in every 100,000 players is a “natural born” soccer player? The other 99,999 people who wish to be soccer players have to work for it.

This is what varsity soccer coach Pat Middendorf teaches all her girl soccer players.

Clayton Valley girls soccer started to condition during the off season. They have been out on the field by 2:45 ready to run and exercise.

On top of all this work these female athletes must keep a fitness diary to record what they eat and what exercises they do each day. Many players feel that the diaries are an inconvenience and aren’t necessary.

“They are different and can be a hassle but I guess they help us with nutrition,” said sophomore Ashley Purdue. “They’re a necessary evil.”

These diaries are just a few possible points that might be able to get a player a spot on varsity. This year each player was selected for a team. They are no longer called tryouts but selections instead.

Middendorf explained that just because a player was on varsity last year, doesn’t mean that they will make varsity again this year.

“Every spot is open on varsity,” said Middendorf.

They have to work for their spot, which means keeping up to date on the fitness diaries and coming to as many conditionings as possible. 

Each player has to earn a number of undetermined points to make varsity. Points are given on attendance to conditioning, up to date fitness diaries, as well as ball control and skills at selections. The idea of this point system was given to Middendorf from boys’ basketball coach Troy Neil.

There were 80 players who signed up for soccer but after conditioning started many dropped out, leaving about 65 girls.

Middendorf and assistant varsity coach Phil Rollins will choose 20 girls for varsity and junior varsity coach Walter Ramos and his assistant Kristen Elliot will choose 20 girls for JV. Kristina Harrel and Scott Vanderstraten will be choosing about 20 players for their frosh team. This year’s goal-keeping coach will be Andrew Jackson.

Selections began on Nov. 10.

As far as winning goes, Middendorf’s main goal this year is to beat Carondelet. But she does have other goals to help the girls

Aside from winning, Middendorf hopes to “keep building a better program at Clayton Valley.”

She also says that “being a role model” and “emphasizing life skills” is extremely important.