Dragons mastering soccer skills

The Lake Placid High School varsity girls soccer team held their first annual summer soccer camp this past weekend.

It was a three-day, two-night camp held at the Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center.

This was a very successful camp where the girls developed new skills, mastered old skills, and the squad bonded as a team in preparation for the upcoming high school soccer season.

With several young returning core players and a strong incoming group of freshmen, Green Dragon girls soccer coach John Merlo and his coaching staff felt holding a camp was crucial for the development and success of such a young team.

"It's always difficult to build a team back up after losing 13 seniors," Merlo said. "Six of which were starters last year.

"This is not a rebuilding year; it's a reloading year because of the hard work that the girls have already demonstrated thus far, at camp, and at the rigorous summer workouts."

Coach Merlo and his coaching staff would like to thank the sponsors of the camp: Ole South Auto Salvage, The Lake Placid Athletic Association, and South Ridge Soccer Club.

They would also like to thank their volunteers: Eulsi Ambrosio, Michelle Collision, Cindy Thompson and Jordan Merlo for their time and hard work at the camp.

The high school soccer season begins in November and the young Lake Placid squad will have to adjust quickly to the pace and skill level of the varsity game to be successful.

"The girls have put in a lot of work and that's an important part of the process of becoming a good team," the veteran Green Dragon coach said. "We've got a lot of talented athletes, the girls have a great attitude and I feel we have taken big steps for another successful season."