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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
August 31, 2006 |
Focused on soccer success
By
Daryl Schepanski - Sports Editor |
CEDAR FALLS — Already having two amazingly successful soccer seasons under her belt as a freshman and sophomore for the South Dakota State women’s soccer program, former Anamosa High School superstar Kelsey Worcester has already made a name for herself at the big time D-I level.
But for Worcester, that’s not enough.
“If you don’t keep working, at this level you can fall behind pretty quickly,” said Worcester who helped the Jackrabbits to a 2-0 start to the 2006 South Dakota State soccer slate with wins at the University of Northern Iowa and Northern Illinois last week. “I guess I just love this game too much not to give it my all. We could have a pretty special season this year and we’re all working as hard as we can and giving it all we’ve got.”
Worcester and her South Dakota State teammates opened the 2006 fall season in Cedar Falls Friday, August 25, with an impressive 3-0 blanking of the host University of Northern Iowa club.
Many of Worcester’s family, friends and former classmates made the trip to watch the Jackrabbits’ leading scorer from the last two seasons in action against the Panthers.
“It was awesome having so many people there to watch me play,” said Worcester. “It pumped me up even more than I already was for our season-opener.” |
Working the field
South Dakota State junior and former Raider Kelsey Worcester looks for an open teammate in Cedar Falls Friday, August 25, during the Jackrabbits’ 3-0 season-opening triumph over UNI. (Journal-Eureka photo by Daryl Schepanski) |
Not afraid to mix it up
Former Anamosa High School soccer star Kelsey Worcester battles for the soccer ball in Cedar Falls Friday, August 25, during South Dakota State’s season-opening 3-0 triumph over the University of Northern Iowa. Worcester, who is entering her third season with the Jackrabbits, scored a pair of goals in a 3-2 SDSU win at Northern Illinois in Dekalb two days later. (Journal-Eureka photo by Daryl Schepanski) |
Worcester tied for the team lead with two shots at the Northern Iowa net as her club tallied eight overall in the contest.
“I wanted to score a goal so much and show everyone what I’ve been working so hard at the last two years,” said Worcester. “But I guess it just wasn’t my night to get a goal. We did what we had to do to win and that’s what it’s all about.”
Worcester teammate Cheslea Goosen scored the Jackrabbits’ first goal of the 2006 season just 7:10 into the match giving the visitors a 1-0 lead they held until the halftime break.
Kerstyn Farrell added another goal for South Dakota State late in the second half then Goosen scored again off an assist by Erin Sakata to seal the Jackrabbits’ victory.
“I thought I played well,” said Worcester. “I did my part.” |
Worcester played another major role in South Dakota State’s 3-2 victory at Northern Illinois in Dekalb Sunday, August 27, scoring a pair of goals in the one-goal win.
“I wish I could have done that at UNI with all my friends and family there,” she said. “It was an incredible feeling scoring those two, especially in a close match like this one was.”
Worcester scored her first goal at the 27:39 mark of the first half firing a shot at the far post after making a cut and a fake to open up the opportunity.
“That felt pretty good finally breaking through and scoring,” said Worcester. “I had so many good looks against UNI but just couldn’t get one into the goal.”
Worcester’s second goal was a sensational tally right in front of the Huskie’s net assisted by Farrell.
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Kelsey’s fan club
Many of Kelsey Worcester’s friends, relatives and former teammates made the trip to Cedar Falls Friday, August 25, to watch the South Dakota State soccer star play her 2006 season-opener against UNI. A few (l-r) Becca Schwebke, Miles Weber, Hollis Weber, Shawna McConaughy, Jade Forrester and Averi Alderdyce were on hand to congratulate Worcester (front, center) on a great game in South Dakota State’s 3-0 victory. (Journal-Eureka photo by Daryl Schepanski) |
“I’ll never forget that goal as long as I live,” she said. “It was one of those rare goals you don’t see happen very often.”
Worcester, roaming towards the Northern Illinois net, went after a crossing pass from Farrell and jumped skyward with Huskie goalie Lindsey Curnock. Both players went high for the ball, but it was Worcester bumping the soccer ball into the Huskie net with her chest giving her team a 2-0 lead mid-way through the first half at the 37:29 mark.
“After the ball rolled in, I fell into the goal as well,” said Worcester. “I can’t remember the last time I scored a goal like that.”
South Dakota State led 2-1 at the half but Northern Illinois knotted the score before Farrell sent the Jackrabbits home with a win after scoring in the match’s 79th minute.
“We’re off to a good start this year,” said Worcester who tallied two more shots in the road win. “As a team, we are so focused this year. This is our third year competing at the Division-I level and we just keep making strides as a team, a program and players competing at this level.”
Worcester returns for her junior campaign as the team’s leading scorer tallying five goals during the 2005 fall with two assists. Her 36 shots last season were also a team-best.
“Our 2005 campaign was certainly a roller coaster affair with highs and lows,” said SDSU women’s soccer head coach Lang Wedemeyer, who guided the Jackrabbits to a 5-12-1 mark in his sixth year with the program. “To this team’s credit, they all stayed the course and have made huge improvements through the spring season.”
SDSU returns almost their entire roster for the 2006 run with 17 letter winners back.
“Our focus is so good this year,” said Worcester. “That’s been my biggest improvement too.
We’re all focused to win.” |
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