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Soccer begins tryouts, excited for upcoming season

For the first time in 2020, jerseys were being worn on the St. Louis U. High soccer field on Monday and Tuesday night. No, it was not SLUH vs De Smet or another MCC Rival, but Jr. Bill. vs. Jr. Bill as tryouts were held for the SLUH soccer program. Originally scheduled for the week of Aug. 12, tryouts had been postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the loosening of restrictions by the city this past week, they’re now on.  
    Before this week, the SLUH soccer program was engaging only in low contact, fitness-related activities. For a five-week period, over 40 varsity hopeful players continued to show up, not knowing if they were going to play or not. 
“It's been very difficult and confusing for everyone,” said junior Andrew Thompson. “It's been tough to adjust and we didn’t know if we were going to have a season. 
However, the lifted restrictions allowed them to go 10 v 10 for the first time this season. 
Late Sunday night, an email from varsity head coach Bob O’Connell was sent to prospective players announcing that tryouts would take place the following two days. The worries of  Thompson and countless other players of not having a season were put to rest. 
When players arrived on Monday, reversible blue and white jerseys that had a unique number on the front were handed out. Teams were then formed of the senior, junior, and invited underclassmen for the 10 v 10 format. These teams competed against each other, giving coaches the opportunity to watch the players in a game-like environment. The varsity coaches present remained silent, observing and making notes, and O'Connell, although quarantined at home due to COVID exposure, was present at the tryouts via Zoom, examining players from the press box.  
The occurrence of tryouts early this week proved to be a satisfying reward to the players who could only stand by and hope for loosened restrictions by St. Louis City. 
“After weeks of hard work, it's great to be out here just playing,” said junior Jared Thornberry. 
Tryouts for varsity players consisted of 20-minute scrimmages, full field from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.. The first game-like scenario players have had in months will prepare them for their upcoming season. 
“I think we will be allowed to compete at the earliest Oct. 3 or Oct. 6,” said O’Connell.  “We are moving quickly and hopefully we have a match this weekend or earlier next week.”
As SLUH soccer has already lost well over a month of their traditional fall season, O’Connell believes that varsity will try to compete Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday for the rest of the month, allowing soccer programs in St. Louis to still have a season with ten to 12 regular games. 
During the course of the season, health procedures will remain a prominent force even in a game environment. As of now, St. Louis City will not allow spectators into the stadium to watch games, and masks will continue to be worn when players are not actively competing. 
Although the soccer season has faced many setbacks and is being started much later than usual, all members of the SLUH soccer program remain positive and upbeat about even having a season. 
“I am just thrilled that the kids can get an opportunity to compete,” said O’Connell. “We’ve been together since early July, and we are going to have a lot of fun playing into October and hopefully late in November as well.” 
When the season starts underway, SLUH will be able to play against teams located in St. Louis County and City. However, the status of games that require travel, such as the Kansas City tournament, are still largely unknown. As well as games that are out of St. Louis County, postseason play is also largely a mystery. 
SLUH is in the same district as Chaminade and Kirkwood this year, but whether there will be a State Tournament is questionable. 

    
 

 

 


 

 

 

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