Losing key players and all-conference performers is par for the course in collegiate athletics, and the occasional introduction of a new coaching staff is also commonplace. Rarely though is that staff introduced to a program one week before its first practice.

That's exactly the situation facing Regis (Mass.) women's soccer who begin a new era under head coach Mike Webber. Webber, who came to Regis after a decorated career at Allegheny College, was hired this August and had just one week to prepare for the start of preseason.

But through four days of double days and a scrimmage versus Wellesley College, Webber has been
pleased with the progress and attitude of the team. "You can really see a strong relationship forming between the upperclassmen and the freshmen. The upperclassmen want to be successful and realize that they need the newcomers to do that."

Tri-captains Hannah Bouvette, Erin Loehner and Shannon Cafua will be called upon to help foster that relationship and expedite the progress of the team in a short time. "In the small amount of time we've had," said Cafua, "I think we've done really well in working together and getting to know each other. Yesterday (against Wellesley) was our first game and a really good start."

As for the evolving chemistry between the players and coaches, Webber cites the positive relationship between him and assistant coach Maggie Crowe as paramount to getting the most out of his players. "(Maggie) and I have hit it off and it's a good relationship. We can agree and disagree but we always work things out and it shows up on the field. She does a good job and the players really buy in to her teaching."

Undoubtedly, the cohesiveness between Webber and Crowe has rubbed off on the players, as shared by Bouvette who was the Pride's leading goal scorer and first-team all-league selection. "Both coach Maggie and coach Webber are great coaches and its easy to fall in line with them. We're all very close to them already." Cafua reiterates Bouvette's sentiments. "It's easy with them to know when its the student-teacher relationship and when we can joke around with them."

But what of the team's development on the pitch? The Pride welcome back Joana Rosa but will have to find a way to fill the void left by Rachel Gagnon in goal. Both all-conference performers last season, Rosa was second on the team with five goals and Gagnon finished third in the NECC in goals against (129). Webber has spent the majority of practices focusing on the team's defensive shape with sessions involving pressure-cover defending in the midfield and zonal marking in the backline.

Webber adds the fitness level could be better but that focus has had to take a backseat to technical and tactical training. "If we had more time would we have been better set up? Would we have had 30 training sessions planned? Sure. But the team is taking steps every day to get where they need to be." Crowe also speaks positively of the team's progress in the face of limited preparation. "It's hard to say we've reached the midpoint of preseason because we've only worked on our defensive structure and it was good to see that in the (Wellesley) game."

The team has five more scheduled practices before its season opener at Mount Ida on Thursday, Sept. 1.

#RegisWSOC