18 The Revolution
Sports
May 16, 2014
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The  girls  join  together  as  they  await  the  start  of  their  game  against  Orange  County  on  March  27.  The  Patriots  defeated  the  Hornets  with  a  score  of  8-Â1. to  the  new  coaching  style.  “Most  of  my  coaches  have  been  male,  so  it’s  different  to  have  a  coach  who  can  relate  to  us  a  little  bit  more,â€?  Davi- son  said.       Junior  and  outside  back  Madison  Keck-ÂWilson  add- ed,  “Coach  S  is  more  techni- cal  with  us.â€?       Describing  her  approach  to  coaching  the  squad,  Sher- rill  said,  “At  practices  or  games,  I  hope  a  spectator  would  observe  our  squad  working  hard,  paying  atten- tion  to  details,  laughing  and  being  successful.â€?      Indeed,  the  team  has  seen  much  success,  having  a  sea- son  of  11-Â0-Â1  so  far.  The  girls  look  to  secure  a  spot  in  the  State  championship.  “It’s  something  we  have  never  done  in  my  years  at  Albe- marle,â€?  Davison  said.  “We  care  so  much  for  each  other  and  the  sport  that  we  are  all  trying  as  hard  as  we  can  to  do  our  best.â€?      In  order  to  achieve  their  “ultimate  goal,â€?  the  girls Â
focus  on  their  strengths  to  keep  the  team  motivated.  “The  team  has  great  chem- istry,  which  transcends  onto  WKH ÂżHOG DV ZHOO´ 6KHUULOO
said.       Keck-ÂWilson  believed  that  the  team’s  strengths  are  also  IRXQG LQ WKH WHDPÂśV PLGÂżHOG and  defensive  style  of  play. Â
Photos By Katie Pajewski
     This  season,  girls’  soccer  encountered  several  changes  within  their  organization.  Following  the  previous  sea- son,  the  team  joined  a  new  district,  altering  the  list  of  schools  that  the  team  plays.  In  addition  to  the  new  dis- trict,  the  team  gained  a  new  head  coach,  as  Coach  Hall  stepped  down  from  his  coaching  position  after  11  years  at  AHS.  %RWK PRGLÂżFDWLRQV ZLWKLQ the  squad  have  “changed  Albemarle  soccer  a  lot,â€?  ac- cording  to  senior  and  cap- tain  Abby  Davison.       Davison,  who  plays  center  defense,  captains  the  team  alongside  fellow  seniors  Anne  Brady  and  Ali  Starr.  Davison  said  on  the  team  switching  to  a  different  dis- trict,  “Since  we  play  different  teams,  we  were  unsure  what  to  expect.â€?       While  the  new  district  has  presented  a  challenge  for  the  team,  the  girls  constantly  strive  to  overcome  whatever  obstacles  come  their  way.  “We  are  very  focused  on  goals  and  expectations  this  year,â€?  Coach  Amy  Sherrill  said.  “We  want  to  compete  in  the  state  tournament.â€?      Sherrill  serves  as  the  cur- rent  head  coach  of  the  team,  after  serving  three  years  as  the  JV  coach  and  two  years  as  the  assistant  coach  to  Hall.  Once  she  became  head  coach,  Sherrill  said,  “I  was  ready  to  hit  to  ground  run- ning.â€?       She  found  the  transition  to  be  quite  easy,  mainly  due  to  the  “fantastic  groupâ€?  of  re- turning  players  and  parents.  Coach  Hall  was  also  respon- sible  for  Sherrill’s  easy  tran- sition.  “I  was  always  learn- ing  from  Coach  Hall  and  his  guidance  was  extremely  helpful,â€?  she  said.      While  the  team  is  familiar  with  Sherrill,  returning  play- ers  still  had  to  get  adjusted Â
     Sherrill  praised  her  play- ers  for  the  dedication  each  of  them  have  for  the  game  and  their  team.  “They  are  a  joy  to  work  with,â€?  she  concluded.       Not  too  far  from  the  con- ference  tournament,  the  girls  are  working  hard  to  keep  their  goal  of  States  in  sight.  So  far  in  their  season,  the  team  has  been  shutting  down  their  opponents.  Oc- casionally,  however,  schools  such  as  Western  Albemarle  and  Mountain  View  require  WKH WHDP WR ÂżJKW KDUGHU      The  team  is  also  learning  WR ÂżJKW KDUGHU LQ UHVSRQVH WR missing  players.  “This  year,  we  have  a  lot  more  to  over- come  with  all  the  injuries,â€?  Keck-ÂWilson  said.  Injured  players  of  the  team  include  MXQLRU PLGÂżHOGHUV -D]]\ /R- redo  and  Carmen  Thomas.  5HJDUGOHVV RI WKH GLIÂżFXO- ties  that  come  their  way,  the  only  thought  that  crosses  each  player’s  mind  is  that  of  winning  States.  Davison  ZDV FRQÂżGHQW LQ KHU WHDPÂśV chances  of  making  it.  “We  have  an  amazing  team  and  if  we  all  come  together,  we  can  do  great  things.â€?
Senior  forward  Ali  Starr  is  challenged  by  an  opponent  during  the  same  game  against  Orange  County.  Starr  scored  3  of  the  8  goals  in  the  team’s  win  against  the  Hornets.