Savannah Adams – Mustangs Ahead
(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – On Friday, May 12, the LRHS girls soccer team received a new coaching staff.
Cole Richardson and Ed Stroop are a father-daughter coaching duo who introduced themselves to the team.
Head Coach Cole Richardson comes from an experienced background.
She was head coach for the Sarasota High Schools girls varsity soccer team for the last eight years.
She also coached at FC Sarasota and Braden River.
Richardson has her coaching license through the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and is the director of operations at the Sarasota Paradise, the local United Soccer Leagues Men’s professional team.
Richardson is excited to see what the new year will bring.
She said, “I am looking forward to working with a high-level team where the speed of play will be quicker.”
One of the things Richardson hopes to do is focus on creating a culture with good attitude, effort, and ability.
“My goal is to help the girls be the best they can be as people. I believe this is what takes a good team and makes them great.”
Her achievements have shown she has been successful through the years, improving Sarasota High Schools national team ranking by 73%.
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Richardson will be assisted by her father, Stroop, who has much experience as well.
He coached 16 years at FC Sarasota and 11 years at Riverview High School for the boys varsity team.
He is a pre-professional assistant coach for the USL.
Last year, he assisted Richardson at Sarasota High School and this year they moved to LRHS together.
Stroop stated, “We have always loved the game and last year was such a wonderful season.”
“I am so proud of her for seeing how she has developed and how she develops the girls beyond just soccer,” he added.
Richardson concluded this is a “new opportunity, new chapter, I’m excited.”
MUSTANGS AHEAD 