Lady Cougs Blank Noble

 The Ada News   

Lady Cougar Soccer Opens This Week

Ada returns eight starters off last year’s 6-7 squad, but Morrison said his girls will have to outwork, rather than “out-skill” most of their opponents this season.

“I’ve seen a lot of good work, but our skill is still lacking a little bit,” he explained. “We’re not going to be able to out-skill a lot of people, but we’re darn sure going to outwork them. This junior class I have has been with me since they were freshmen, and they are all hard workers.

“Our numbers are way down — we’re at 15 girls,,” Morrison said. “But it’s 15 girls who are willing to put in hard work and take a step forward.”

The Lady Cougars should be solid at the back of their defense, where goalkeeper Taryn Jack is entering her fourth year as a starter.

“She’s got her mind set on a great year,” Morrison said of Jack. “She’s doing everything I’m asking her to do. She’s fun to watch because of her intensity.”

Morrison lost All-Stater Laura Reihart off his back line, but he said seniors Madison Gillispie and Blakeley Franz and a group of younger players appear capable of picking up the slack.

“Blakeley Franz came out last year and really helped us, I have a sophomore, Roudee Humphers, who really transformed herself last year,” he explained. “"Madison Gillispie has been a starter since her freshman year, and I have a freshman, Taylor Hodges, who is going to step in at left fullback and I think she’s going to help us.

“We lost 9-1 to Durant last year,” Morrison said. “We had some defensive mistakes on some breakaways and gave up some goals (in last week’s scrimmage), but other than that we played them head-to-head.”

Juniors Leah Huling and Bree Foster lead a group of midfielders that could become one of the team’s strengths by season’s end.

“Leah is an outstanding athlete,” Morrison said of Huling, who is also the No. 1 pitcher on the Ada softball team. “She came in her freshman year not really knowing a lot about soccer, but she’s developed into a good skill player. Her knowledge of the game is really coming along. She and Breann Foster have a work ethic that’s contagious.”

Huling and Foster will joined by veteran Jordan Spiveys and Amaris Smitherman and newcomer Kyler Gilliam in the rotation at midfield.

“Kyler was surprising (at the scrimmage) — she’s going to add some speed for us,” Morrison said of Gilliam. “Jordan Spivey is probabloy the most experienced skill player we have. She has a strong leg and a good knowledge of the game.

“(Smitherman) emerged as a freshman,” he said. “She’s up there because of her speed. I think we can create some breakaways with her up there.”

Morrison said the team’s preparation so far has everybody associated with the Ada soccer program looking forward to the 2012 campaign.

“We’re really anxious to get the season started,” he said. “As far as the work ethic and team chemistry, I see kids who are willing to work hard, and I’m pleased with that.”

Ada Gets Trio of Soccer All-Staters

Bob Forrest Guest Sports Writer Ada Evening News

Ada — Kristina Gonzalez, second on Ada’s career scoring list and the Lady Cougars’ all-time assist leader, and defensive standout Laura Reihart will play on the West squad in next month’s All-State soccer game in Tulsa.

Ronald Lucas, an All-State selection as a defensive back in football last fall, joined a select list of dual all-staters at AHS by being named to the West boys squad in soccer as well.

Gonzalez got a late start this spring because she was the point guard on the Ada basketball team that reached the area tournament, but she still scored eight goals to finish with 48 for her career — second only to another all-stater, Ariel Bayatfar, who graduated last spring.

In addition to her scoring prowess, Gonzalez, a four-year starter, also dished out 26 assists to pass Cara Cliburn on Ada’s career list.

“Kristina is a natural goal scorer but also has the vision to deliver a pinpoint pass from distance,” Ada girls soccer coach Tom Morrison said of Gonzalez. “She is going to play at the next level, deservedly so, and her leadership and passion for the sport will be missed.”

Gonzalez has signed a letter of intent to play soccer at St. Gregory’s College in Shawnee.

Reihart, a three-year starter, had four goals and five assists this spring while serving as one of the Lady Cougars’ co-captains.

“Laura was my sweeper for the last two years and did a great job as the leader of the back four,” Morrison said. “She demands respect as a defender and one of the best shoulder-to-shoulder players in the state. She simply loves the game. If she attacks life with the same passion, the sky’s the limit.”

Lucas scored nine goals in his Ada career, including three this spring. He began by playing defense before switching to forward last year and to midfield for his senior season.

“Ronald had a great attitude, and he’s played just about everywhere you can play on a soccer team,” Ada boys coach Drake Daniels said of Lucas. “He had a great attitude. His teammates elected him captain.

“He did everything he could for the team,” Daniels added. “Every time he turned around we were asking him to do something different.”

In addition to three first-team All-State selections, Rachel McCann, Courtney Sauls and Wamika Kumar earned honorable mention after their senior season for the Lady Cougars.

“All of these girls worked hard for the team and are great examples of student athletes,” Morrison said.

Junior Victoria Lotter was also named to the all-district squad.

“Victoria fought hard for a spot on the 2009 squad as a freshman and has been a two-year starter,” Morrison noted. “She is our only returning captain and can achieve high goals in her senior year.”

Lady Cougar Signs to Play Soccer at St. Gregory's

Ada Evening News

Ada — Ada High soccer ace Kristina Gonzalez, center, seated, signs a scholarship to play soccer for St. Gregory's in Shawnee as her parents, TIno, left, and Lupe look on. In back are, from left. AHS girls soccer coach Tom Morrison, sister Samantha Gonzalez, who is already on the St. Gregory squad, and St. Gregory coach Paul McNally.

Lady Cougars Rally to Beat Duncan

The Ada Evening News

Duncan — Senior Kristina Gonzalez turned in her first hat trick of the season, and Ada rallied from an early deficit to beat Duncan, 3-2, on the road Tuesday night.

GIRLS

Ada 3, Duncan 2

Gonzalez, coming off a 16-goal season as a junior, scored on a pair of free kicks in the first half to wipe out a 1-0 Duncan lead and put the Lady Cougars up 2-1 at intermission.

Ada (5-5, 2-2) dominated play in the second half, and Gonzalez scored her third goal of the match — and eighth of the season — on a breakaway off an assist from Madison Gillispie with about seven minutes remaining. Duncan then scored a late goal against the Ada reserves.

“We had a great second half and created a lot of opportunities,” Ada girls coach Tom Morrison said after seeing his club outshoot Duncan, 16-4. “We’re finding some offense. That’s where we were struggling earlier in the year.”

Morrison also praised the effort of Wamika Kumar (who got an assist on one of Ada’s first-half goal), Victoria Lotter and Blakeley Franz.

“Blakeley is turning into quite a player,” Morrison said of Franz, who bypassed basketball to play soccer this season for the first time.

Tuesday’s victory kept alive Ada’s hope for a playoff berth, but the Lady Cougars will face a tough test at home Friday against Carl Albert (No. 6 in Class 5A) in the first game of a doubleheader.