Griz soccer team making the most of limited time

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Most people in Missoula count down the days to summer – time often filled with vacation, sunshine and relaxation on the river. For head soccer coach Mark Plakorus, though, his focus is on the days when summer comes to a close.

The Montana women's soccer program reported for fall camp on Tuesday, holding its first practice sessions on Wednesday. It marked the first time Plakorus has had his entire team together on the soccer field since the spring, and the first time ever with the incoming freshmen.

"For me, the summer seems to drag on forever," he said. "It feels like I don't get to see my team for an eternity. To have them back and watch them compete and be on the field and try to get better is what I do and what I enjoy doing most."

Don't get Plakorus wrong, he does enjoy summertime. But when you're given less than three weeks to work through your team's kinks before you put it all into play for the season's first competition, it's easy to see why Plakorus is eager to be back.

It's not just him, though. Taryn Miller, a junior defender from Greenacres, Wash., also says it's nice to get everyone back together.

"A lot of players go home for the summer, so the best part of fall camp is being back together as one big family," she said.

Sure, they're a team and not an actual family. But with the amount of time spent together during fall camp, that's essentially what they are. With the pressure to get ready for the season in a short period of time, the Griz make the most of each of those days.

First order of business is fitness training, at 7 a.m. From there, the transition is to a morning practice, running from 8 to approximately 10:30. Ice baths and treatment are next, followed by lunch to fuel up. Finally, around 12:30, a break.

But only for a short period of time. At 4 p.m., the team reconvenes for meetings, whether as positions or a group. Then it's back to the field for a night practice, followed by a team dinner.

"Then it starts all over again," Miller said with a smile.

Back at it for the second day of fall camp! #FightUniteWin pic.twitter.com/MLbKSGqkSw
— Montana Griz Soccer (@MontanaGrizSOC) August 3, 2017

Last year, the Griz welcomed two freshmen. This year, the number is 13. So there's an extra emphasis on getting the team prepared as one cohesive unit.

Plakorus calls the first couple of days of fall camp "review sessions." A lot of it involves teaching the new players principles and terminology and trying to bring them up to speed as quickly as possible. Eventually, they'll move into group work and systems.

"It's always a challenge because you don't have a lot of time," Plakorus said. "At the same time, these girls are high-level players who have played at good places and for good coaches. They catch on pretty quickly; it's just giving them enough repetition without wearing them down."

Raye Burton, a midfielder from Centennial, Colo., is one of UM's 13 freshmen. She's noticed the mental and physical toll that two or three practices a day can take on a player, but it has been made easier, she says, by the upperclassmen.

"It was so easy to step into this team because everyone is so nice and inviting," she said. "Everyone is so good about keeping us on top of things and helping us and answering questions."

Plus, despite the heavy workload, she noted: "There's a lot to learn, but it's still soccer, so it's still fun."

Three practices in, Plakorus likes what he sees so far. He says his players have come in fit and he can tell both the newcomers and veterans prepared themselves well during the summer months on their own.

"It's not easy to have the discipline when no one is watching, but I'm very pleased with how they've done that," he said. "They're competing hard and trying to do what we're asking them to do. Now we just have to keep getting better."

They'll have the chance to do that this evening, with their third session of the day.

Officially on the field for our first practice of the season! #FightUniteWin pic.twitter.com/ZOUWTHj5bN
— Montana Griz Soccer (@MontanaGrizSOC) August 2, 2017

University of Montana Athletics

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