Interview with Head Girls Soccer Coach Erica Bader

I was lucky enough to get a few minutes out Erica's busy schedule to talk about the Midland Dow High School Girls Varsity Soccer team and Erica's expectations for the team this season. The interview went as follows:

​1. What are your expectations for this season?

My expectations for the season are to get better as the season goes along. I am expecting that we compete in the SVL as well as make a good run in Districts.

2. Is there one player that you believe will be key to your team’s success this season?

There isn’t one player that I believe will be key to the team’s success, but there is a grade. We have a very talented group of sophomores that need to step up and play well for us to be successful.

3. Is there a specific style of play you expect to play this season or do you plan on just playing whatever style it takes to win?

The team isn’t blessed wit exceptional size or speed, but we do possess a great deal of skill and soccer knowledge. We will need to play smart to be able to compete at our best.

4. Is there a certain opponent or game that you and your team look forward to playing this season?

The Dow vs Midland game is a game that is circled every year on our schedule. Both teams really get up for the game as does the entire city of Midland. The game brings out the very best of each side.

5. What game do you believe will affect your team’s success the most this season?

The Dow vs Midland game will affect the team the most because of the importance that the girls place on the game. As well as the fact that it is late in the season against not only the biggest rival, but another top competitor in the District.

6. Where do you feel your team will finish in the Saginaw Valley North division this season?

There is no longer a North and South division in the SVL. It is all one league with no separate divisions. We will finish in the top half of the SVL without question. The team will hopefully challenge perennial front runners Powers Catholic as well as Midland High.

7. After starting the season with two wins, your team has hit rough form in two matches. What do you believe your team needs to do to get back in winning form?

We were fortunate to start the season with two strong results before facing some higher skilled teams. A tie in less than kind weather against Flushing was a decent result for us, but we need to find out what players fit best in which positions to be able to give our best match after match.

8. Is there anything that you have changed in your program from your first season as coach till now?

I have added more of a mental component to the girls season this year. The girls made a list of affirmations that they wrote down and keep somewhere that they can revisit them when they need them. They need to be able to believe in themselves as an individual.