FOLLOWING a successful first season with Patrick Henry Community College (Martinsville, Virginia), Gerringong’s Chelsea Ford is looking for a strong sophomore season on the pitch.
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The 19-year-old former Breaker, who guided the Patriots to fourth in their Region X conference with a program-high 13 wins last season, knows she will be better equipped to cope with the demands of the season, second time around.
“The biggest thing I learnt last season is that you can’t go in expecting to win a game, because when you underestimate your opponent, that’s when you’re most vulnerable,” Ford said.
“It’s important that you put in 100 per cent effort at all times, as that’s the key to success – if you’re training everyday to your full potential, then the results will show on game day.
“Same goes in the classroom – if you do your work and study for exams, you’re going to do well in the mid-term and final exams.
“In college, you have to get good grades and do well in the classroom to be able to play your desired sport, so balance is important.
“Like they say, you’re a student athlete - student comes before athlete.”
The central midfielder, who has just completed a hard pre-season, knows the team is ready for the season opener on August 22 against NCAA Division III Hollins University at the Smith River Sports Complex.
“Heading into my second season, I know full well that our conference is full of talented players and teams with the potential of defeating one another,” she said.
“It looks like our conference will again be very challenging and it all start against Hollins, on our home turf.
“Playing at home is always a blessing as you know your home field – you practice on it most days of the week, so you’re familiar with the surroundings and the way you play as a team on the field.
“Every game is going to be a challenge, so it’s crucial that everyone’s mindset is focusing on each match as it presents itself.”
Ford, who admits her game has gone to a new level since making the move to the US due to the high intensive training, has a number of goals she wants to achieve this season.
“Personally, I have set little short term goals that I will reevaluate every week, which I hope will help the team get to where it needs to be,” she said.
“As a team, we really want to come together as one unit, always encourage one another and remain positive at all times – because a strong bond increases the likelihood of success.”
Following their opener, Ford’s Patriots have trips to William Peace and Spartanburg Methodist on August 24 and 27 respectively.
PHCC then opens up September with a pair of home matches followed by three straight on the road.
The ladies have their first conference home match on September 6 against Wake Tech.
The Patriots then have the first of two three-game road trips during the month of September, beginning September 9 against Regent University at Greenbriar Christian Academy.
Region X matches against Louisburg and Cape Fear, September 10 and 12, conclude a busy three games in four days.
The end of September really generates steam as the Patriots travel to USC Salkehatchie, Wake Tech and USC Lancaster in the span of a week.
The road swing is complemented by a return to the SRSC to start October with a crucial Region X match against Louisburg on October 4.
The Patriots finish the regular season with three of the final four games at home.
A three-game homestand starts October 11 against NCAA Division III Averett University.
Sophomore Day will be held October 21 against USC Salk before the regular season concludes a day later at Stratford, wrapping up a two-game season series with Cardinals, the first match played September 2 at the SRSC.