Girls soccer: Team hopes to ride strong core of players to winning season

By Adam McFadden • September 14, 2009 5:13 pm
Senior Fabiana Stapleton pushes the ball upfield during a drill at practice. Senior captain Taylor Hoover pursues.
Senior Fabiana Stapleton pushes the ball upfield during a drill at practice. Senior captain Taylor Hoover pursues.

It’s a new coach, a new attitude for the Hazen soccer team this season.

Coach Ken Matthews comes to Hazen after spending three years at Montesano and he will try to shape Hazen’s strong core of players into a playoff team.

“He’s way more intense than our old coach,” said Hazen captain Taylor Hoover. “But he really knows what he’s talking about. … I think he can take us really far.”

Hoover will be a key in the Highlanders’ fast-paced offense. Matthews said the team will focus on using each other and maintaining the correct spacing.

“We’re going to try to be as offensive as we can and play a very fast, quick-passing game,” he said. “A pass, pass, pass type of game rather than trying to dribble through the defense.”

Kayla Hackman, a returning honorable mention all-league player, will move into the striker role – leading Hazen’s offensive attack. She will need to score for the Highlanders’ offense to work.

Also watch for Lexi Garvin, Hazen’s attacking midfielder. “She’s going to be something special,” Matthews said.

While Matthews isn’t sure what to expect this season since he hasn’t seen any of the Highlanders’ league competition, he does expect his team to win its fair share of games and compete in every game.

“For us not to have a winning record would be a huge disappointment for me,” Matthews said.

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Hoover said her ultimate goal this season would be a trip to the state tournament, first for Hazen since 1993.

The biggest factor in the Highlanders’ success this season could be health. While talented, Hazen doesn’t have much depth.

“Our turnout was a little lighter than I thought it was going to be,” Matthews said. The coach said he feels very confident in the team’s starting 11 and first three off the bench.

Season update:

After a forfeit left Hazen with no opponent Tuesday, Matthews scheduled a last-minute match with Eastside Catholic. The Highlanders lost the season-opening game 4-1.

Sophomore keeper Priscilla Yu faced 23 shots in goal and Matthews named her the Woman of the Match. Kayla Hackman scored Hazen’s goal on an assist by Tiana Ellison.