By Jensyn Hartzell
Sports Editor
Sunday, Sept. 27, the Washington College women’s soccer team held a clinic for high school girls interested in playing at WC to meet the team, play soccer, and improve their skills.
The clinic was run by Head Coach Thomas Reilly along with volunteer assistant coach Molly Kovarik. Some of the WC soccer team players also came to help out, including juniors Erin O’Reilly, Brianna Parise, Keelie Verbeek, Noah Smith, and Peri Bertolami.
The WC soccer players were used to show how drills work, help coach clinic participants, and jump into drills that needed an extra player.
The clinic began at 10 a.m. and went until 11:30 a.m. when the coaches and players broke for lunch and a campus tour. They began the second session at 1 p.m. and ended at 2:30 p.m. The clinic players were then given an extra hour to ask the WC soccer players any questions about the team or WC.
Everyone involved was required to wear masks unless they were playing and had temperature checks upon arrival. Hand sanitizer and wipes were available to everyone before and after each session of gameplay.
Only six girls attended the clinic. Whenever not in play, the clinic players were required to be socially distanced on the sidelines.
“It was still fun to get out and play even with 11 of us,” Bertolami said. “I think it allowed us to get to know the clinic players better as potential teammates and our coach can focus on the clinic player’s skill level.”
“It was good for the clinic players too because they got a better idea of how [the women’s soccer team] interacts with each other and our coach,” Verbeek said.
The clinic was not able to scrimmage or go into full game play due to the low attendance numbers and contact rules. The clinic focused on 1v1 or 2v2 drills, shooting, and dribbling.
“The clinic players enjoyed the sessions and so did our WC girls,” Reilly said.
There will be another women’s soccer clinic on Sunday, Oct. 25. Registration for this clinic can be found on the WC Women’s Soccer page on the WC Sports website, washingtoncollegesports.com.
Participants will be required to bring their own lunch as the Hodson Hall dining area on campus will be unavailable for use. They will also be required to bring all of their own equipment as sharing is not allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The same schedule will be run on the second clinic. Clinics cost $85 to register; payment information can also be found on the WC Sports website.
“Overall, the day went well and all the girls that came to the clinic were all good players,” Bertolami said.
Contact Kovarik by email, mkovarik2@washcoll.edu, for more information or questions.