Lady Demons Gear Up for Season with Friendly Alumni Game

women's soccer team is seeking yet another winning season in coach Todd Jones' 10th year at the school.

The , 15-5 and district champions a year ago, have a good nucleus returning, which was evident Friday night in the annual alumni practice game.

"It's a good way to get things started and show the tradition our program has established," Jones said. "It's a great way to keep the alumni involved. They have all done a lot for our program and it is always good to have them back."

Jones pointed out that the tradition of Westlake women's soccer includes all the work done by players at annual camps and tournaments on a volunteer basis. He regretted that the game was moved back one week, which meant that some alumni members could not participate as they had already gone off to start their collegiate seasons.

There were some good goals scored from long range by both teams, though Jones really didn't keep score. One of his returning lettermen, Serene Tabbaa, served as referee. It was very much a friendly competition. Alumni members were greeted with hugs before the match and congratulated players on the other team after a goal.

The varsity squad dominated play, bolting out to an early lead and controlling the ball in the alumni's half of the field for most of the match. The alumni scored a couple of late goals to tie it.

Jones says this year's squad has a great deal of upper-class leadership. He singled out eight seniors as being the group upon which he will build: Melanie Finucan, Maura Goede, Tarra Pease, Ali Sandhu, Sarah Stroh, Tabbaa, Charlotte Tate and Lauren Wickham.

As always, the Lady Demons will face a rugged Southwestern Conference schedule.

"Brecksville is always good, Avon Lake won the conference a year ago and is going to be tough again," Jones said. "You have to come to play each and every game. On any given night, any team in the conference can win. Teams that finish in the bottom half of our league would win a lot of other conferences in the area."

See the Lady Demons roster and game schedule: