Dartmouth High School’s girls soccer team is back on the field and getting ready for its first game against West Bridgewater on Oct. 7.

Coach Scot Boudria said that despite rule changes for pandemic safety — including wearing masks at all times, banning headers, changing corner kicks, and remaining socially distanced on the field — practices have been going fine.

“We’re adapting for sure,” he said. 

Team co-captain and Dartmouth High senior Kristen Medeiros said that the team is trying to make the best of the changes.

“I find it hard to wear a mask when running up and down the field,” she noted. “But the more we wear it the more comfortable we get.”

“We’re adjusting,” she added.

Medeiros said that it’s great to be practicing again in any case. 

With virtual learning, she said, “We’re staying at home all day for six hours,” so she and her teammates really enjoy “getting out here on the field, with fresh air, and seeing friends again.”

Boudria said that the team is in its third week of preseason practice right now. “We’ve had a total of ten practices,” he said. “Usually preseason, we scrimmage three times...When you don’t have that, it’s tough.”

But he added that he’s known several of the girls for four years after coaching them in junior varsity soccer, so they’ve bonded — and with 13 seniors on the team, they know each other as well.

“The kids have been great, they’ve been patient,” he said. “They are incredibly talented.”

And not having a season this year, he said, “would break my heart.”

As for the season opening home game against West Bridgewater — which as of press time has yet to take place — Boudria said, “Win or lose, it will be enjoyable for sure.”

“Every single person will tell you, anyone who’s playing right now — we’re just happy to play,” he added.