Standout team of the SSM College Showcase
“Overcoming adversity.” Every sports team talks about it, coaches format speeches around it, but last Sunday morning the Sporting Nebraska 06/07 girls soccer team did it. This team made the drive from Nebraska to MN to compete in to matches…
Access all of Prep Soccer
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading“Overcoming adversity.” Every sports team talks about it, coaches format speeches around it, but last Sunday morning the Sporting Nebraska 06/07 girls soccer team did it.
This team made the drive from Nebraska to MN to compete in to matches at the Shattuck-St.Mary’s College Showcase. Sporting’s Saturday game ended in a 0-0 tie against the NOSC Blast South 07 team. That might not seem like much of a success initially, until you find out that they were playing with only 4 subs on the bench. Even more noteworthy, they went into this event with only 8 players from their primary team. They pulled up 7 players from their second team and a freshmen. While their game Saturday may not have ended in a win as any competitive soccer team would strive for, Sunday was a fresh start to a new day.
Coach – Neil Hope, said the basic message leading into the weekend was this: “..The 2 standout factors to put in a good performance (were) the communication and organizing pieces with and without the ball. Heightening those areas with teammates they are not too totally familiar with (and) a sense of responsibility for each to showcase the team/club.” Coach Hope’s words must have resonated with this group of young ladies because just before lunch time on a cold Sunday in Fairbault – MN, this team came together and they came to play. Early on in the first half a rocket to the back of the net by forward, Maggie Turner, brought a new energy to the field. This team played like a well oiled machine. You would have believed this group had been playing together for years. Not only were they effectively able to hold their shape, there were very few mistakes made. They were not a team to clear the ball, every pass they made had clear intention. They were very dialed into how to drop and cover for their teammates who were taking their space. Ultimately, this is what lead them to a 4-0 lead over Eden Prairie at half time.
Eden Prairie was able to put one away in the second half, ending the game with a score of 4-1. This group of young ladies and Coach Hope show exactly what it means to overcome adversity. There were also some outstanding individual performances.
Maggie Turner
Maggie Turner
Scoring the first goal of the game, Turner made herself known quickly. She has an incredible leg and timing on the ball. She knows when to pull the trigger and does it with force and confidence. She walked away scoring not one, but two phenomenal goals this game!
Janie Peterson
Janie Peterson
Peterson plays a very unselfish game. She is undoubtedly fast enough and has the ball control skills to carry the ball. Playing in the center, she is clearly seeing the bigger picture. She dishes the ball off perfectly to her runners which resulted in some beautiful plays coming together.
Alayna Hauser
Alayna Hauser
Hauser plays a game of tranquility. Her ability to read the play is spectacular. You pair that with the fact that 9 times out of 10 she will beat the defense in a footrace, that alone is enough to make her a standout player. Her abilities don’t end there though. She managed to advance a lot of plays by incorporating a quick pull back to throw off her defender, and accelerate by them. This allowed her the opportunity for a beautiful cross in front of the net for a goal.
Brooklyn Bales
Brooklyn Bales
Scoring in the game, Bales is not one to overlook. She has precise accuracy while on the move. She managed to hit the upper 90 while on the run with her left foot. With three defenders closing in on her, she showed her ability to stay calm and know her timing on the shot. Simply outstanding.
Maya Stevenson
Maya Stevenson
Being technically and tactically gifted are two very different skills. Stevenson possesses them both. She very comfortably can hold the ball at her feet while having a clear vision of the field. This allowed her many opportunities to freely take her space and advance the play. What also can’t go unmentioned is that Stevenson is a natural lefty, making her a threatening tool to have in your arsenal when it comes to free kicks.
Gabby Wagenfuhr
Gabby Wagenfuhr
I am extremely impressed with Wagenfuhr’s performance. Being a young player who was pulled up to play, she melted right into the team, even scoring a goal in the first half. She will absolutely be one to keep on your radar as this is just the beginning for her! Wagenfuhr knows how to make a strategic run and her goal scoring speaks to her effectiveness.