By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports Report
WAVERLY — Great weather and good numbers had longtime Waverly girls soccer coach Tara Hogan happy to be back on the field as preseason practice got under way Monday for the 2026 season.
"It always feels good to be back on the field, and the weather helps a lot because you are so used to having really, really hot days; this is great," said Hogan.
"We have a big freshman group — eight I believe — that came up from the modified last year and I see a lot of promise. We have a big junior group, too," added Hogan. "It's definitely a good mix and the kids that are experienced, whether it's club or just with our program."
Hogan said the main focus of the preseason is working on making more of her players able to play multiple positions.
"Our preseason focus?" said Hogan. "It's funny, I just brought this up to the girls. We need to see what players we can make as versatile as possible.
"We have a lot of girls who are kind of pigeon-holing themselves, or have been pigeon-holed in the past, where I've only had them in a certain spot or on a certain line" noted Hogan.
"The focus is making them as versatile as possible because I feel there are a few players that we either can't afford to move anywhere else because they're so good where they are, or we can't move them anywhere else because they can't handle a new position just yet," added Hogan.
"We are also working on conditioning, and making sure we stay healthy and keep the numbers up," said Hogan.
Waverly will host a four-team scrimmage next Monday with SVEC, Tioga, and Horseheads on hand.
The Wolverines open the 2026 campaign at home against Owego on Sept. 1.
IN PHOTO: Waverly coach Tara Hogan. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
