JUNE 18, 2009 ISSUE
Watauga High School Girls Junior Varsity Soccer Team Concludes Successful Season
The Watauga High School Girls Junior Varsity soccer team finished the season with 11 wins, 3 ties and 1 loss, finishing second in its league.
During the spring season, the Watauga High School Girls Junior Varsity soccer team met with a great deal of success. They finished the season with 11 wins, 3 ties and 1 loss. The girls outscored their opponents 38 to 4 and finished second in the league behind A.C. Reynolds—against whom they had a loss and a tie.
“This season was a success by any measure,” said Coach Bill Ireland. “These girls each improved their skill measurably and really learned to play a complex sport as a team. I’m proud of every one of them.”
Sophomores Molly Clay, Liza Hernandez and Seleste Penley captained the team. At the completion of the season, the players voted on awards that were presented to the team at their end-of-the-year banquet. Best Offense was awarded to Ahana Reck (10th grade), who scored five goals and had five assists. Honorable mentions for this award went to Annie Venable (9th grade), who led the team in scoring with nine goals and four assists and Alana Patterson (9th grade), who led the team in assists with 10 assists and four goals. Shannon Westfphal (10th grade) also contributed six goals as a forward. The Best Defender award went to Shannon Herndon (10th grade) who helped the team’s defense deny countless scoring opportunities by the opposing teams. Shutting down opponents’ offense to allow only four goals scored on the season was also made possible by impressive defensive play by Seleste Penley, Tamara Norris, Sky Fraze, Shelby Gilliam and Molly Wells.
Regarding the defensive players, Coach Ireland commented “They rock!”
The team voted Mary Katherine Mast (9th grade) as the Most Improved player on the team.
“The most improved award as voted by the players was very close,” said Ireland. “There were nominations for eight of our players for this award and anytime you get that many people nominated for this type of award it reflects upon the kind of effort that these girls put into the season to try and become better as individuals. When your individual player skills improve it pushes the whole team further.”
Dakota Bauer (9th grade) also had a good number of votes for this award. The Most Valuable player (as voted by the team) and the Coaches’ Award (determined by the coaches) were given to freshman goalkeeper Emily Haas.
Coach Ireland said, “Emily had a standout season. She came up with some big saves exactly when we needed them” in order to post 8 shutouts and to allow only 4 goals scored.”
Emily won all-tournament team recognition at the Sledgehammer Charlie Invitational while playing with the varsity during the preseason.
Ireland also said: “The season ended well. There’s a lot of talent between the varsity and junior varsity and I’m even more excited for next season!”
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
