Going into the season this year, Head Soccer Coach Mickey Todd wasn't quite sure what kind of team he had.
If Saturday's game is any indication - so far, so good.
The Mariners beat Grace Christian, 5-1, in the teams' first game on an actual field, albeit the synthetic turf of Anchorage Football Stadium.
Homer's Lindsay Laylan scored three goals to lead the Mariners in the win. Gillian Beran-Maryott and Emma Teal Laukitis also added scores.
"They haven't even seen what a net looks like this year," Todd said. "And to score five goals is pretty cool."
Todd admitted the girls seemed nervous before the game, and for good reason.
Nine of the 11 starters are gone from last year's team.
"It's got to be a huge confidence builder (for the girls)," Todd said. "As long as we don't get a big head."
For a team that hasn't seen much playing time together and that playing time has been spent primarily in a gym the girls played together as a cohesive unit, Todd said.
The kids might not be in the best shape, he said, but they showed some heart in the second half when the team started to run out of gas.
"It was a fun game to watch," Todd said.
Todd said he was especially pleased with the play of Danilee Stapel and Jill Temple.
"They did an outstanding job for us," Todd said.
Also getting kudos was Marin Lee, who played three different and all-new positions during the game.
"She didn't get a goal, but made a lot happen," Todd said. "She's just a tenacious player."
The Mariners have a week-long break before their next test on April 29 at Kenai. The month of May starts with a flurry as Homer travels to Nikiski on Thursday, Houston on Friday and Wasilla on Saturday.
Ben Stuart can be reached at ben.stuart@homernews.com.
