AGAINST ALL ODDS

Much has been said of the 2011 Harrisonville Seniors and the impact they have had on the team over the last four years, but I'd like to take a moment to say how very pleased I am in this full team. The Cat's winning record and crushing defense hid the fact that they overcame many obstacles to finish out the season where they did.

Our first challenge came in losing one of our 2010 All State players, Anisa Alexander, to a season ending knee injury in our second game. Her presense and vision in the midfield were dearly missed throughout the entire season. Our leading scorer and fellow All Stater, Anna Holden, suffered through her own injury, playing only 12 of 29 games, some for just a few minutes at a time. While both will be back next season stronger than ever, the story this year has been who has stepped up to fill the void when needed.

The injured players stepped up themselves in every way possible. Anisa underwent surgery and still made it to the games to root for her Wildcat's. I even caught a few pictures of her shagging game balls. While Anna's injury held her down, she was far from out, leading the Cat's with 20 goals for the season. Her 8 post season goals were without a doubt the fire that kept this train running to the State Championship.

Junior Kaley Harkraider and Freshman Briana Kendrick did a wonderful job in midfield. Their ability to hold the ball and slide into the well oiled offensive passing and playmaking of the 2011 crew made a difference this season. I saw herculean improvement in many of our younger players in midfield as well. Genevieve and Madison Allen were two that I saw a diffence in intensity this year. Many players shared duties between midfield and forward, filling Anna's and other players shoes' while they were off. Maria Sanchez, Lexi Eghbali, Olivia Schultz and Taylor Spencer not only got some much desired playing time but more than a few starts. All impacted the games.

Defense had their own hurdles early in the season. They had some huge shoes to fill in the loss of 2010 Senior Defender Brianna Loveall. Freshman Bayli Galeassi , at 5'-8" and thin as a rail, stepped in and impressed me with her level headed play and speed. I wondered at the beginning of the season whether she would be able to be that impact player Brianna was for us last year and she showed us all she had what it takes.

Jaclyn Sumner (my own daughter) delivered a nearly 10 pound baby weeks before the season began. She wasn't able to start a game until our first home match (a 2-0 shutout vs Warrensburg) and then understandably, took some time to get her pace back. Since then, while juggling child care, school and soccer, she has started and played almost every single minute of every game, contributing to a record 19 shutouts throughout the season.

Sara Clarke worked tirelessly through preseason therapy on her shoulder and delivered a record setting performance over the entire season.

I'm not trying to single out anyone for praise. There is more than enough to go around and many deserving players on this team. Just wanted to say how very proud I am of all of you and everything you have overcome and accomplished this season.

While some in Southwest Missouri have doubts upon whether the Cats can come back next year to claim their third straight District title, I think they will overcome all odds to make it happen. GO CATS!