Lady Eagles Outlook Bright for 2013 Season
The Faith Lady Eagles Soccer Team is looking forward to a season of new beginnings as veteran Coach Mark Stupka has returned to the team for his ninth season with the team. His daughter, Bethany Gittins, will also have a new start as she is returning to Faith to serve as the team's assistant coach this season. Bethany played soccer with the Lady Eagles from 2005 – 2007. Pastor Wayne Hart of Maranatha Baptist Church of Grimes, Iowa, returns in his seventh season as the team's goalie coach.
This year's team will be young and energetic, with nine incoming freshmen. The incoming freshmen include Grace Kudlo of Wakeman, Ohio; Laura Sturgis of Roswell, Georgia; Anna Bishop of L'Anse, Michigan; Rebekah Stilwell of West Lafayette, IN; Kimberly McDaniel of Boone, Iowa; Krista Peters of Hudson, Iowa; Emily Wiedemeier of Carroll, Iowa; Taylor Marinez of Kennewick, Washington, and Abby Vertican of Gaylord, Michigan.
Junior defender Roslyn Hardy and all-region junior forward Kirsten Passwaters are expected to provide some much-needed leadership for the young team. Also returning for the Lady Eagles are sophomore defenders Rachel Hardy and Tiffany Stupka, stopper Hannah Nichols, and midfielder Elizabeth Hemsworth. Coach Stupka is optimistic about the potential of this year's squad. "We would like to have more upperclassmen on the team, yet we are very thankful for the terrific group of freshmen who have joined our ranks this fall. I believe that we will be very competitive and exciting to watch."
The team's theme for the season is "Love One Another", taken from John 13:34-35. The team is working to memorize this passage and will study and seek to apply principles from this passage in the days ahead.
The first match of the season will be held in Omaha, Nebraska, at 4 P.M. on Thursday, August 29th. The Lady Eagles will then travel to Coon Rapids, Minnesota, on Saturday, August 31, for a 1 P.M. match against regional foe, Providence College. The Lady Eagles coaches and players would appreciate your prayers for the team as they practice, travel, and compete this season.