Speed, Experience to Boost Flint Hill Girls Soccer

With a smooth transition to a new head coach already behind them, the Flint Hill girls soccer team has set its sights on obtaining the Independent School League Championship title for the first time since 2008.

Stephanie Hulke, the Huskies' former assistant coach for the past five years, said the girls adjusted to her as head coach almost immediately last spring.

"It wasn't that I had to prove to them that I knew what I was doing," said Hulke, who played soccer in high school and at the College of Wooster (Ohio). "It was about telling them what I wanted to get done with this group of girls. It was an easy transition."

The goals for the Huskies are clear: top the ISL standings and win the tournament. 

And they have one big advantage to getting there: Marlo Sweatman. 

Sweatman, a senior co-captain committed to play with Florida State, was selected for the Jamaican Women's National Soccer last year and currently leads her team with six goals over the Huskies' first four games.

You always have to worry about Marlo. Any of our opponents should know No. 21. She's the most skilled and smartest soccer player on the team," Hulke said. "If I was the opposing coach, I'd be worried about what Marlo is going to do."

Sweatman enjoys the challenge of being an on-field leader, and fully expects opposing teams to put their best defenders on her. But she is not worried she can't handle the pressure because she knows she has a speedy, experienced team playing alongside her on their path to success.

"We don't have a lot of size, but we have a lot of speed. I think we're smarter than a lot of other teams, and we have a good amount of experience," Sweatman said. "I can really rely on anyone on the team in different situations."

Hulke agreed the Huskies are well-rounded with a roster full of genuine soccer players rather than good athletes, and believes a strong team chemistry is a major reason the Huskies will be strong contenders.

"We work on possession a lot and distributing. Marlo knows the game so well. She knows when she can take a risk with dribbling, she knows when she can shoot, she knows when she can distribute the ball," Hulke said. "And her teammates are ready to do their jobs when the ball comes to them."

Hulke's plan is to build on their soccer abilities through open communication, a coaching tactic she believes is important when working with teenagers — especially girls. 

"I really try to take a chance to pull them aside and discuss both the positives and what we have to work on. I'm constantly giving them feedback so they feel like they're growing as players," she said. "I think I'm building the confidence of the players a little more. I think we've had some great coaches in the past, and I've actually been taking some things from them and using them this year, but I think I'm different in the way I approach the girls. I just think the way you approach them establishes how comfortable they are coming to you in tough situations, on or off the field."

The Huskies have started with a record of 3-1 and will continue their season 4:30 p.m. Tuesday against Bullis. 

"I really do believe we have what it takes to achieve our goals," Hulke said. "The girls are excited, I'm excited. I think we're going to have a good year."

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