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Maddie Huscher has swapped out her rock-climbing boots for soccer coaching cleats this fall.

Huscher, the reigning Northwest Region Teacher of the Year and who has sponsored the middle school climbing club, will spend the next few weeks on flat ground as La Conner High School’s new girls’ soccer coach.

Huscher greeted a young but enthusiastic roster to pre-season workouts this week.

In a way, though, Huscher will be employing climbing techniques with the Lady Braves. She will be looking to help guide the youthful Lady Braves up NW1B/2B standings after the program slipped to 0-9 a year ago, suffering shutout losses to league foes Mount Vernon Christian, Friday Harbor and Coupeville.

The lineup blends newcomers and returning letter winners, including Kendall Lee, Baylee Smith, Lydia Grossglass and Josi Straathof.

Youth will also be served.

“We have a lot of eighth graders who are coming up,” said Huscher, who exuded enthusiasm throughout the team’s inaugural practice. “We’re looking to have fun and a great season.”

One of those eighth graders, Kim Williams, showed her athleticism by winning a competitive soccer ball tag contest Monday morning.

The constantly upbeat Huscher, who as a teen played soccer in the Sacramento, California area – she graduated from Franklin High in Elk Grove prior to attending Cal State-Fullerton – directed her charges through a rapid-fire series of conditioning and skills-building drills.

“Are you guys excited?” Huscher asked at one point, quipping: “Conditioning is so much fun.”

Huscher also instructed players on proper footwork and passing and how best to execute headers.

“You have to be on your toes at all times in soccer,” she noted. “If you’re flat-footed, you’ll miss the ball.”

Nearby rival Mount Vernon Christian, the defending league champion, is expected to be strong again. La Conner hosts MVC Sept. 26.

The Lady Braves open at home opposite North Mason Sept. 5.

La Conner is scheduled away from Whittaker Field for two early clashes, visiting Northwest of Seattle Sept. 7 and traveling to Auburn Adventist Sept. 11.

The team is home Sept. 14 to play Forest Ridge Sacred Heart of Bellevue.