Adel-DeSoto-Minburn senior Haley James is looking forward to returning to the soccer field this season, and playing her first year with Head Coach Rachel Harada.

James shares that she’s been playing the sport of soccer since she was five years old, and notes that she enjoys the team atmosphere, plus the independence that comes with it as well. James unfortunately was injured last year and was not able to participate in any games under Coach Harada, but still attended practices. She says that she admires Coach Harada’s work ethic.

“Getting to see her work with the girls is really amazing. She has a lot of knowledge of the sport and also just knows how to work with the girls well, so it’s just always fun to see that and then the new things she brings to the team.”

A season ago, the Tigers finished 12-7-1 overall, qualifying for the Class 2A State Soccer Tournament in Ames, beating Independence 2-1, and then fell 3-1 to Waverly-Shell Rock in the semifinals to end the year. ADM will have a scrimmage versus Johnston on March 27th, then will open the regular season on April 2nd in Adel against North Polk.