By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
Once a two-sport athlete, Madisonville-North Hopkins senior Troyana Hardy picked up another sport, soccer, her freshman year and that is the sport that will allow her to continue her athletic endeavors at the collegiate level.
Hardy, who played basketball and softball, tried soccer for the first time in 2005 and on Tuesday afternoon at North's library, the Lady Maroon goalie dotted the line for her letter of intent to join Kentucky Wesleyan College's program in the fall.
Following Tuesday's ceremony and photographs with family members and friends, Hardy said the transition to soccer seemed rather smooth.
"It came natural to me because I've always been a little bit athletic and I've always been physical," she said. "It came from other sports like blocking out and other different things just come into play being a goalie."
North assistant coach Mike Davenport attended the signing and Hardy said he was instrumental in her success.
"He taught me everything as far as being a goalie and sending me to camps," she said. "I wouldn't have really done anything with it if he didn't help me."
Initially, Davenport was one of the coaches who recognized Hardy's potential to become a standout defender.
Hardy, who played basketball and softball, tried soccer for the first time in 2005 and on Tuesday afternoon at North's library, the Lady Maroon goalie dotted the line for her letter of intent to join Kentucky Wesleyan College's program in the fall.
Following Tuesday's ceremony and photographs with family members and friends, Hardy said the transition to soccer seemed rather smooth.
"It came natural to me because I've always been a little bit athletic and I've always been physical," she said. "It came from other sports like blocking out and other different things just come into play being a goalie."
North assistant coach Mike Davenport attended the signing and Hardy said he was instrumental in her success.
"He taught me everything as far as being a goalie and sending me to camps," she said. "I wouldn't have really done anything with it if he didn't help me."
Initially, Davenport was one of the coaches who recognized Hardy's potential to become a standout defender.
"For one thing, really good goalies are rare, ones that can play the position, play it well and be aggressive like you need a goalie to be," he said. "In my opinion you look for, in a goalie, someone who has aggressiveness and is fearless and that's Troyana, in every sport she's ever played - softball, basketball, Frisbee throwing. She's fearless. She's a very fierce competitor."
Davenport said Hardy came into the program with lofty goals and had to fill the spot of Davenport's daughter, a three-year starter.
As Hardy approaches a new and higher level of competition, her large aspirations have not changed. Hardy said she hopes to be not only a starter, but an all-conference selection.
"Troyana has potential that is unlimited for someone of her athletic ability," Davenport said. "She's a fierce competitor and I truly believe if she wants to be all-conference, she wants to be a starter...I think she can do that." During the 2008 season, Hardy recorded eight scoreless games, but will be remembered by most for her ability to charge an offensive player.
Many even gasped when Hardy would make a daring sprint to halt an opponent's charge, but she said she always had confidence to make the play.
"I know I scared (Davenport) a few times," she said. "Just whatever it takes to get stuff done and get the win."
Hardy's most successful season statistically may have been her first as a starter, her sophomore year.
In 2006, Hardy finished seventh-best in Kentucky with eight shutouts and allowed just 17 goals in 20 games played for 15th best.
Davenport said because of Hardy's style of play, many players had to adjust their thought process.
"When Troyana comes out on you, you better kick early or you're going to get knocked down," he said. "So many coaches in our region said by far when Madisonville had Troyana in the goal, we were (twice) as good as a team."
Hardy will join former Lady Maroon Laura Nance at Wesleyan and fellow North senior Heidi Clayton is expected to sign with the Lady Panthers as well.
Nance and Clayton represent North's No. 1 and 2 all-time goal scorers and with Hardy blocking the net, Hardy said she thinks Wesleyan's program is one on the rise.
"I think it'll help us to build the program," she said. "I think maybe by (mine and Heidi's) sophomore year, we'll have that program built up."
Davenport said Hardy came into the program with lofty goals and had to fill the spot of Davenport's daughter, a three-year starter.
As Hardy approaches a new and higher level of competition, her large aspirations have not changed. Hardy said she hopes to be not only a starter, but an all-conference selection.
"Troyana has potential that is unlimited for someone of her athletic ability," Davenport said. "She's a fierce competitor and I truly believe if she wants to be all-conference, she wants to be a starter...I think she can do that." During the 2008 season, Hardy recorded eight scoreless games, but will be remembered by most for her ability to charge an offensive player.
Many even gasped when Hardy would make a daring sprint to halt an opponent's charge, but she said she always had confidence to make the play.
"I know I scared (Davenport) a few times," she said. "Just whatever it takes to get stuff done and get the win."
Hardy's most successful season statistically may have been her first as a starter, her sophomore year.
In 2006, Hardy finished seventh-best in Kentucky with eight shutouts and allowed just 17 goals in 20 games played for 15th best.
Davenport said because of Hardy's style of play, many players had to adjust their thought process.
"When Troyana comes out on you, you better kick early or you're going to get knocked down," he said. "So many coaches in our region said by far when Madisonville had Troyana in the goal, we were (twice) as good as a team."
Hardy will join former Lady Maroon Laura Nance at Wesleyan and fellow North senior Heidi Clayton is expected to sign with the Lady Panthers as well.
Nance and Clayton represent North's No. 1 and 2 all-time goal scorers and with Hardy blocking the net, Hardy said she thinks Wesleyan's program is one on the rise.
"I think it'll help us to build the program," she said. "I think maybe by (mine and Heidi's) sophomore year, we'll have that program built up."
No comments:
Post a Comment