DST Newsletter - Spring 2025

What’s Coming Up?

Register today for our Summer Development Programs for players ages 8-18. Limited spots available, multiple session times for flexible summer soccer. Whether your player is getting ready for the high school season or wants to stay sharp over the summer between seasons, these programs are designed for all ages and skill levels. Get the details and register here.

Also perfect for the Spring Season: Match Analysis. Coach Dayes will come watch a game and create a detailed match analysis for your player. Learn more and sign up here: Match Analysis

Session Spotlight: Agility & Quickness

With the weather warming up, it’s a great time to get outside and work on your speed and quickness. These movements are easy to do at home with a partner and will help your player with bursts of speed out on the pitch.

Nutrition Tips

Savanah Feldpausch, MS, RD, LDN
Sports Dietitian | Louisville Athletics

My name is Whitney Cooper, and I discovered my love for soccer when I started playing at the age of 8. My favorite positions are striker and wingback, and I currently play for Racing Louisville's 08 ECNL team as well as the varsity team at Assumption High School.

What I love most about soccer is the pure joy it brings me. The feeling of constantly working to improve my skills and grow as a player is incredibly rewarding. My teammates also play a huge role in my soccer journey—I wouldn’t be where I am today without their unwavering support and camaraderie.

I look up to players like Alex Morgan, Sophia Smith, Emma Sears, and Mel Barcenas, who inspire me with their talent and determination. However, my greatest inspiration is Kobe Bryant—not for his soccer skills, of course, but for his relentless work ethic and "Mamba Mentality."

One of my most cherished soccer memories happened last season at Assumption High School when we played E-Town in our season opener. The match was tied 1-1 in the final minute when I performed a step-over move on a defender, carried the ball down the line, and sent a cutback pass to my teammate, who scored the game-winning goal. That day was especially meaningful because it was our coach's first game back after the loss of her brother, who had also been our strength trainer. It felt like he and God were with us on the field, and that victory was truly for him.

Coach Dayes has been instrumental in my development as a player. He’s helped sharpen my technical skills, including my first touch, dribbling, and shooting, while also enhancing my tactical awareness, like checking over my shoulder and reading the game. His guidance has kept me grounded and driven to improve.

My ultimate goal is to play for a Division 1 college program that values both academics and athletics and competes at a national level. If possible, I would be honored to continue my soccer career after college by playing for Racing Louisville's NWSL team.

DST Newsletter - Fall 2024

What’s Coming Up?

Get a Step Ahead with DST this Fall: DST is excited to offer a new hourly consulting option for College Recruiting in addition to the College Recruiting Program. Find more information about both options on the DST website.

For select services, starting in September, please note that there are some fee changes heading into the fall season. If you have any questions, please ask Coach Dayes. 

Reminder: Match Analysis. Coach Dayes will come watch a fall game and provide a detailed analysis of your player. Learn more and sign up here: Match Analysis

Session Spotlight: Passing and Finishing Exercise 

Three players combine using different patterns to create shooting/finishing options for player that starts the passing sequence. This exercise will help players with their one-touch passing with both feet, off the ball movement and finishing.

Nutrition Tips

Effective training depends on effective nutrition so we turned to our University of Louisville Cardinals Sports Dietician for tips on the best snacks for DST athletes. We all know young athletes are constantly hungry - but what will fuel their game?

Our athletes need healthy carbs to fuel their muscles for all of the energy it takes to make it through training or a game. For busy families, there are options below that are easier for grab-and-go that still provide the nutrients your athletes need. And what your athlete is eating is just as important as when they are eating. See the infographic below for tips on providing your athletes with the carbs they need when they need them!

Information courtesy of:

Savanah Feldpausch, MS, RD, LDN

Sports Dietitian | Louisville Athletics

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Meet Bruni Pilati

1. Tell us about your soccer background. When did you start playing soccer? What is your favorite position? What high school and club do you play for?

I have always been surrounded by a soccer environment from a young age. I was born into a very small town in Tennesee and there weren't many soccer opportunities. I signed up for the YMCA league when I was around 3 years old and played all the way until I was 9. Then, I moved to Louisville when I was in 3rd grade and started playing for Kentucky Fire Juniors. The following year, Racing Louisville Academy was created, and I enrolled in their academy. Since then, I have been playing for them, and this year, since I am a trap player, I am playing for North Oldham High School's girl's soccer team. At the moment, my favorite position is Center Forward, but I can also play midfielder at times.  

2. What do you enjoy most about the game?

I just love the competitiveness of the game. There will always be something to improve on in soccer which I love. I also like meeting new people through camps and seeing different styles of play. Finally, I just love the freedom of creativity we have on the field.

3. What players do you look up to and why?

After the 2023 Women's World Cup, the player who stood out to me the most was Alessia Russo. She plays the same position as me and is so good at beating players off the dribble. Her ability to shield players off with her body is amazing, and I really admire that.
4. Describe your most memorable soccer moment to date.

My most memorable soccer moment was being called up to my first Youth National Team Camp in Atlanta, Georgia. Another memorable moment was being called up to the W league roster for Racing. 

5. How has Coach Dayes helped you develop as a player?

He has helped me to improve my technical abilities like turning, shooting, and my IQ around the game. 

6. What are your soccer goals for the future?

My soccer goals for the future are to potentially get called up to the U-15 Youth National Team roster this fall and to continue playing for Racing Louisville Academy and potentially get signed to play with their pro team.