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Girls soccer: The next step: Creekview looking to improve on appearance in regional finals
By Justin Thomas, Jthomas@starlocalnews.com
Rough weather conditions and adjusting to a new system didn't slow down Creekview's girls soccer team last weekend as the Lady Mustangs kicked off their 2013 campaign with a 3-0 start at the National Elite Prep Showcase hosted by Fort Worth Nolan and Southlake Carroll.
Perhaps more impressive than the record was Creekview's flair for the dramatic, which included shootout wins over Birdville and Keller Timber Creek as well as a 1-0 margin over Keller Fossil Ridge.
"I was really happy," said Heather Medlen, Creekview first-year head coach. "We had just gotten a few players back from injury and are trying to work them into game shape. But we worked through different formations and positions and dealt with some awful weather. We really pushed hard at the end of the Fossil Ridge game to get the winning goal. It was a good weekend."
"We're looking to keep building," Medlen said. "I think we have a chance to do as well or better than last year."
The tourney was a solid start to the season for the Lady Mustangs.
"We're trying to rebuild because we lost several seniors, but we still have a good core," Medlen said. "We have good leaders who can build up our younger kids. I've seen a lot of heart and determination going for us on top of our skills."
On the pitch, Medlen believes The Colony has a balanced squad.
"We can play an attacking game or a defensive game," Medlen said. "But we need to get better at transitioning. On Friday, we had to adapt and did so without hesitation because they were shutting down our middles."
Among the 10 returners is goalie Alyssa Palacios (second team all-district last season).
"She's our primary keeper," Medlen said. "She's one of the best keepers I've seen in a long time. And she's only a sophomore."
Defenders include returners Jordan Gillespie (honorable mention), Mackenzie Wilson (honorable mention), Ashley Ott (second team) and Katie Ott.
"We're strong defensively," Medlen said. "We're really quick and can push up when we need to because of our speed."
Rachel Williams and Claire Bennett also figure into the defensive mix.
At midfield, Creekview looks to Lauren Selaiden (first team) and Alexia Longoria (first team) on the outside, both of which have made commitments to play in college (Selaiden to Missouri and Longoria to Southern University). The middle is patrolled by Katie Zimmerman (second team) and Kaitlyn Martin (honorable mention).
"We have a very strong and experienced midfield," Medlen said. "And the girls are very versatile. They can do a lot of different things and really complement each other."
The rotation at forward includes Alexiz Magro-Malo (second team), Abbey Olson, Kelsie Peck, Gisselle Calvillo, Noelle Anderson, Breanna Avelar and Andrea Davis.
"Our forwards work hard and are very talented but we have to learn to shoot more," Medlen said. "Our biggest thing right now is getting more shots on goal. But other than that, there is nothing major.
"This is my seventh year of coaching and I've never seen more of a team. There is no drama or cliques and that can be odd with girls. They help each other out and don't take criticism or advice the wrong way."
In District 20-4A, the Lady Mustangs again figure to be in a battle with Highland Park, which eliminated Creekview in the sixth round last season.
"It's going to be a tough district," Medlen said. "We've started well and we're going to get another test when we play Marcus in a non-district game and play in some more tournaments."
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