The Davenport West soccer team has wanted a turf field for a very long time and after many years they are finally getting what they have always wanted. Some people might think that the field will be for both football and soccer but to many of the soccer players’ surprise, the field is going to be mainly theirs and will be available for other groups to use when necessary.
”Football would have an opportunity to use it and the band could use it because they need football field lines to work on, and when it’s muddy over there, they could go over on that field. The new field will be a great new addition for the soccer team,” said athletic director Michelle Lillis.
Many people dislike the old field because of the mud and the field conditions, like senior Sebastian Narvaez, who has played for West since he was a freshman when they didn’t even think they would ever have a turf field.
“I think that’s a really good idea, you know, especially because we had a lot of trouble last year, especially with the field. Some days it would get wet and it would just be a disaster for us players to play on. So, with the whole new turf and the construction going on I’m really excited about it. I have great expectations for the new soccer season,” said Narvaez.
With the new field, many staff and students are excited, including the boys soccer coach. Although he just took over the program last season, he has seen the condition of the previous field and that is why he was thrilled to hear that they are getting a new and improved turf field.
”So as the soccer coach, or at least the boys head soccer coach, I’m very excited to get a new field. I think it shows that Davenport West is heading in a good direction, where we get to see improvements. I’m hoping that this leads to more kids getting involved, which is one of the big things that I feel high school needs,” said John Nikolopolous.
The girls soccer coach also had some problems with the field; she had concerns for her players and for the opposing players. She said that the grass was very unstable and the holes that were on the field did not help.
“It was hard to keep up with the field. We definitely had some bumps along the road but we’re lucky we didn’t have any major injuries. The field is also on the small side in my opinion,” said Coach Ana Bross
Many players are excited to be able use the field but the ones but the ones that are most excited as the coach they have had their concern about the field when to mud and bumps on the field the bumps have caused injury to player and the mud have result in polayer cloth to lose color due to the amount of time they have to wash them on daily bases.
“It sucked a lot because it was very muddy and my clothes got really dirty. I had to wash them countless times, and my gloves slowly lost grip because of the field,” said senior and goalie Ryan Diaz.
Since the turf is estimated to be finished by March, that is when the field will be accessible for the players or anyone who intends on using it for that specific day.