Great people, great stuff: Coach Albrecht has helped turn around girls soccer team

How about the girls soccer team at Superior High School?

The number of participants has increased dramatically during the past couple of years, as have the wins and coach Len Albrecht’s coaching philosophy has been one reason for the reversal of fortunes of the Spartan program. Albrecht is in his second year of coaching, and good things have happened under his watch.

During 2010, there were 23 girls out for soccer, which made it impossible to have a true JV team. Albrecht’s first year was 2011, and numbers increased to 38. Superior’s record also increased from 3-11-2 in 2010 to 10-4-2 and a second-place finish in the conference in 2011.

This year, 43 girls are in the soccer program, whic h has enabled SHS to field JV and varsity teams for the second consecutive year. This means players do not have to perform double duty. With low numbers in the past, many varsity players had to play half a game during the JV games.

Sharper focus, more players from which to choose and a deeper bench of good players are all program benefits from the increased numbers.

“I would attribute the current success the team has had to the number of girls who have played competitive and recreational soccer during the summer,” Albrecht said. “I would say that the increase in numbers is due to word of mouth among the players. The word is getting out that soccer is a fun sport and a fun team to be a part of.”

As any good coach knows, players are made in the offseason; teams are made during the season. Albrecht and his young ladies are doing a great job. Good things happen to those who work hard. Lance and Billy wish the Spartan girls continued success.

“It has been amazing to watch the progression of the soccer program throughout the past few years,” said Kelsey Hansen, a senior member of the SHS girls soccer team. “I give all of the credit to the coaching staff and the positive atmosphere they have created. The fun environment has been a breeding ground for skill development and improvement, which shows in our record and the number of girls in the program. All of the girls strive to do well for each other, not just themselves. We are truly a team.”

The Spartans are 5-2-1 in the Middle Borders Conference and in third place, two points out of first place.

The Spartans hosted Baldwin-Woodville Tuesday and play at Amery at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

• Darrell and Beth Blaylock contributed very generously to Hunger Takes No Holiday at the Douglas County Fish and Game League a few weeks ago. This past week, 40-year friend Darrell contributed again. It seems his nine-month-old granddaughter, Millie Claire Hernesman, told him that “she doesn’t like it when kids go hungry and don’t know when they may eat again.”

Either Darrell is giving me a line, or the lovely Millie is wise and compassionate beyond her years. I choose the latter. Thanks, Millie. I can’t wait to meet you.

• Well, it happened again. I, Lance Boyle, was in my favorite grocery store, the Belknap Super One, managed by close personal friend Tom O’Neill and staffed by some of the greatest young people you could ever want to meet (most people are younger than me), when I made the acquaintance of a lovely young lady who works for Enbridge.

Michelle Woerner and I met in the pop and snack aisle as I was shopping for diet soda and low calorie snacks. Yeah, right. She moved here from Pittsburgh a few weeks ago and has a two-year contract with the local energy company. She is a procurement coordinator, which tells me she coordinates procures. She really likes Superior, the people, and will brighten Superior with her presence. I have two concerns. One, is she a Pirate fan? Two, now that she has met me, will her opinion of our city and people change? Welcome to Superior, Michelle.

• Keep your eyes open for the final article for Hunger Takes no Holiday. Within the next week, the final tally will be complete and some really exciting news will be released. Here is a teaser: The people and businesses of our area are incredible.

• We are still asking for donations for Hunger Takes no Holiday. Lance and Billy have a lot of friends who have yet to help wage war on hunger in our area. Please send any contribution, whatever you feel comfortable with, to Northern Lakes Second Harvest Food Bank, 4503 Airpark Boulevard, Duluth, MN 55811. Checks should be made out to Hunger Takes No Holiday. Please help those in need with your donation.

• One of my favorite rhetorical questions of all time was uttered in the television show Wings by the old man Carlton Blanchard. He asked, “If I were to carpet Florida, how long would it take to vacuum it?”

Good question. You got to love Carleton. He was only in three episodes, but he and Arnold Ziffel, the pig from Green Acres, are my two favorite television actors of all time. What does that say about me?

Send me an e-mail of your all-time favorite actors/actresses and why they appeal to you so much. An article may follow. Love and hugs and thanks.

Opinions and/or story ideas can be e-mailed to dleigh1273@aol.com or wgranlund@centurytel.net

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