After a 29-year run as head varsity coach for Loveland Women’s Soccer, Todd Kelly stepped down. Coach Kelly’s career had many success stories, including winning the 2017 Division I State Championship and being the 2015 state runners-up. This makes many question why he would step down as well as if the new coach is going to be good enough for the team. Just recently, Kelly announced his replacement to be Craig Chmiel.
Coach Chmiel has an expansive history of coaching, including a varsity assistant coaching position for men’s soccer at Summit Country Day, as well as Springboro. Having been involved in the sport for three decades, Chmiel is beyond qualified for this new position as head varsity coach.
This, however, is not the only change being made in the program as Chmiel announced that aside from him becoming the new coach, there will also be new assistant varsity and junior varsity coaches. This new coaching staff has already led the varsity team to an undefeated 4-0-1 record as of September 5th, 2024. When asked what she thought of the new coaching staff, varsity captain Alexis Harden (12) stated, “The change has been really good for [Loveland Women’s Soccer]...I really like it a lot.” Harden has been on varsity for multiple years, so this statement really highlights the benefits of change within the program.
Aside from new coaches, changes made within the women’s soccer program include what they wear, communication techniques, and even pre-game fuel for the athletes. The coaching staff decided to completely remodel the looks of Loveland Women’s Soccer. Right away, the players saw this change within the summer tryout process with new scrimmage uniforms, balls, pennies, and socks. As the season began, this change progressed to new uniforms, shorts, jackets, sweatshirts, practice jerseys, and even personal bags.
This new season of change hasn’t just been material objects; on off days the varsity and junior varsity teams enjoy a team dinner as a chance to bond within each of the two teams. This change has brought the team closer together, on and off the field. Even the communication aspect has changed, with Coach Chmiel making occasional motivational videos of the girls and sending out personal texts to group chats of the players for the weekly plan, in addition to emails.
Before games, the players have the option to enjoy a discounted healthy snack from their new local sponsor, Better Blend. Junior varsity captain Sophia Aliaga (10) and her family played a significant role in setting up this sponsorship; when asked what she thought of Better Blend, Aliaga stated, “[Better Blend] is great to have before a game…it fuels us and is delicious.”
Overall, the changes seen throughout the program do not go unnoticed. Whether it’s on or off the field, the changes have made a very positive impact on the Loveland Women’s Soccer program and continue to help the team improve and grow.
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