How offseason training differs for Division 3 soccer programs

Conn. College head coach Norm Riker. (Geoffrey Bolte/Clarus Studios Inc.)

Editor’s note: This story appeared in our Winter 2019 magazine as part of our “offseason training” issue.

On Dec. 1, Williams walked off the pitch at UNC-Greensboro’s Soccer Stadium with the NCAA championship trophy, defeating NESCAC rival Middlebury in penalty kicks. A save from Williams goalkeeper Olivia Barnhill on the penalty kick from Middlebury’s Clare Robinson ended the game and the 2018 season.

While Williams and Middlebury competed, their competitors already were preparing for the 2019 season. Coaches and players who weren’t as fortunate as these two programs to compete for the national championship already were hard at work, hoping to be in that position the following season.

“It’s weird for me not to exercise,” MIT midfielder Sophia Struckman said. “I plan to start working out pretty soon within the next couple days (of the conclusion of the season). What usually happens is a few days I’m so sore. This year, it was a week. We had Thanksgiving, so I didn’t work out over there, but the next week I started running and lifting.”