COLUMBIA — The Rock Bridge girls soccer team captured its second consecutive victory with a 2-1 win over Jefferson City on Tuesday night at Rock Bridge to keep new coach Marc VanDover undefeated this season.
Sophomore Sarah Humphrey and junior Kelsey Whittet both scored in the second half for the Bruins (3-4). Nearly five minutes after the Bruins’ second goal, Kinsey Shouse scored for Jefferson City (2-7) on a penalty kick.
VanDover replaced three-year varsity coach Kelly Gates, who resigned Friday. Rock Bridge Athletic Director Jennifer Mast said Gates left for personal reasons.
VanDover, who had coached the Rock Bridge girls soccer team from 2003 to 2006, accepted an open position as junior varsity coach last season.
“I got out of coaching for a couple of years, and really missed being around student athletes,” VanDover said.
VanDover said the team held a seven-hour practice Saturday to restructure its game mentality.
“We’ve really had to evaluate the entire program,” VanDover said. “As we looked at the program and where we wanted it to go, we had to start from scratch.”
The morning practice concentrated on fundamental ball movement and team formations, but also included a bagel breakfast and reviewing film from previous games.
“There has been a few attitude games as a team,” VanDover said. “They’re definitely more positive. Win or lose out here tonight, or against Hickman last night, the attitude on the field is just contagious.”
VanDover said the team is not concerned about its record heading into its next home game against Quincy on Thursday night.
“I don’t even look at the record, what I want them to do is enjoy this game and continually get better and take something away from this every single day,” VanDover said. “Its not about wins and losses, its about getting better and about getting ready for districts.”