Opening weekend for the Richmond Kickers Destiny was one full of activity. The Destiny opened their season on Friday, May 22 against the Cary Lady Clarets at Middle Creek Park in North Carolina. A hard-fought battle ended with a 3-3 tie between the Lady Clarets and the Destiny, with Katie Carr, Sinead Farrelly, and Erin Liberatore each contributing a goal. Official scoring credits Katie Carr with two of the Destiny’s three goals, but the players on the field, including Katie, maintain that Erin Liberatore scored the final goal of the game. She netted the rebound off Katie Carr’s shot that actually hit off the left post.
The Destiny quickly followed this performance with a game early Saturday afternoon at 2pm in Richmond against the Charlotte Lady Eagles. This second game of the weekend concluded with a 4-1 score in favor of the Lady Eagles. Samara Stephen-Dowd scored the Destiny’s lone goal of the day in the 47th minute. Following this first weekend of games, we caught up with Head Coach, Jen Woodie, to ask her a few questions about how she feels about the upcoming season.
Question: What are you most looking forward to this season?
Jen: I am looking forward to a very competitive division schedule and bringing together a new team. The W-League has transformed for the better because of the WPS. I am really excited to see the outcome this first year.
Q: What do you think will be the biggest challenge this season as a coach? As a team?
J: The biggest challenge this season as a coach is gaining experience as a young coach and putting together a basically brand new team. I think we have five veterans. We are very young, but I am looking forward to molding them and changing the mentality of the Destiny.
It is always a challenge when you bring in new people. You have to learn the style of play, your competition and the flow of it all. We are young, and it is just a matter of learning how one another plays. The more we play with each other in training and games, the more comfortable we will become.
As a team our biggest challenge is the lack of experience from being so young and full of new faces. Learning about the demands of this league is going to be our biggest obstacle.
Q: Do you think being a player-coach will help or hinder you as opposed to being focused on just being a coach? Why?
J: This is a tough question. At first, I was leaning more towards coaching more and playing when needed. I thought it would be less confusing for me as a new coach on the scene. Now I feel like my experience as a player can help the team in this time of transition. I have played in the W-League for five seasons now, going on six, and I think there is a lot of knowledge to be shared. It is a very demanding and super competitive summer, and I want the Destiny to be in the post season. Providing leadership, whether on the field or off is my main goal. With the first weekend under my belt, I am confident that I can stay focused on the vision for this team either way.
Q: The Destiny have a young team this year, do you see that as a strength, a weakness, or both? Why?
J: I think it is a little bit of both. It is a weakness because it is hard to explain the physical demands, higher level of playing, and all around competitive vibe that the league gives off. It is hard to jump in with both feet blind, and come out standing on the other side.
That being said, it is a strength because being naive is a huge advantage. The new players don't care who is on the other side of the ball, they are just looking to play hard and prove themselves. Regardless of who the "favorite" is, or who is undefeated. It is a play hard or go home type of mentality that I love. It is a great quality to have mixed into the team.
Q: What effect does having primarily new players have on team chemistry?
J: Having been with the team for three weeks now, I think having a mix of new and old, high school and college, is awesome! It is a breath of fresh air when you have new personalities and comments. I think this is what the Destiny needed, and the summer is only going to get better. The veterans have definitely taken some initiative to take some of the young guns under their wing, and in turn some of the younger players have lifted the level of competition in practice and in games. We get the best of both worlds, and it is a blend that is hard to coach. I think we just have a great group of young women who are dedicated to fighting together, learning from each other and competing until the end.
Q: Who do you think are some players to watch?
J: One player to watch is Sinead Farrelly. She is an outstanding central midfielder from UVA who plays the game with such grace. She is smooth on the ball, full of ideas, and sees the game so well. The game seems effortless when you watch it through Sinead's eyes. She is a great person on and off of the field, always smiling, and I expect great things from her throughout the summer. Another player to watch is Erin Liberatore. She seems to be a bit under the radar, but she is definitely not one to overlook. She is a quick, unpredictable forward with a lot of tricks up her sleeve. Erin is strong on the ball and powers through everything. She gives her all every game and makes special things happen in our offensive third. She is one of the new faces on our team and will start her college career in August at William & Mary.
Q: Who do you think will have the biggest impact offensively? Defensively?
J: It is tough to choose just one person, but if I had to choose I think offensively Sinead has the ability to create the most havoc and impact the game in more ways. Defensively I think Katie Carr is going to add presence, leadership and a mental toughness that will be tough to get past.
Q: Is there anyone on the team who stands out as a leader? Why?
J: I would say that Katie Carr stands out as a leader to me on and off of the field. She is one of the veterans, having played with the Destiny for a few seasons, and she has the ability to demand more out of herself and her teammates. She is not afraid to be vocal and lift the team when needed. Her experience and physical presence spreads confidence throughout the team. Katie is one of the anchors in the back line and a staple for our team this summer.
Q: What are your goals for yourself this season?
J: One of my personal goals for this season is to be a great leader and a reliable coach to my team. I am young, and I know I will make mistakes, but I want to take it day by day and improve each one. I have a long term goal of winning the division, but on a more personal level I want to learn more about coaching at this level and using my experience as a player to share my knowledge with the team. Nothing will happen overnight, but I am setting the bar high and will do everything in my power to teach and motivate the team to reach it.
Q: What are your goals for the Destiny as a whole?
J: I always want to win, it is just the competitive spirit in me. One of my goals is to finish in the top three this season. Our division is really competitive this summer, but it is realistic for us to be in the running for playoffs. We have a lot of talent, it is just a matter of finding the right combination and putting all of the pieces together.
A goal of mine is to advance as a program and create an environment where players will return. I think the Destiny can be a central powerhouse for top level college programs in Virginia, and also be a great learning tool for aspiring college players.
