Although most people usually only remember the star players, in any sports team, everybody plays a crucial role that glues the team together.

The Lady Gators are no exception. The degrading term “bench-warmers” could not be more wrong when it comes to the women’s soccer team players.

“It’s a team of 24, not a team of 11,” says Jack Hyde, the coach for the women’s soccer team since it was launched in 1982.

Substitutes or not, every girl who is not injured has to be on the field at practices six days a week, two hours a day, and be there during competitions. The girls not playing during the games contribute to the spirit of the girls on the field.

The high spirits of the entire team can be felt at practice and during the games. As the players walk towards Cox Stadium or get ready to play, the laughter echoes through the all too often empty stadium.

“Every person is important and everybody contributes a lot to the team,” says Maya Patrick, a midfielder who joined as a freshman four years ago.

Patrick is a senior and has been playing soccer since the age of six. She said that the cheers and help of every girl are motivating and essential.

This year’s team is brand new; there are only six returnees but Lindsay Coombe, a redshirt freshmen goal keeper said everybody is doing good although they are “brand new faces.”

College athletes are only eligible for four years of competition and stepping onto the field for even 30 seconds would use up one year of eligibility.

Coombe says that being redshirted gives her one free year. Along with improving her game, she gets a chance to learn about her teammates.

“You have to know the players on and off the field to play well,” says Coombe.

The girls often meet off the field and have dinner at a player’s house. This helps them bond and keep a positive/team attitude.

Coombe broke her foot at the beginning of the semester and had to take a medical redshirt. Although she cannot practice, she still chooses to come at every practice to support her teammates.

“Everybody is necessary in a team, we all bring different personalities and positive attitudes,” says Coombe. “Everybody goes so hard (at practice), it makes us better and that’s how we improve.”

Coombe is the youngest goal keeper and fully accepts the hierarchy of the team. She is happy to be on the team and appreciates the expertise and support of Coach Hyde.

“He is a really experienced coach, he knows what he is talking about and he always makes sure that we are doing good,” says Coombe.

Coach Hyde balances the competitiveness and support he brings to the team.

“He (Coach Hyde) wants us to be competitive; to motivate us to get on the field,” says Coombe.
However, the girls on the team compete with themselves to become better, not with each other.
Patrick says, “There really is no tension between us, everybody is important.”