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Izzy Dupre runs the ball down the field while Broooksi Speed attempts to steal during Cathedral's soccer practice Wednesday at McLaurin Elementary School in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Cathedral Soccer players play against each other during practice Wednesday at McLaurin Elementary School in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat) Wednesday

Natalie Smith dribbles the ball during a drill at Cathedral's soccer practice Wednesday at McLaurin Elementary School in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Brooksie Speed dribbles the ball during a drill at Cathedral's soccer practice Wednesday at McLaurin Elementary School in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Molie Anderson dribbles the ball during a drill at Cathedral's soccer practice Wednesday at McLaurin Elementary School in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Cathedral Soccer players stand together after a drill Wednesday at McLaurin Elementary School in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat) practice at Mc

Samyria Gibson dribbles the ball uring a drill at Cathedral's soccer practice Wednesday at McLaurin Elementary School in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Cathedral Soccer coach gives feedback to his team after running a drill Wednesday at McLaurin Elementary School in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Erinn Williams chases after the ball during Cathedral's soccer practice Wednesday at McLaurin Elementary School in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

By TIM GUERCIO

THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT

NATCHEZ — Cathedral girls soccer team is in full practice mode this summer.

Head coach Dennis Hogue of the Cathedral boys and girls soccer programs said the season starts early every year and their first game will be on Aug. 5, when they play Parklane Academy of McComb.

The Lady Green Wave had a record of 8-4 last season.

Hogue, 56, said he started playing soccer on a regular basis while he was in college at the University of Southern Mississippi, and fell in love with game.

Hogue said the U.S. Women’s Team’s recent World Cup win could certainly be a motivation for young players.

“We are all on group text messaging so I let everybody know when all the games were going to be on TV,” Hogue said. “My message to the team was, watch, learn, be inspired.”

Hogue said at this point in the season he has the team working on skill drills.

“This game is just like basketball,” Hogue said, “only we handle the ball with our feet. You have to learn how to control the ball. You have to learn how to dribble the ball. You have to learn how to pass the ball. After you pass the ball, then you learn how to find an open space and fill it and look for a pass. The language we use is the same in basketball, dribble, pass, shoot, defend.”

Soccer is a team sport, Hogue said.

“One person can’t control the whole game,” Hogue said.

With a loss of five seniors from last year’s team, Hogue said he has the top three goal scorers coming back.

“Two top goal scorers are back, and they are only sophomores,” Hogue said. “They are Gracie Foster and Izzy Dupre. Our team MVP from last year is senior Olivia Moore. She is fast and has a leg like a cannon.”

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