2011 Preble Shawnee Girls Soccer Team
Courtney Lakes, #19, Captain, Junior - Defender
Courtney is an outstanding defender to say the least. In 2+ years of watching her play varsity soccer, I have never seen her get beat - think about that. Her strength in the air, quickness and confidence on the ground, her second-to-none work ethic, and team leadership make her a great defender and a perfect teammate. Courtney is well on her way to becoming the best career defender at Preble Shawnee. I look forward to seeing her take her game to the next level.
- 2009 Newcomer of the Year (SWBL), 2nd team league (2010), 2nd team area (2010)
- 2009 Newcomer of the Year (SWBL), 2nd team league (2010), 2nd team area (2010)
Makayla Lindon, #9, Captain, Junior - Midfielder / Forward
Makayla Lindon, a.k.a. the Missing Link, has developed her game tremendously since her freshman year. With increased strength, ball skill, and, especially coordination, Makayla is certainly one of the better players on this team. She is a diverse midfielder who has the ability to score at any time and from any angle, and she can be a tenacious defender. Her greatest strength is her ability to control the flow and speed at which we play - she can throw a ball into danger, but more importantly she can slow play down by controlling the ball on the ground. She's left countless defenders looking foolish after a fine 'feint' then serving in an assist or finishing off a goal.
- 2010 Most Improved Player
- 2010 Most Improved Player
Mackenzie Steele, #7, Captain, Junior - Midfielder
Mackenzie Steele is our unsung hero. She never does anything flashy, but she can single-handedly control a game either by distributing out of the middle, or shutting down an opposing team's best player. She is the first one we call on when we don't need glory, we just need a soldier down in the trenches. As a midfielder, she has all the tools to be a great one - she passes well, she moves all day, she is good on 50/50 challenges, and she defends space intelligently. On top of all that, when given the chance AND taking advantage of the opportunity, she strikes a ball as well as anyone on the team.
- 2010 Arrow Award Winner
- 2010 Arrow Award Winner
Sidney Brown, #4, Captain, Junior - Utility?
Sidney Brown has really done it all for this team. Her freshman year she was a midfielder. In her sophomore season, Sidney was moved to sweeper. So far this year, she has spent her majority of time up front. If that's not enough, she'll probably find herself back in the midfield next season. Players like Sidney are crucial to a team's success. We can count on hard work, consistency, solid defending, and dangerous offensive opportunities no matter where she plays on the field. One of our turning points in the season came when our defense came together and we could afford to put Sid where we need her most. The team has never looked back since we moved her to forward. Our momentum in the middle third of the season is in large part due to Sidney's efforts.
Cheyanne Edwards, #3, Junior - Defender
Cheyanne is, relatively speaking, a newcomer to soccer. She joined the team as a sophomore. Quite honestly, I haven't been more pleased by adding any other player to our program than I have with Cheyanne. Not only is she a top-notch person, she is a top-notch player. As a central defender, she closes space faster than any player on our team, but she also has the distinct ability to carry forward out of the back connecting our defensive third with our midfielders and forwards. Because of this, Cheyanne will see some time up front and I expect she will be a dangerous offensive weapon, too. If she can be 1/10th as effective up front as she is in the back she will be very useful. It is a blessing to have two defensive players, between Courtney and Cheyanne, who compliment each other so well at central defender. We couldn't ask for anything more.
Martina Montgomery, #10, Junior - Midfielder / Defender
Martina is a first year varsity player this year and she is making her presence felt. If I can get her out of the "doghouse" her potential is limitless. With a little more knowledge-gaining experience combined with her physical attributes, especially her strength, Martina will be a very helpful option in 2011, but also more obviously in 2012. During her next two seasons, I anticipate a lot of soccer growth and can see her filling a much needed role as utility player - giving us a strong, talented player through the middle or in the back. By succeeding in this role, we will be able to move other players around where we can make them the most dangerous.
DJ Terry, #15, Junior - Midfielder
When we get DJ 100% she brings something much needed to our team - experience. DJ has played a lot of soccer in her life and knows how the game tactically should be played. She has already displayed the know how when she gets the ball at her feet. It seems that every time she gets a pass off, it's played with intent and in danger. That's one of the things our team is currently trying to better learn and we can take a lot of that experience DJ brings to the table and spread it amongst the team. Knowing what to do with a ball other than "kick it toward our goal" will take this team to the next level.
Maddie Woodard, #2, Sophomore - Midfielder
Maddie Woodard has sort of stepped into the role as face of the program. She is the one player who probably is most often talked about in other teams scouting reports. Maddie consistently goes to a ball hard and wins the majority of those 50/50 challenges throughout the midfield. By doing so, she gives this team something it desperately needs - a statement of strength and aggression. Not only does she win the 50/50's with regularity, she then does something positive with the ball either shooting or distributing. She is certainly the team's workhorse. Single-handedly, Maddie can take our good team play and make it great or, as it is even more important, get us out of a funk that we may be stuck in. This team certainly would not be the same without the efforts of Maddie Woodard.
Hayley Hall, #6, Sophomore - Forward/Midfielder
Hayley has the skill set to be the best player on this team. She is fast, agile, aggressive, can shoot, and can run all day long. With Hayley, it becomes an issue of learning the game and using her natural gifts to best benefit the team. As a forward, Hayley gives us the downhill speed that we need to beat defenders who are fast and as a midfielder Hayley gives us the pressure on the ball that disrupts other team's attempts at building numbers or getting comfortable. I know, and am excited about the growth of such a naturally gifted player. Hayley is and will continue to be a huge part of this team's success.
