PHOTO GALLERY: Precision gets Charter girls’ soccer team ‘W’s

Precision. That is what Tony Smith, Marco Island Charter Middle School soccer coach, preaches.

It obviously works. His Lady Eagles soccer team is 4-0 this season and lost just one game last year.

“We play format soccer, we have no stars,” he says. “The idea is to move the ball, with the wings finding a cross shot.”

What that means is there is no one who goes it alone, on offense or defense, or they sit on the sideline.

Smith is a serious mate, who says he got his training method while in Britain’s Grenadier Guards. The Grenadier Guards have always been a forward-thinking infantry regiment. The variety and challenging nature of dismounted infantry soldiering has seen the regiment at the forefront of some of the most intense combat situations, spanning centuries.

For Smith it was Northern Ireland where he spent 2 1/2 years battling terrorists.

A section commander, over 12 men, Smith said, “Proper planning and prior preparation presents poor performance. There wasn’t room for mistakes, it could cost a life.

“Obviously coaching soccer has no life or death consequences, but what I learned from being with the Grenadiers is a format that easily transfers,” he said.

Smith took over coaching soccer when Jaclyn Sauter went on maternity leave last fall. Smith said he is carrying on for Sauter who put an outstanding program together over four years.

Smith coached the boys team in the fall and now the girls.

“The boys were a good bunch, but the girls listen better,” Smith said.

Talented athletes, many who play multiple school sports, give Smith a strong starting point.

“They are mentally strong and want to win,” Smith said. “And so do I. There are some parents who call me, asking why their child didn’t play more in a game. Where I can I make sure everyone plays.”

Everyone played against Seacrest in an easy 7-0 victory. While Seacrest had the spirit, they did not have the talent. As the Lady Eagles got on a roll their pressure was relentless, on offense and defense. Seacrest did not have a shot on goal the entire game, while the poor Seacrest goalie was peppered from all sides.

When Smith reports the results he never lists who scored the goals.

“Listing those who score goals might make them more conscious about scoring, taking away from team play,” he said. Instead he lists the “MVPs,” those who led the team in a particular game.

Names that have made the list include Jessica Andrade, Jenny Carter, Casssidy Penzo, Catherine Remaks, Savanah Spina, Morgan Burke, Michela Smith, Claudine Bolsen, Christy Thorstenson, Adrienne Collins, Lexie Lundquist and goalie Frankie Archacki. He always stresses that all the team played well.

Interesting to note, he named 12 of his 20 team members. He could have named Amanda Marinaro, Lauren Hanscom, Hanna Clark, Madison Park, Ashley Schneller, Annie Rosenblum, Monika Lara and goalie Katie Kirstein.

“We just have a really good team,” he said.

Waiting in the wings are the junior varsity, all sixth graders. They include Ellie Bennett, Areesa Chaudhry, Brooke Cleary, Ariana Garousi, Abbey Goldman, Peyton Haire, Haley Havemeier, Sara Hine, Alyssa Lopez, Ariana Maher, Victoria Mann, Daniela Marroquin, Savannah Rose, Katie Schiller, Aubrey Smith and Vayda Wasem.