Defending Class 1 champs focus on encore

~ St. Vincent girls return plenty of experience from last year's 20-5 team

The St. Vincent Indians have a new role this year.

After capturing the school's first state title in girls soccer last spring, the Indians are no longer the underdog -- they're the target.

"I think all eyes are on us," senior midfielder Rachel Sutterer said. "We have a target on our back. Everybody is trying to beat us. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to push each other. We have expectations, and obviously we're going to want to be there [state] again."

The Indians are coming off a season in which they went 20-5 and knocked off Trinity Catholic 3-1 in the Class 1 championship game.

All but three graduated seniors return from that team.

"The three girls we lost were very good players," senior defender Kristin Mattingly said. "But we gained some players and we still have a lot of our key players."

That returning experience hopefully will pay off for St. Vincent.

Coach Dustin Wengert almost walked away from the program after last season, but the girls and the returning talent gave him second thoughts.

"I always say that it's one more year," Wengert said. "I coach boys basketball at Valle High School, coming off a season like basketball it's so long and draining and you don't know how recharged your batteries will be.

"But you get around these girls and their attitude and drive is amazing. It recharges things. I knew what we had coming back and I didn't know if I wanted to leave that. These girls really trust in me, and that's a big thing."

Wengert brings eight seniors, four juniors, eight sophomores and four freshmen into the season. It's a healthy combination of veterans and rookies.

Wengert expects the Indians to have a major advantage in the experience category.

"Experience is key," Wengert said. "I think everybody was nervous last year, including myself. With the expectations and the experience, you can only figure the sky is the limit with these girls and you hope they take that experience and add to it."

His players acknowledge they'll have the upper hand in experience.

"It helps us a lot," Mattingly said. "We know what we're up against this year. Last year we weren't as sure."

Another strong suit for the Indians is speed, as the Indians boast multiple weapons from the midfield to forward.

"Speed is definitely one of our strong points," Sutterer said. "It's always been a key factor in the way we play soccer."

Sutterer said another aspect that makes this team special is the camaraderie.

"We're a group of girls that acts like a big family and I think that helps as well," Sutterer said. "We're all making jokes. That adds a lot."

But with all the strengths and returning talent, the pressure is mounting for the Indians.

"We have a lot of pressure on us," Mattingly said. "Everyone knows we are good this year. Last year they didn't know we were good. We have a target on our backs."

Wengert agrees.

"I think the pressure is within," Wengert said. "I think we know how it feels like and we know what it's going to take. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves. The community will support us whether we win it or we lose. I like the fact these girls are [still] hungry with one [state title]. Now as seniors, they don't want to go out on a losing note. That's what they're really gunning for us, is going out with a win."

The key for another successful season for the Indians lies in not getting caught up in the expectations and pressure, or as Sutterer hinted -- going back to last year's mindset.

"We definitely have to push ourselves," Sutterer said. "We are confident in ourselves, but that can also be a weakness as well. We have to push ourselves and act like we're the underdog again."