There are always question marks when a new coach takes over. What system will he or she implement? How quickly will they find the best positions for their players? That’s not the case at Freedom, as coach Jennifer DeMik takes over the girls team that finished 5-7 last year.
DeMik knows the players and the system very well. She’s a math teacher at Liberty Middle School and she’s had nearly the entirety of the current varsity team on her Liberty school soccer team.
“Our chemistry is really good and we have strong, veteran leadership to go with a promising future,” DeMik said. “It’s a good balance and I like (what I) know is coming (up from middle school).”
DeMik coached girls soccer at Liberty for eight years and her teams made the District meet six of the eight years, including a trip to the District finals in 2012. The eighth graders from that season have now become DeMik’s senior leaders as she takes over Freedom’s varsity program from Jenna Lamour, who is now in administration.
“She (Lamour) built this program to what it is today,” DeMik said.
Starting up top in DeMik’s 4-4-2 scheme are senior captains Emily Dabrowski and Emma Eldridge. Dabrowski is typically the team’s top goal scorer. She’s played club soccer, lacrosse, has run on the cross country team and DeMik says she is a phenomenal student. The coach also credits Dabrowski with helping get the team started.
Next to Dabrowski up top is Eldridge. DeMik likes her co-captain’s versatility.
“She’s a great athlete and can play all over the field,” DeMik said. “We’re stronger at other positions this year, so it frees her to play up top.”
The tandem, having played together going back to middle school, could develop into a potent scoring threat.
“Emily and I have a friendly competition going between us,” Eldridge said. “It’s so great that we started playing soccer together (at Liberty) and we’ll finish playing together (at Freedom).”
A pair of senior midfielders also are the other two team captains at Freedom. Rachel Diioia and Carly McCoy form a dexterous and rangy midfield tandem. DeMik is particularly excited about the “beautiful triangle” formed by Dabrowski and Eldridge along with Diioia.
Diioia played for the West Florida Flames club team before deciding to commit more to the school’s team. DeMik likes her vision of the field, as well as her footwork and ball control.
“She just slides in front of you and the ball’s gone,” DeMik said.
Even beyond the seniors, DeMik has a core of young players developing, including a few that will step in and contribute right away. Sophomores Kelsey Skendzel and Bethany Green help form a defensive back line for the Patriots. Both defenders came up with DeMik through Liberty.
DeMik jokes that the pair communicates telepathically.
The continuity is just what the Patriots need this season as they are in a very tough Class 4A, District 8, and their regular season started off with a 1-0 loss to Alonso, with games scheduled against State semifinalist Newsome, Regional semifinalist Wharton and Regional finalist Mitchell.
“The front end of our schedule is tough,” DeMik said. “We’re going to see what we’ve got early.”
Boys Looking For Goals
The Patriot boys struggled offensively last year on the way to a 3-12 record, scoring just 34 goals, although their top two scorers — Jon Hornecyck and Kwami Amankwah — were both underclassmen.
Hornecyck, a junior forward/midfielder, led the Patriots last season with eight goals and one assist. Amankwah, a junior forward, scored six goals with two assists.
The Patriots, who have had only one winning season since losing the 2009 Class 5A State championship game to Palm Harbor University, are off to solid start, beating Tampa Prep 2-0 and Carrollwood Day 3-2. The Patriots will try for their first three-match winning streak since 2013 when it hosts rival Wharton on Thursday, November 10.
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