By Genesis Lemus\/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood athletics has hired former Washington College assistant coach Molly Kovarik as the new head coach of women\u2019s soccer starting this spring semester. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This will be Kovarik\u2019s first time in a head coaching position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kovarik began her coaching career as the graduate assistant coach at Eastern University, a school in the same athletic conference as Hood. After the team\u2019s head coach left mid-season, she got to \u201cdip her toes into head coaching,\u201d and lead the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The search for a new coach began in November of last year. The interview process included a first round of Zoom meetings and a second round of in-person interviews with the final four candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDuring my second round, I got to come in-person and I got to meet the athletic staff, see the campus, all COVID friendly, and meet with the girls in small groups,\u201d Kovarik said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kovarik said that she is very excited for the challenge of starting \u201cblindly\u201d with an already well-established soccer program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe program was left in a very good place,\u201d Kovarik said. \u201cMost of the girls are returning and there\u2019s a lot of leadership within that group of girls.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The season is set to begin in March, but the team is still waiting to hear back from the Mid-Atlantic Conference to confirm the start date of the 2021 spring season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recruiting has also been at the top of Kovarik\u2019s to-do list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSince this pandemic started, soccer hasn\u2019t really stopped recruiting process, we attend most events,\u201d Kovarik said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been able to connect with a lot of individuals, we have always been traveling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kovarik has already begun to develop a relationship with the team and said she\u2019s ready to get to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited to see how the season pans out,\u201d Kovarik said. \u201cThe girls have been awesome, fun and caring.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"