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Covering Monmouth, Dallas, Independence and Falls City since 1868 |
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| Protiva returns to lead CHS girls soccer |
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| She was in charge when the program debuted in 1998. |
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By Sam Scott
INDEPENDENCE -- It's back to the future for the Central girls soccer program with the return of Karen Protiva as the team's head coach.
Protiva was the squad's head coach at the program's inception in 1998 and stayed through 2002. She replaces Tom Patton, who coached the Lady Panthers for the past four seasons.
Protiva is well-known in the area soccer community and has been working with teams from Central Youth Sports for the past several years.
"A lot of the girls I've been coaching over the previous years are beginning high school now as freshmen," Protiva said. "I'd like to help them along and see them grow. I'm familiar with the girls and their parents. I think they're comfortable with me and my skill-level as far as coaching. I think that will help the program continue to grow.
"The girls I'll be working with will be more skilled individually than when we first started the program. I want them to grow as a unit, as a whole. I want them to learn the real flow of the game instead of individual play."
Protiva indicated she's learned a thing or two since her first coaching stint at CHS and will implement a program to help avoid knee injuries.
"you always continue to grow and mature," she said. "I've been to some clinics and continue to upgrade my program. One thing I've learned is that girls are very prone to tearing the ACL in their knees. I'm working on a balance, strength and flexibility program to try and avoid ACL tears. It'll help their soccer, too."
While the Central boys soccer team is among the best in Class 4A, the girls program has met with less success and still is seeking its first postseason berth.
"I haven't researched it all out, but some of it might be because the boys have the opportunity to play soccer year-round," Protiva said. "Many of the boys play on club teams as well as the high school team. The girls haven't developed into that kind of group, yet. A lot of them play basketball in the winter and softball in the spring. Not many of them play soccer year-round. I think that's what's been holding them back.
"I'm really thrilled to be back. I'm excited to coach these girls and get them moving in a positive manner so we can really get girls soccer going here in the Central school district."
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