Lots of learning in Young's first season

DONNELLSON — Jess Young has learned a lot in her first season as Central Lee’s girls soccer coach.
She hopes what her players have learned will translate into a better year next season.
The Hawks lost 7-0 to Canton (Mo.) on Tuesday night to fall to 0-12.
It’s been an education for Young.
“I’ve learned a lot,” she said. “This is my first year. The culture is different than when I played. I’m from a different area, and I’ve learned a lot here.”
The Hawks were shut out for the fifth consecutive match, failing to mount much of an attack for most of the match.

Central Lee’s defense held Canton scoreless for the first 13 ½ minutes until Chayse Uhlmeyer scored twice in the span of 40 seconds. Canton got two more goals, including Uhlmeyer’s third of the night, to lead 4-0 at halftime.
The Hawks had a similar defensive start to the second half, keeping Canton scoreless for the first 10 ½ minutes before the Lady Tigers scored three times in the span of six minutes, including the fourth goal by Uhlmeyer.
Young has been coaching with a 16-player roster that has just three seniors. Combine that with injuries that have sometimes limited the Hawks’ options, and it’s been a recipe for some of the Hawks’ struggles.
“Not having enough players to work with has been challenging,” Young said. “When someone gets hurt and comes out, we have to replace them with someone who doesn’t have a lot of experience.”
The Hawks have two more regular-season matches — Thursday at Williamsburg and next Monday at West Branch — before heading into the postseason.
“We just have to keep motivating the ones who will be here next year, and let them know what’s coming next year,” Young said. We’re going to have different expectations.
“Next year we’re going to do a lot more training ahead of time, and work on being more aggressive, work on our conditioning and the basic skills as well.”