WPIAL semifinalists last season, Highlands girls put focus on possession, foot skills

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 5:06 PM

Jaci Bowser has the attitude first-year Highlands girls soccer coach Rick Tamburri seeks.

Despite graduation and a lack of numbers leading to the Golden Rams not fielding a junior varsity program, Bowser still expects a lot from this season.

Highlands reached the Class AA semifinals for the first time in its history last season.

From that roster, the Golden Rams lost four players — Alexis Bengel, Taylor Gunn, Jocelyn Gillette and Kyla Kelley — who committed to playing in college.

“I'll have to keep my head up and stay positive,” Bowser said. “Even though we lost a lot of good seniors, we'll have to do the best we can to have a good season and winning season.”

Tamburri appreciates the mindset of his players, considering the roster will have two seniors, six juniors and nine sophomores.

“I would say their attitude,” Tamburri said of Highlands' strength. “Their attitude is great. They are a bunch of kids. That's something I've been trying to key on this year with me just coming in. I want a positive attitude.”

Keeping an open mind will be especially important for the Golden Rams this year. Tamburri is bringing in a new system of play.

Highlands wants to focus on dominating possession, instead of looking to attack with long balls. That has been the major focus of preseason camp.

“They are responding pretty well, and it went well,” Tamburri said. “I'll play a little bit different than what they are used to. I've been around the game forever. We're going to play soccer, and we're not going to kick the ball down the field.”

Focusing on possession has involved increased work on foot skills.

The Golden Rams, who finished 12-3-3 last season, have utilized cones to help get better.

Highlands has worked on making moves and passing around them in practice.

“We really enjoy him,” Bowser said.

“His mentality is different and the way he wants us to play the game is different. He wants us to possess the ball more and not just kick it down the field.”

Highlands hopes the offense will allow it to challenge for the playoffs in Section 2-AA. One of its section rivals, Freeport, reached the WPIAL final last season.

“I look at the section, and I think it's going to be competitive,” Tamburri said.

In order to climb up the standings, Highlands will need to mesh together and pick up the system.

Helping everyone stay positive will be important.

“I try to encourage them,” Bowser said. “If they have a bad play, I tell them to keep their heads up and keep working on themselves. I try to help them and support them on and off the field.”

Josh Rizzo is a freelance writer.

Tags: Highlands