Back home at Xavier

CEDAR RAPIDS - With the 2015 girls' soccer season in sight, Cedar Rapids Xavier has high expectations with a new coach.

Beth Samek, a Xavier alumna and soccer player, is accepting the difficult role of trying to bring this highly successful program back to glory.

Samek is not a newcomer to the sport. She played only two of her four years at Xavier because of injury and played four years at Mount Mercy. She also was an assistant coach at Mount Mercy for two years.

'I really wanted to be the girls' soccer coach because I love the school atmosphere, and I have had good experiences with Xavier sports,” Samek said.

Samek is a fan of fundamentals and expects the little things to be completed.

'The girls should do what is expected and everything beyond that is our goal,” Samek said. 'We need to play with intelligence and with teamwork.”

The girls' soccer team has won 10 state championships and is hoping to come back strong from a tough loss in a shootout against North Scott in last year's state semifinals.

'I have a high expectation for this coming year knowing what they have been capable of in the past,” Samek said.

Three key seniors this year are Katie Ives, Lizzy Bailey and Sydney Wright. The varsity team has started workouts to get back into playing shape.

'Now that the season is getting closer, we are doing a lot more intense things like more cardio and getting our core and legs stronger to get ready for the season,” Ives said.

The team is excited to see what the new coach has in store for them this year.

'We are also excited to have a new coach this year and learn what her coaching style is all about,” Bailey said. 'We plan to work hard and start a brand new string of state championships.”

The Saints kick off their season on April 6 when they participate in the jamboree at Kingston Stadium.