The start of the women’s college soccer season will bring a happy homecoming for a coach not far removed from the Fort Lewis College team.
Play in the Fort Lewis Women’s Soccer Classic will begin Thursday when the FLC Skyhawks’ Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference rival Colorado Mesa will oppose Midwestern State, the new home of longtime FLC head coach Damian Clarke, who resigned from FLC in July to accept the head coaching job of the Mustangs in Wichita Falls, Texas.
“It’s been good for me, to be honest,” Clarke said of his transition to Texas during a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “It’s been a bit of a hectic few weeks, but I think my family is settled in, and things have been good.”
Since announcing his resignation, Clarke has known about the looming date against FLC at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Dirks Field. He said he is ready to have the game over with, more than anything.
“I’m looking forward to playing my alma mater and friends for over 20 years. But it is emotional, and there is nothing easy about this,” Clarke said. “I’m looking forward to it more in the sense of getting it over with, not having to have this as a first-time experience, because I am sure it will happen more in the future with both of us being good programs in the region.”
Clarke admitted it will take a bit longer than a few weeks for his new team to fully adapt to the style of soccer he wants his team to play, but he is enjoying the process of growing with a new team that went 13-5-3 and reached the NCAA Division II Tournament a year ago.
“It is a work in progress. We are getting there, and there is no doubt the kids are improving and taking on the system well,” Clarke said. “In the same sense, it takes a full year for everyone to understand the language and communication style that I will have.”
Still, Clarke’s Mustangs were picked to finish first in the Lone Star Conference preseason coaches poll.
Clarke is the most decorated head coach in FLC women’s soccer history. He first came to Durango as a player on the men’s team in 1994, and he became the women’s head coach in 2007. He boasted a 106-31-17 record as the leader of the Skyhawks, giving him more wins than any coach in program history,
Under Clarke’s guidance, the Skyhawks reached five NCAA Division II Tournaments, including an elite eight appearance in 2010 and a Sweet 16 showing in 2011.
Now leading the FLC women is Jimmy Hall, one of Clarke’s old assistants who was promoted to interim head coach when Clarke resigned.
The two teams will face each other at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
“Traditionally, Texas teams are very direct. But, with Damian now at Midwestern, I expect they will possess the ball more,” Hall said. “I expect that group to be very disciplined and sharp.
“Their kids are talented and love to get in front of goal. They are going to be tough to defend for sure.”
First up for the Skyhawks is Texas Woman’s at 3 p.m. Thursday. The Pioneers went 5-11-2 overall and 0-8-1 on the road a season ago.
Hall is ready to see his young team begin the regular season, and two wins in the opening week could give the Skyhawks, who are without a senior this season, an added confidence boost, especially with both games coming against South Central Region competition.
“These regional games are important for the team,” Hall said. “The girls are focused; it is just a different element than league games.”
FLC will get an early chance to scout Colorado Mesa before they will play the Mavericks on Oct. 31 in a conference game.
The Mavericks, who were picked to finish ninth in the RMAC preseason poll, will play Midwestern State at 12:30 p.m. Thursday and will play Texas Woman’s at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Though Clarke is familiar with Colorado Mesa and his old FLC team, he said he won’t draw any extra confidence going against the two RMAC squads.
“I obviously know we have a stiff challenge in front of us with these two opponents,” he said. “Fort Lewis has a good group of players.”
He should know; he recruited them.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
