Editor’s note: This is one in a series of articles featuring the Lawrence soccer teams that participate in the Premier league of Heartland Soccer Assn.

I spoke with U13 Kaw Valley Force team managet Kathy Neet about a number of things ranging from the girls progress so far this season, their classification in Division 2 and what the biggest challenges have been for them this season. The U13 girls have about four more weekends left in their Spring schedule, which concludes Memorial Day weekend at a tournament in Nebraska.

How many players are on the U13 Girls Division 2 team?

16

Are there any standouts this season?

The team has several standouts, but it is more of a team effort.

“Everybody has their positions and knows their assignments,” Neet said. “We have good goalies, strong midfielders and good point scoring potential in our forwards.”

What makes the team a Division 2 team?

The divisions are divided up by levels: A is the top level, Division 1 is next, followed by Division 2

“We have been in Division 2 most of the time,” Neet said. “With team changes and with the loss and gain of players we want to make sure the girls are comfortable to pass the ball to their teammates.”

What competition does the team have?

Teams from Kansas City, Manhattan, Nebraska and Oklahoma

Where are games played?

Heritage Park in Olathe as part of the Heartland Soccer Assn. league

What are some goals of the team this season?

Our goals include: work with improving the passing skills of veteran players and integrating new players on the team.

“Our speed has increased greatly,” Neet said. “We are working on the strategy of the game and the ability to execute plays.”

What are you most looking forward to during the season?

“I just love to watch the girls play,” Neet said. “It is fun to watch our core girls who started out with the team grow and develop and deepen their understanding of the game. It’s really rewarding to see them grow as players”

What are the biggest challenges facing the team this season?

The biggest challenge is retaining team members and scoring points.

“We lost 90-percent of the team to Junior High track, which made practices a challenge for awhile,” Neet said.

“We also want to improve our shot taking potential,” Neet said. “We have a couple of really good scorers on the team who can do it, they just have to believe.”

What has been the team’s best playing experience so far this season?

The team came back to face a team that previously defeated the Force and played a lot better against them the second time around.

“Last fall we played a game against the Kansas City Ambush and lost 6-0,” Neet said. “This spring we played tem and only lost 1-0. It was good to measure our improvement.”

What is the team’s season record so far?

One win, two ties and two losses

What is the team’s most anticipated game of the season?

The team’s out-of- town season finale tournament in Columbus, Neb., over Memorial Day weekend will be the highlight of the Force’s spring season.