Kellam Hoping for Four in a Row
When the Kellam Knights girls' soccer team takes the field in the Beach District this spring, they will be defending a hard-fought state title. In fact, state competition is becoming somewhat of a routine for this talented squad; they have competed at the state level for the past three seasons.
Coach Mario Hurdle, in his fourth year leading the girls' team at Kellam, hopes to make it four in a row.
Hurdle knows, however, that he must wade through some pretty rough waters if the Knights will advance beyond Virginia Beach in 2006. "Our district is undoubtedly one of the top in the state," he says. "Each team is extremely competitive. There are the usual front-runners: Cox, First Colonial, Princess Anne, Kempsville and Ocean Lakes. But every team will be strong this year. We will probably see a strong showing from Landstown and Salem as well." Hurdle notes that the Knights' state championship has essentially painted a big target on them as far as other teams in the district are concerned.
And even though the Knights were one of the best girls' soccer teams in Virginia last year, they still keep their focus close to home. "I would love to win the regular season. We have yet to do that," says Hurdle. "Of course, our larger goal is a repeat of last year. But I think if we can win our last game, we will be happy." One key strategy that Hurdle attributes to the Knights' success has been to get several defenders behind the ball when the opponent's offense attacks the goal. "The old saying is true," claims Hurdle. "Defense wins games. That was our key to success last year."
This year's roster all but guarantees that the Knights will shine defensively once again. Although Kellam lost four key players last year to graduation, there is still a strong cadre of returning players, an advantage not all teams in the Beach District enjoy. Several players, including Ashley Kukura, twins Kaitlyn and Cory Roan, and Tiffany Gloshen, will be a key part of the Knights' success this year.
Also key to Kellam's success will be Laura Miller, an eighteen-year-old senior with incredible speed. An outside back, Miller plays a critical role in maintaining the Knights' tough defensive posture. Her greatest asset to the squad is her aggressive style of play that includes a quickness of both mind and body capable of shutting down fast oncoming attackers. Miller's swiftness is no doubt attributable to the fact that she and the young ladies on her squad have been conditioning since November. Although VHSL rules prohibit practicing prior to February, Miller and her fellow athletes have taken it upon themselves to train independently, demonstrating why they were able to clinch the state title last year.
Miller agrees with her coach about the assets that the Knights will bring to the field this year. "Last season, defense made all the difference. It is very important for us to hold up the defensive line," she says, noting in particular that she thrives on the defensive drills in practice.
But Miller's assessment of her team does not stop at their defensive ability; there are several other areas in which she recognizes solid potential. "We've got quickness all over the field," she says. "We play through the midfield a lot." And their strategy for getting the ball into the goal? Miller explains that they rely on, among other things, textbook plays for scoring points. Their strategy is simply to execute the plays well. "We're pretty effective at taking it down the line and then moving it to the middle. It's the good passing that makes the difference."
Aside from honing her skills at Kellam, Miller also plays for the Virginia Rush soccer club, a local traveling team. She attributes much of her successes to Meredith Flaherty, her coach on that team. Miller says that Flaherty, who played at Clemson and the University of Florida, both nurtures her athletic ability and challenges her at the same time.
Miller's skill and determination has paid dividends. She has accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Rhode Island beginning in the fall of 2006. There she will be part of the soccer team and likely upset as many attackers as she was able to in the Beach District.
