Lady Maroons have depth

Saturday, July 26, 2008

The Madisonville-North Hopkins girls’ soccer team may have lost five seniors from its 2007 team, which posted the school’s best season ever, but the Lady Maroons still have lofty aspirations for this year’s squad.

North finished last season 16-4-1 but returns with a deeper bench and two of the area’s most talented players in Heidi Clayton and Laura Rao.

“Last year where we had 11 and then we had two solid girls coming off the bench,” coach Steve Shepard said. “This year we have 11, and we do have more girls at that level (to sub-in).”

Clayton, a senior, said the much improved bench will prevent the team from fatiguing late in games.

“Last year we didn’t have a lot of subs, so we’ll be able to get some fresh legs in there,” she said. “(There are) a lot of new fresh players that will help us a lot.”

During the 2007 season Clayton and teammate Rao, a junior, finished the year as the team’s top two scorers on a team that placed fourth in scoring in the state.

Rao admits the players usually account for each other’s assists and said the duo’s friendship over the years allows them to work better together on the field.

“I know Heidi’s got my back,” she said. “ We’ve played together for a really long time. I know

where she’s going to be without even looking up so we have a lot of chemistry and that really helps during the game.”

Clayton, who collected 15 assists last year for 12th best in the state, said the pair just do what’s best for the team.

“It’s not a matter of who scores,” she said. “If she scores it’s great, if I score it’s great … a goal is a goal.”

As one of the area’s top soccer players, Clayton will typically draw multiple defenders, which gives her the opportunity to pass to open teammates.

“If the game doesn’t start with two people on her it won’t take long and they foul her constantly,” Shepard said. “That’s the only way they can stop her.”

Shepard went on to say that Clayton is a super athlete with the fastest first step of any soccer player he’s ever seen.

Besides Clayton and Rao, the Lady Maroons will also get a boost from first-year varsity player McKinsey Durham.

“We really expect (Durham) to make a difference in the middle of the field,” Shepard said. “Her speed is incredible. There’s no telling what she can do for us because she’s so versatile.”

As juniors, sisters Carli and Ellen Wittington will also be expected to be major contributors to the team’s success. Carli will step in as sweeper, anchoring the defense, while Ellen will play left or right wing and act as the corner kick server.

Fellow junior Lyndi Tedder will be making an adjustment this season, moving from a defending position to center midfield, but is anticipated to make a big impact, Shepard said.

While North appears to have strong players in many positions, the team’s determination will also be a big factor on its side.

Last year the Lady Maroons lost 5-0 to Ohio County during the first round of regionals, a team they defeated in the regular season, but this year the team returns ready to avenge the loss.

“You have to go as hard as you can all the time,” Rao said. “We can’t go into a game thinking we’re going to win. That was some problem last year.”

As one of the team’s captains, Rao understands the responsibilities of being a leader.

“You have to try your hardest,” she said. “During practice even, it’s almost as important as the game. You have to set the example, you have to lead by example for all the younger players, even the junior varsity players that look up to us.”

For Clayton, also a captain, the upcoming season is the last of her high-school career, and she wants to end it on a high note.

“I would love to win districts,” she said. “That’s big, we haven’t done it, but I feel like we’re so close … I think it’s looking really good this year.”

North will get its first test today in the Bluegrass State Games as the team prepares for the regular season.

“This weekend will be good,” Shepard said. “We’ll get a really good look at all the girls, in different positions. I’m excited. I’m ready for it to start. I like our chances.”

The Lady Maroons play at 9:30 a.m. today against Rowan County and Scott County at 5 p.m. North could could play Sunday also depending on their results.