Columbus East High School

The Columbus East girls soccer program enters a fresh chapter this fall under new head coach Grace Manning, who is embracing her first season at the helm with gratitude and excitement. “The transition has been amazing,” Manning said. “The players, administration, staff, and parents at Columbus East have been incredibly welcoming. They’ve truly brought me in with open arms, making me feel right at home and very receptive to the new ideas we’re bringing to the program. Their support has been invaluable in helping me get adjusted and up to speed, and I’m very grateful for their encouragement.” That warm welcome has made the preseason an enjoyable experience for Manning. “We have a great group of players with fantastic personalities,” she said. “They’re all so friendly and bring their own unique ‘zing’ to the team dynamic, both on and off the field. Their energy and enthusiasm have made the preseason an absolute pleasure, and I’m really enjoying getting to know each one of them.” While the team’s style of play is still taking shape, Manning likes the foundation she sees. “We have a lot of technically strong players who are excellent with the ball at their feet,” she said. “We’re working on connecting our passes to create a fluid, cohesive game. Our forwards are determined to make an impression, and our backline is equally strong and capable. I want to see us string passes together and keep things clean and elegant in the back, while also creating opportunities to attack.” In her first year, Manning is setting clear priorities. “My primary goal is to keep our players healthy and on the field all season,” she explained. “From a tactical standpoint, we’re focusing heavily on possession and creating opportunities in the attacking third. Last season, the team struggled with scoring goals, and we have some very talented attacking players this year. I’m confident we can be more ‘goal-hungry’ and capitalize on the chances we create.” Manning believes this year’s roster has the qualities to grow throughout the season. “We have a very strong senior class with fantastic leadership, which is a huge asset,” she said. “Across the board, from the backline to the front, we have players who are very impressive with the ball. I want to foster more confidence in them to make an impact when the opportunity is right. I’m a strong believer that defensive players can contribute to the attack, and I hope to see that manifest itself in our play this season.” More than anything, Manning wants the season to build her players’ belief in themselves. “I want these girls to realize how capable they are and to grow in their confidence, regardless of the final score,” she said. “I know it can be tough to stay positive after a loss, but from what I’ve seen, there’s no reason for this group to doubt themselves on or off the field. My hope is that by the end of the season, we have a squad of confident, self-assured young women who are ready to persist and show just how strong and wonderful they truly are.”