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That's certainly true of first-year Forest Area/Kingsley girls soccer coach Eric Szymchack, who takes over the program from former coach Ron Stremlow, now the school's athletic director.

Stremlow will continue to coach the girls volleyball team in the fall.

With 18 players on the roster, Szymchack does have some flexibility in using his bench liberally to keep everyone fresh, which will be key in the early part of the season.

And there are 10 veterans returning to help provide production and leadership in key positions.

Unfortunately, the Warriors lost their starting goalkeeper to an injury before the season and need to find a replacement.

Several players have indicated their willingness to try their hand at the position, but Szymchack would prefer to have an experienced person in goal.

Forest Area/Kingsley also has three freshmen on the team, but all of them have been involved in youth soccer or played in the middle school program. Experience shouldn't be a concern.

The Warriors practiced only two days before spring break, and opened the season Monday at home against Burt Lake in the first Northern Michigan Soccer League game of the season.

As always, weather is the key issue prior to the start of the season, with few teams able to get outside much before their first games.

Szymchack faces a particularly daunting challenge attempting to mold the Warriors into a finesse team, utilizing ball possession rather than physical strength.

"I'm looking for my starters from last year to provide the leadership early on," Szymchack said by phone Monday morning.

Emily Pojar and Cassie Magee are just two returning veterans Szymchack expects to play vital roles.

With a new goalkeeper between the pipes, Szymchack is counting on the defense to keep opposing teams from getting close to the Forest Area/Kingsley goal.

But, the Warriors are also trying to learn entirely new formations Szymchack hopes will improve their scoring opportunities.

It's a lot to learn in a short time.

"The girls are working on a lot of things they've never worked on before," Szymchack said. "We're working on people in different positions. We've had two or three people say they'll play goal, but we're stuck between a rock and a hard place.

"Defensively, we had a young team last year with two freshmen and two juniors. I'm expecting a little more leadership out of some of those players who played last year.

"But, again we're switching our style of play, and we'll see how it works out. The girls aren't quite used to me, and I'm not quite used to them."

He's been impressed with everyone's tremendous work ethic, and willingness to try something new.

"I've been impressed with the level of commitment they've brought," Szymchack said. "I was a little nervous at first, but the girls have really stepped up and showed that they want to learn, and that they want to be better players."

Szymchack hasn't come up with a set starting lineup yet, mainly because he hasn't been able to see the team go full tilt yet.

But he knows that the Warriors do have some quick and fast players, and others who have great ball control abilities.

Pulling it all together as a team will be the challenge.

"They're learning two different systems at the same time," Szymchack said. "We're learning how to play a possession game, a more finesse game versus a physical, over-the-top long ball style.

"Some of these girls haven't played a lot of soccer, and some of them have played four years.

"At times, you can see they're a little frustrated. But, they're grasping it and they're getting better."

Pojar and Magee are being asked to adjust to new positions, moving from the forward spots where they played last year to the midfield.

They're doing so without any complaints, and working hard to new their new positions.

Forest Area/Kingsley gets a baptism by fire playing three tough teams in the first week, beginning Monday's home opener against Burt Lake and continuing with Clare coming into town Tuesday, and then Benzie Central in the first road trip.