GUILDERLAND — Soccer players are in constant motion during a game, and need to be able to cover considerable distances in a short amount of time. Fully understanding this concept, the Guilderland girls’ varsity players are trying to boost their stamina this season.

After running almost a mile in the dense humidity to cap off Monday’s practice, some Dutch players were gasping hard for air, and some seemed agonized.

“No team likes to run, ever,” said Guilderland Head Coach Curtis Snyder. “They don’t mind running in a game; they’ll run all day during a game.”

Guilderland has won three straight Suburban Council titles under Snyder. In 2013, the Dutch were the No. 1 seed in the Class AA playoffs, but were upset (1-0) in the semifinals by Saratoga.

“Now, every minute counts,” senior captain Rebecca Golderman said. “When those final minutes come, we have to be ready to go. We’re preparing ourselves to prevent those tough losses.”

It was a heartbreaking loss, Snyder said on Monday. Saratoga scored its goal with little time remaining in regulation.

“Yeah, it was sad,” added Emma Oliver, the other senior captain. “Our season was going so well, and we were pumped up for the game, so that wasn’t the end we expected.”

On Monday, ahead of Guilderland’s season-opening game at Bethlehem (Guilderland lost, 3-1) on Wednesday, Snyder said that his team was more in shape than at this point last year. The Dutch like to use the saying, “Fitness is fun.”

“That will help us get deeper into games,” said Snyder. “Hopefully, our fitness level will push us over.”

Oliver told The Enterprise that practice has been competitive; some good talent has moved up to varsity. Besides Oliver, Golderman, and goalkeeper Taylor Dorado, Coach Snyder wasn’t sure who would be in the starting line up for Wednesday’s game.

“The girls are pushing hard,” said Oliver. “Everyone is encouraging each other, but some are working harder than others; it looks good. It shows that they really care about this season.”

The Dutch try to take the spirit of practice and translate that to wins.

“It’s nice to see that competitive mindset,” Golderman said.

“Attitude, too,” Oliver added. “Everyone has to have that, and I think we’re getting there.”

As varsity starters for three years, Golderman and Oliver are great leaders, Snyder says, but they don’t like to toot their own horns. “The other girls look up to them, and try to emulate their hard work,” he said.

How do Golderman and Oliver motivate their Dutch teammates?

“It’s mainly being there for them, talking them through whatever they’re dealing with,” Oliver said. “If they’re not doing well with something, then we’ll give them a tip or an encouraging phrase so that they keep at it.”

For example, during full-field sprints — called “120s” — Golderman said she tries to keep the team positive. “Those positive words help me, so I know that it helps them,” she said. “I’m pushing myself and pushing them.”

Guilderland has 24 players, and they’re all fighting for minutes, Snyder said.

“We’re a mix of talents,” said Golderman. “Everyone brings something special.”

Oliver and Golderman both agree on the importance of maintaining Guilderland’s successful record. It’s something worth striving for.

“To be the best, you have to make that happen,” Snyder said. “The girls understand that.”

In a way, that means ignoring external circumstances.

“Since we’ve been doing more fitness, everyone should be able to keep up,” Oliver said. “That’s what we’re hoping for.”