The thing that makes this season different from the other years is that this year’s playoffs have been moved to the spring of 2021.
For both soccer teams, they will move to a different complex while also changing the playoff dates. For women’s soccer, the National Championship will be played at the Foley Sports Tourism Championship from April 27 to May 3. For the men’s team, they will play at Blanchard Woods Park from May 4 to 10.
Coach Dan Swier, the head men’s soccer coach, and Coach Benjamin Karnish, the head women’s soccer coach, were not surprised by the decision.
“To be honest, many of us saw it coming as it was the option that allowed the conference to control what they do and provide the most flexibility across the board,” Karnish said.
Both coaches agreed, though, that it was too soon to think about playoffs.
“Once we finish our fall season on November 21, I will shift my focus to preparation for playoffs in the spring,” Swier said. “Wintertime is typically our ‘off-season’ where we focus more on strength and conditioning, individual skill development and playing 6v6 in Juffer Athletic Fieldhouse. With GPAC playoffs being in late March/early April this year, our approach to the months of January and February could look quite different this year too.”
Keeping the body conditioned during this break will impact sports, but both coaches said their players were looking forward to this change.
So far, the men’s soccer team is 3-2 overall, and the women’s soccer team is 2-3-1 overall.
Both men’s and women’s teams play Presentation on Oct. 17 at Orange City, NW soccer complex.
If you are around during fall break, feel free to head over and cheer them on.
“The team loves the support they get from their fans,” Karnish said.
The women’s match starts at 2 p.m., followed by the men’s at 4:15 p.m.
