Lady Jacks to hold soccer tryouts

QUINCY – The Quincy High School Lady Jackrabbits soccer team will be holding tryouts Aug. 25 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the high school soccer field. 

“Looking at the big idea, I just want as many girls to play as much as possible,” said Jacks head coach Jesse Villalobos. 

Players attending the tryouts must be cleared through FinalForms to try out or practice. They are also expected to bring water, soccer cleats, shin guards, long socks and athletic clothing. 

The Jacks are sitting at 46 athletes signed up to play on the team this fall season. Villalobos said he expects around 15 more sign-ups in the coming weeks leading up to the tryouts later this month.  

This formal tryout will be held to determine players for varsity, junior varsity and possibly a C-team this year, depending on the number of players who sign up. The coach said that with the numbers he is seeing on the team so far, it is highly likely that they have a C-team this season. 

“If we can have a C-team, that would be great,” said Villalobos. “It would be about 15 players to each team.” 

The tryouts will have the coaching staff looking at the abilities of the players and giving the players the freedom to express their abilities, said the coach. Those attending will be running simple ball drills, passing drills and ball mastery, alongside some free play to see how well they understand the game and how each athlete plays. 

“Us as a coaching staff will be doing our best to select the teams,” said Villalobos. “It's mostly just thinking about where they’re going to be able to play more as much as how talented they are.” 

Over the last couple of years, the girls’ team didn’t officially have tryouts since they did not have as many players signing up as they do this year. Villalobos said it’s one of the biggest groups the team has had over the last few years. 

He said the Quincy United soccer club has been working with some of the girls in the offseason and that he has been told that some upcoming freshmen will be worth looking into during the tryouts. This year’s team is already looking to be fairly young, with only one senior starter, Jourdan Ferguson, set to return this season. 

“What we’re really looking for is to keep the girls engaged and hopefully they can have fun,” said Villalobos. “I know when people think of tryouts, they get nervous so hopefully we’re just going to go in there, ease the tension and let them know that we just want to see them play, see what they can do and we’ll find a spot for them so they can play as much as possible.” 

    Lady Jacks players working through agility drills during an early season practice last season. Coach Jesse Villalobos said he wants to ensure as many players get to play as much as possible this fall.
  

    Players work on cardio during a practice last season. Coach Jesse Villalobos said the Quincy United soccer club has been working with some of the girls in the offseason and that he been told that there are some upcoming freshman that will be worth looking into during the tryouts.