TENNERTON – Jason Piacente is conducting his first Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Buc soccer camp after being named the program’s new head coach this summer.
Piacente will be the program’s third head coach in the last three years as he looks to bring some stability to that position.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be the new head coach of the girls’ varsity team and I am looking forward to the things we can accomplish this year and years to come,” stated Piacente. “One of the first things I told them is that I am fully committed to this team and plan to be here for years to come because coaching soccer is a passion of mine and I hope to share that with the team.”
Piacente welcomed 23 players to camp this week with the roster showing eight seniors, five juniors, six sophomores and four freshmen.
“Overall, I am happy with the turnout we had on day one,” stated Piacente. “However, I do think we are fairly low on numbers for maybe having a junior varsity team. It is still possible we will be able to field a junior varsity team, but we will have to see how things play out with the roster.”
Piacente said that the first week of practice has gone well thus far.
“This first week has been going fantastic,” stated Piacente. “The main goals for us this week are to evaluate all the players and build team chemistry.”
Piacente remarked that coming into camp, all starting positions are open for any player to grab.
“I always tell the players I coach that every starting job is open at the start of the season and it is your job to earn and keep that starting position,” remarked Piacente. “Anything can happen during a season so it can change anytime.”
Piacente stated the transition from being the boy’s middle school coach last season to the Lady Buc head coach has been an easy one thanks to the support of the administration and other coaches.
“I just want to thank my assistant Logan Kelley, the boys coaches Mike Donato and Brian Brandish, athletic director Rick Reynolds and even the players for making this transition to this job so easy and answering any questions I had,” said Piacente.
The Lady Bucs are slated to open their season Saturday, Aug. 19 hosting Morgantown at 11 a.m.
