Q/A with girls soccer coach Carl Wiersema

The 2022 Rider girls soccer team has kicked off with a great start, the Lady Raiders are undefeated with a 9-0-1 record. Rider chronicle sat down with coach Carl Wiersema to talk about expectations for this season, new players, and Aubrey Glidewell’s quick start.

Q: What are your expectations for this year? 

A: With a deep run into the playoffs, we really have our eyes set on the state tournament on this year and I think we have the players that can get us there.

Q: Who are some key returning players this year?

A: Aubrey Glidewell, she set the school scoring record last year. Jimena Rodriguez, she plays next to her and had a bunch of goals last year as well. Henlee Wilson and Ruth Vasguez are huge in our mid field. Ashlynn Knight is such a quality player. Defensively, we got back Makenzi Renfro who had been out with an ACL and she’s doing very well. Lily Dodson is one of our others who is returning and doing very well. Both of our keepers, Savannah Skelton and Allie Vasquez are both returning and are big time players.

Q: Who are some new players to keep an eye on? 

A: Even though she’s not new, she didn’t play a lot last year. Kendall Toliver has made a huge difference. She has a throw in that easily goes 40 yards and it has been a game changer for us. Other new players are Alyssa Canales, she was with us last year, but she stepped into a starting role for us and has been integral in our success this year. We have Mia Gilmore that didn’t play last year, but came in and is doing very well. Mia Escobedo is a freshman and Kayden Grimes is a freshman and are both doing very well for us.

Q: What have you learned about your team over the games and tournaments you have played? 

A: I’ve learned that they don’t like to lose. Fortunately, we haven’t lost yet, but they are finding different ways to win the game. Even if they go down, they don’t give up, they keep fighting, and find a way to come back.

Q: With tournaments about to be over, what are some big games you have coming up? 

A: Our two biggest games before district starts are Amarillo High School and Lubbock Coronado. Fortunately, we have both of them at home. We lost to Amarillo last year and we beat Coronado, so we are hoping to take care of both of them and to go into district strong.

Q: After last year, with a great season with Aubrey Glidewell, how impressed with how she has done so far? 

A: Extremely impressed. A lot of times, players will fall off after such a high level. She is right now on pace to break her old record, so she is playing better than she was last year.

Q: Do you have any final comments? 

A: I have the best coaching staff in soccer. Coach Duncan and Coach Wuthrich are extremely important in the success of our program from the JV level through the Varsity level. We are always sharing ideas and knocking things off each other. I think with their knowledge and different insights or looks at the game, we get a quality coaching experience out of the three of us.