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It didn't take long for Blue Valley Pumas soccer coach Ashley Stroud to realize his U-9/3rd Grade Girls Recreational soccer team was in for a successful fall season in the Heartland Soccer League. Following a dominant first-match victory, Stroud saw the potential in his team to be a championship contender.
With first-year sponsorship help from Level 5 Motorsports the Pumas became exactly that. They finished a strong second behind the Angels, tying the Angels for most goals scored during the season. The Pumas also allowed the fewest goals during the season.
"We started out pretty strong, and that gave me an indication of how good we could be," said Stroud, who coaches the team along with Joe Fultz and Manuel David. "The majority of these girls have played together for four consecutive seasons. But, this is the first season that they have been able to practice together twice a week instead of once a week. And, it is the first season in which we have officially kept score, which has been a big motivating factor for them.
"The girls put a lot of hard work into the season. They had the option of working with our team trainer, Katie Miller, and 16 of the 17 girls took advantage of that opportunity. So, we knew how serious they were about it. We lost our second game. After that loss, we really played some incredible soccer and we really jelled as a team, right through the end of the season tournament."
The Pumas won six consecutive matches to finish the regular season, including a shutout of three opponents. They scored 36 goals and held their opponents to only six.
The Pumas finished the regular season with a 7-1-0 record. They went on to play in the Midwest All Girls Tournament where they faced teams comprised of girls a year older in age. The Pumas finished the tournament 1-2-1.
"I thought the girls really grew up a lot during the tournament," Stroud said. "We tried some different things. Some worked and some didn't. We are a U9 team, and we played competition that was made up of U10 girls. They showed no fear and didn't back down.
"The one thing that was the same was the girls' effort. They put everything they had into it, both in the regular season and the tournament. We might not have gotten the results during the tournament, but there is no doubt there is a lot to build on."
Scott Tucker, owner of Level 5 Motorsports, took an interest in supporting the team. Stroud said his involvement was a big factor in the Pumas' success this fall.
"This is the first year where the parents were asked to pay for the uniforms, and costs increased," Stroud said. "We begun to seek a sponsor, and we thought this was a good opportunity to teach the girls the importance of sponsorship to athletic teams.
"Scott Tucker of Level 5 Motorsports was completely on board with the idea. He graciously stepped up and gave us the support we needed. We have gotten cool uniforms and we are having an end-of-the-season party. It has been a lot of fun."
"They have had a great deal of success this year, and it is a tremendous team effort," Tucker said. "I enjoy giving these kids a little helping hand as they get out and compete on the soccer field so they can experience and learn the value of teamwork."
Stroud expects the Pumas to be seeded No. 1 in Division 1 in the Heartland Soccer League this spring.
"I think the girls' eyes were opened this season to what they could accomplish if they stay together and trust their teammates," Stroud said. "We are anxiously awaiting the start of the spring season. We anticipate every one of these girls coming back. If they want to, they can stay together through middle school and high school and be a very, very strong team."
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