The ASU women's soccer team has been hard at work the past few weeks in preparation for their season opener against Idaho State in the UNLV Classic on August 31.
Under new coach Kevin Boyd, the Sun Devils began an intense practice schedule on August 13 that has included two-a-days and even three-a-days.
"It's been tough, we're working hard," senior forward Courtney Crane said. "Kevin's been bringing some new stuff to the table that's really fun and interesting so I think we're all really excited."
Each member of the team was expected to stay in shape during the summer and was given a fitness test upon their arrival in Tempe.
"[We asked them to] try and play so they can keep their touch, and more importantly than that to get fit," Boyd said. "Obviously the demands at this level are very, very high on a fitness element, so we gave them a test they needed to pass coming in the door."
To stay in shape during the offseason, many players played on club teams, worked out on their own or took part in the team's organized summer running and lifting program.
Boyd has been happy with the way practice has been going and said the team is excited to learn and improve.
"It's been good because of the attitude and the spirit of the team," he said. "I feel like they're learning and getting better every day."
However, the Sun Devils do have ground to make up because having a new coach means the whole team has a new system to learn.
"Ordinarily in a program you work with your team, and your upperclassman are training your younger ones," Boyd said. "This year with me new, I'm having to train all of them at once. Because of that, it's delayed us a little. It's slowing us down in how much we can cover over a period of time so we're having to go much slower in our step by step development."
Boyd also said his players have had to adjust to his high expectations on the practice field.
"I seem to be a little more nitpicky [than their prior coaches] about the game in terms of the way I want them to play and the demands I have, so they're having to adapt to that."
Despite the natural setbacks and learning process that comes with having a new head coach, the Sun Devils believe they will be ready for their first game next Friday as long as they keep getting better at playing as a team.
"I think the biggest thing is that we've got a new group of girls here . . . so the more and more we play together, the more comfortable we'll feel together," Crane said.
Reach the reporter at: gina.mizell@asu.edu.
