By Nate Radomski for the JournalNews

HAMILTON — Head coach Heather Ellis knows a thing or two about soccer, having played and coached the game at many different levels for most of her life, and she hopes to bring a change to the Hamilton High girls program.

Coming off a 5-9-3 season in 2004, where the Big Blue went 0-8-1 in the Greater Miami Conference and tied for last place, Ellis said she hopes to improve the team’s image within the GMC.

“I’ve been in soccer for 26 years, Ellis said. “I want to bring that experience to this school and surprise a lot of people.”

With a new coach, however, things are bound to change for the Big Blue from previous years.

“My philosophy is a little different,” Ellis said. “First and foremost, my goal is to make respectable young women.”

Ellis said this included focusing more on team mentality and even community service. “My (second) goal is to get as many girls into college as I can,” she added.

Ellis has set up mandatory study tables for the girls and plans to keep in contact with all the teachers. “Grades are huge,” she said.

Besides the transition into a new program off the field, Ellis has introduced new ways on to field, as well.

Hamilton plans to run at least three new formations this year, to not only ensure a solid team all around, but to also keep their opponents on their toes.

“They’re working extremely hard,” Ellis said of her players. “I see the ability and desire to work hard and climb out of the hole that this team has been in.”

The girls program has 28 returning players, giving Ellis plenty of experience. Leading the attack for the Big Blue this season will be seniors Tracy Rider, Sarah Coombs and Christy Ott. With Rider in goal, Coombs on defense and Ott directing the field, Ellis is relying on her seniors to provide leadership to a young team.

Katie Ott (Christy’s younger sister), Sarah Wright, Katie Meyer and Christine Tonich will be key underclassmen in this season’s team. Meyer, a sophomore, was one of two Hamilton players named to the All-GMC second team in 2004.

The Hamilton girls will try to take that first step toward turning the program around Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Edgewood.

View Article at HJN