DORSET - There will be a new coach prowling the sidelines for the Long Trail girls soccer team this season. With long-time head coach Sean Sonderman teaching in England for two years, the Lynx has handed the girls program to Trevor Daniel, an experienced coach at the club and development team level.

Daniel has taken a different approach early on this season, spending the first week of the season working on the technical side of the game.

"The girls are really enthusiastic," said Daniel. "They are eager to learn and get better every time they come out."

Getting the team used to his approach has not been difficult for Daniel, he said. He expects the best from his team and so far they have worked hard.

"I have been a little bit hard on them," said Daniel. "I am not going to give them less than the best. I am keeping my standards and my philosophies about the game, so far I have not had to compromise at all. The girls have really been giving a 100 percent."

One advantage for Daniel and the team is that there are not a lot of returning players on the team. Most of the players are starting from scratch as is Daniel. Those players who are returning have been helping the coach to get the newer girls up to speed on the high school game.

"It's very encouraging to see the young ladies helping each other out and trying to make sure the entire team is strong," said Daniel. "Based on the last week and a half, there are some girls whose personalities will make

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them leaders."

Daniel will probably rely on some returning players, but with positions not pinned down, he used the first week to learn the team and the players. He plans on using the rest of the preseason to pin down who will play each position on the field.

"For the past week we have worked on technique, touches, the foundations of the game that they need to get right," said Daniel. "Positions I am hoping to get down this week. Hopefully get the team playing like a full soccer team as the season progresses."

For this season at least, Daniel is not going to put to much emphasis on wins and losses. He wants the players to improve each game and have fun.

"Our philosophy is to go out and show what you learned," said Daniel. "If the girls go out and show what they learned, they may win, they may not win, but at the end of the day they will become better soccer players."

Long Trail will open the season on the road at Stratton Mountain School on Tuesday, Sept. 4. They will open at home against Bellows Falls on Thursday, Sept. 6.

"What I really want is for every girl to have a blast when they are on the field," said Daniel. "That is my goal for the team. I am going to ask them to show what they learned and have fun."