By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports Report
ATHENS — As always, longtime Athens girls soccer coach Rich Pitts is glad to be back on the field as the Wildcats prepare for the 2025 season.
"I love it. It's my favorite day of the year," said Pitts in reference to Day 1 of preseason camp.
"We have 26 out for the team this year, and I'm pleased with that," noted Pitts. "It's a good workable number."
Pitts said his girls didn't have many obligations to the team over the summer.
"The girls got a fitness packet that they work on, and we had some open sessions, but for the most part I give them the summer off," he said. "They're going to get enough of me."
Pitts said the focus of camp changes as it progresses.
"Fitness is always in the books, but we're working some of it into our sessions.
"Like today, we're doing 1-v-1, really concentrating on battling those individual battles, then we'll play a little 2-v-2," he said.
"The morning session is just about small-sided and how it plays into the big game," added Pitts.
Athens will take part in a four-team scrimmage Saturday at Hughesville.
The Wildcats open the season Aug. 26 at home when they host Wellsboro.
——————————
IN PHOTO 1: Athens coach Rich Pitts. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
