Lady Knights Aim to Repeat
After winning their fourth CCAC Championship game in 2009, the Lady Knights look poised to contend for the league title again. While HCS lost three starters from last year's team, the Lady Knights return leading scorer and all-state player Rebeccah Smith (39 goals and 8 assists, CCAC All-Conference) as well as first-team all-conference goalkeeper Kelsey Caylor (12 shutouts) and center midfielder Janelle Reist (2nd Team CCAC All-Conference). "Some teams will be successful from time to time, go through rebuilding, etc. but we desire consistent, success every year. We have the talent to continue that level of success by winning the league title again this season" said Coach Bassoff.
Joining junior captain Smith up front will be sophomore cousins Alison Parlin (11 goals and 5 assists) and Carissa Van Dyck (6 goals and 9 assists) who combined to create a dangerous threat from the right side of the field last year. In addition to experience in the attacking end of the field, the Lady Knights return their entire back line with sophomore captain Janell Holmes (2 goals) and juniors Aubrey Juris (1 goal and 3 assists) and Shayla Thompson (3 goals and 1 assist) who with Caylor only allowed two conference goals in 11 league games. "We confirmed last season that more speed, work rate and athleticism in the back helped keep our opponents off the scoreboard" said Coach Bassoff. "Our three backs and Kelsey became a strong cohesive group that will make it difficult for teams to score on again this season".
While experience rules at forward and defender, senior captain Janelle Reist (2 goals and 1 assist) is the only returning midfielder. "A key for us will be how quickly our new players and substitutes from last year help us cover the middle of the field." Seniors Karissa Caylor (2 assists) and Chelsea Buffington each have seen significant action in the midfield in prior seasons and will be counted on this season to provide stability for the Lady Knights in the middle of the field.
Coach Bassoff concluded stating that "With four straight championship game appearances, we desire to continue that level of success. We pray that the Lord will give us lots of opportunities to achieve great things, but the key will be how our players will approach those opportunities. No doubt, I expect us to be battling for the league title and more in May again."