Sam Began, #12, Sophomore - Defender
Sam is a first year player and in August of this year Sam just barely made the cut to be on the varsity squad. Ever since that day, Sam has gotten so much better. She went from being a defensive sub to a defensive standout starter. As an outside full in our defensive system, Sam often finds herself on an island all alone with the other team's most dangerous offensive player. Much more often than not, Sam does exactly what she is supposed to do - keep that skilled player from creating dangerous opportunities. Certainly Sam can be considered one of, if not the most, most improved player on this team. It's reassuring to know that our program will have a solid, proven, starting defender returning for two more seasons.
Ellie Belvo, #13, Sophomore - Defender
Ellie has been on a roller coaster... to say the least. Fortunately, Ellie has the resolve to stick with it, fight for what she wants, and work through any adversity within the program. I've been very proud of the steps she has made in her drive to become the best varsity soccer player she can be. Last year, Ellie showed signs of being very good, but she seemed to make the same kind of mistakes over again. This year started the same way, but as the year progresses, I am excited to see that those mistakes are shrinking quickly. Her speed to the ball has improved, her containment has improved, and her field awareness has greatly improved. With Ellie's quick learning curve this year, I am certain that she will be a key player in the team's future successes.
Jordan Lovely, #5, Sophomore, Defender
If I had an award to give for 'Surprise Player of the Year' it would certainly go to Jordan Lovely. I knew to expect a big jump between Jordan's freshman and sophomore years, but I had no idea how big of a jump Jordan would make. Last season, we basically lost three defenders and I was worried that defensively we might be a little susceptible. To my delight, our defensive unit is as strong as it has ever been. This is largely due to the play of Jordan Lovely. Jordan has always been the most coachable player because of her high athletic IQ, but this year she has combined that intelligence with more speed and a greater physical strength. She not only went from being a starting defender on this team, but she has elevated herself to one of the best defensive players in the system. Again, another player very deserving of the Most Improved Award and another player who we can lean on and count on for two years to come.
Abbie Lynch, GK, Sophomore, Goal Keeper
We've had some pretty good keepers in the past at Shawnee, but none of them can hold a candle to the natural gifts Abbie brings to the goal. The hardest position to fill as a girl's soccer coach is the goal keeper because no one in their right mind wants to endure the physical abuse a keeper must and most girls don't have the fortitude to accept responsibility for a team losing a ball game - even if they are not the one at fault. Thankfully, Abbie has no trouble with any of this. She'll be the first player on the field to admit a mistake or to take blame and she is ALWAYS the first player to give physically of herself. These qualities are irreplaceable and unteachable. They just are... and Abbie is, and because of this, Abbie also makes a great team leader. In 2010, Abbie set records for season shutouts, consecutive shutouts, and goals against average. We are lucky, as a team, to have a keeper like Abbie Lynch as a Sophomore. More great things will certainly come.
- 2010 SWBL - Buckeye Division, Newcomer of the Year
- 2010 SWBL - Buckeye Division, Newcomer of the Year
Mattie Shockey, #1, Sophomore, Midfielder
Mattie is coming off an impressive 2010 season at the JV level. She has the work ethic and skill set to compete for starting time this year. Although Mattie doesn't do anything flashy, she is always in the right spot offensively and always willing to track back on the defensive end of the field as well. This makes her an ideal midfielder. If we could work on one thing with Mattie it would be her aggressiveness. If we can get Mattie a little stronger and a little more aggressive, she certainly will make a huge impact on the program. I expect this to improve as her career progresses. When it does, all the pieces will fall in place and Mattie Shockey will be a force to be reckoned with at Preble Shawnee.
Dayna Bennett, #8, Freshman, Midfielder
Dayna Bennett is currently the only freshman expected to letter varsity this year. On the 7th/8th grade select team, Dayna was a standout player who passed well and shot well out of the midfield. Primarily, this is the reason why she is earning a varsity letter this year. The quick fix for Dayna to really be a strong competitor at this level is to step up her physicality. With her strength she should never be afraid or timid stepping into a challenge despite the unfortunate injuries she has had during her short athletic career. I think there is huge potential for Dayna to be a high impact player in the next few years and I am looking forward to seeing it happen.
Coach Kevin Schaeffer, Year 12
Coach Schaeffer has entered his 12th year as the Coach of the Lady Arrows. Currently, he is the second longest tenured coach in the SWBL in one position (next year he will be the longest tenured coach). Over the past 12 seasons, under the direction of Coach Schaeffer, the Lady Arrows have improved from being a whipping post for most teams to a true competitor. In the past four seasons, the Lady Arrows have won an average of 10 games a season culminating in last years 13-2-4 season. The jewel in the career of Coach Schaeffer's time at Shawnee expects to come in the next two seasons. With a skilled group this year, the team has a chance to really make some noise in the state tournament, and with all players returning plus a few other key players, the promise for next season looks bright. Proud to be an Arrow. 80+
- 2010 Coach of the Year (SWBL - Buckeye), 2010 Coach of the Year (Miami Valley DII)
- 2010 Coach of the Year (SWBL - Buckeye), 2010 Coach of the Year (Miami Valley DII)
Coach Amy Werts, Year 1
The program is fortunate enough to have a coach of Amy Werts' knowledge and leadership. In her first year as a JV Coach, she has already garnered the respect of her JV players as well as the varsity group. Coach Werts is a 2006 graduate of Preble Shawnee, a four year varsity letter winner, and a 2006 captain. She also holds the school record for assists in a single game (5). The best midfielders make the best leaders, in my opinion, because they must know the game, direct traffic constantly, and work all day long. Coach Werts excelled at this as a player and excels at it as a coach. We are glad to have her on board and hope she can stay for a long time to come.