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Club Team Central
This page is devoted to our two "Club" teams we had here at CHS. It began in 1997 and was continued in 1998 until Soccer was included in school sports that were sponsored by CAPS. The girls who played on these teams were special because without their willingness to endure all of the issues that come with being a "Club" team, soccer may have never begun; they played because they loved to play and didn't care how they were received. Some students attended games, but it was mostly parents who watched in amazement as these girls gave everything they had, playing a sport that many of them were new to. Their lack of ability and skill , when compared to the competition they faced, was made up for ten times over with their heart and willingness to work to get better. These girls played hard, and often times played hurt, because of their love for the game. The most recent addition to the "Club" teams at Coops is our Junior High "Club" team, which started in 2004 and will continue in 2005. These future Lady Broncos are also blazing a new trail, getting prepared for their time to shine on the field for CHS. Below you'll find the CHS team pictures and a description of the teams and some remembrances from the coach and others.
 | | 1997 CHS Club Team |
Back row (Left to Right) Coach Pat Harig, Marie Maddix, Jeni Millard, Jesse Dykehouse, Gail Gish, Krisha Dufendach, Carinn Umlor, Salena Sherman, Angela Hecksel, Brianne Andrews Front row (Left to Right) Mandy Venhuizen, Trisha Cook, Amanda Carpenter, Anna Boersma, Meghan Lindberg, Louisa Boersma, Laura Oxender.
The 1997 team was special. They were the first ever girls soccer team at CHS. They were a club team; they paid for all expenses related to the season themselves, the coach donated his time as a volunteer, and girls soccer was born in Coopersville.
Dave Alderink, City of Coopersville Recreation Director, was a key player in this season and was always helping with incidentals and lending support at every turn. Jim Meerman, who was the Athletic Director at CHS at the time, was helpful and supportive of the team.
The parents were very supportive of this team, making sure they knew they had fans watching their moves and encouraging them to continue to work hard.
Players friends attended games and watched, as people they never knew could play sports, achieved some great moments during the course of the season. If that was confusing, consider this; of the 16 members on the 1997 team, only 2 had ever played any kind of organized soccer.
The first game, held on April 15, 1997 was at Coopersville (Vet's Park) and the girls played well, but lost to West Catholic 3-1. Amanda Carpenter scored the only goal for Coops.
After 5 opening losses, on May 2, 1997, the girls got their first win. Playing at home, they scored six times and held Cedar Springs to two for the 6-2 final. Goal scorers for Coops were Amanda Carpenter (2), Krisha Dufendach, Marie Maddix, Carinn Umlor, and Salena Sherman. Jeni Millard was the winning keeper.
The team finished the season with 3 more wins and 2 more losses for a final record of 4-7. Not overly impressive to the normal onlooker, but it was miles for a bunch of girls who decided they wanted to play, and found a way to do it.
They also managed to impress a few people along the way.
 | | 1998 CHS Club Team |
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