The beginning of the 2023-2024 season is starting for the women’s varsity soccer team at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Tryouts began on Oct. 16 at Pine Trails Park from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m. throughout the week of Oct. 16-20.

The team is primarily made up of juniors and seniors and there are no incoming freshmen this year. No seniors played on the team during the 2022-2023 season. This means most players are returning players.

Rountree also coaches for club soccer and coached for the Olympic development program, meaning Rountree has lots of experience with coaching.

“The goal is for the girls to always work to make them better people and players so they can reach their highest levels,” Rountree said. “We have a lot of girls with aspirations to go on and play college soccer. All we can do is to prepare them in every possible way.”

At tryouts, the players include conditioning, training and other drills. Breaks in between the tryouts were continuing to follow new drills while working as a team.

“This season, I’m really looking forward to the competition. We are playing some of the bigger schools from around the country and they should be some really good games,” center back Katelyn Campbella said.

The competition expands for the varsity women’s soccer and by practicing over time they will expand how they work as a team.

Traditions continuing for the 2023-2024 season Rountree always wants to expand how she teaches her players and how they work as a team. Other things Rountree says to motivate her players for their upcoming games will continue in a cheer chant is “We before Me,” explaining they always look out for the team.

The chants help them connect as a team with teamwork. Their upcoming game is on Wednesday, Nov 1. The Lady Eagles are ready for their first preseason game and what’s to come.