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Youth key to women’s soccer season

Team features several freshmen on varsity roster

By Maggie Brandenburg
<mbrandenburg@hilite.org>

For what will be the first time in the past 18 years, several freshmen will suit up for the women’s soccer team. One of those freshmen, Samantha Tiongson, will start as goalie for a team looking to end its State title drought.

“(It was) not likely (for Tiongson to make the varsity team). But we happened to lose last year’s starting goalie,” Erin Blewitt, team captain and senior, said.

Having played soccer since she was 4 years old, Tiongson said she tried out for this school’s team to stay in shape for her club season with Carmel United Soccer Club and because she heard it was a lot of fun.
To make it to the varsity level, players had to tough it out through three weeks of tryouts. One week consisted of two-hour practices. Another week was devoted to “captain’s practice,” where the team would run 1.75 miles under a 13 minutes and 30 seconds. A third week was committed to two-a-days. Players who did not make it to the varsity team were split up to either the junior varsity or freshman squad with the chance of becoming a swing player and playing on the varsity squad.

According to Head Coach Frank Dixon, each player was judged on athletic attributes, speed, stamina and soccer skills. To test these traits, the prospective players competed in one-on-one situations, shooting drills and scrimmages.

“I just worked hard. I was really motivated and determined to (make the varsity team),” Tiongson said.
Dixon said that most freshmen come on the team as swing players to learn the ropes of the team, due to the difficulty of playing opponents that can be as much as four years older and the nerves that can come out during their first game. Dixon said the team itself does not worry about the age of the players, just their ability to play soccer.

In addition to Tiongson, three other freshmen will try to help the team earn its first State title in four years. The drought began with a Sectional defeat during the 2005 season against Noblesville. After last year’s Sectional loss to Brownsburg, the current seniors on the team are now in danger of being the only group of girls to graduate without a State ring.

Tiongson said she watns to help.

“Of course we want to the win State. We just want to have a lot of good games,” said Tiongson.
Thirteen regular season matches, four Sectional games and a Regional, Semi-State and State championship match stand between the team and its return to glory on the podium. Blewitt said the enthusiasm of the freshman should help get them there.

“It’s actually fun. They’re more energetic,” Blewitt said. “Them being less experienced makes them easier to mold.”

—

WOMEN’S VARSITY SOCCER TEAM ROSTER BREAKDOWN

Head Coach: Frank Dixon

Captains: Seniors Kathleen “Kat” Hanni and Erin Blewitt

Top Returning Scorer: Senior Taylor Cornwell (10 goals)

Seniors: 7

Juniors: 6

Sophomores: 4

Freshmen: 4

FRANK DIXON / SOURCE

IHSAA.ORG /SOURCE

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