 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
School Sports
Area players stay sharp with RailHawks Women Carolina thumps Hampton Roads 4-1 on Saturday By Michael Lindsay CARY -- For years, collegiate women's soccer players kept in shape on their own during the summer months before their school's soccer season in the fall. This year, though, with the introduction of the Carolina RailHawks Women team, they can do what they want to do most: play soccer. "It's a whole different thing running to keep in shape as opposed to playing games, which I'd much rather play games every other day," said Sarah Winslow, following the RailHawks Women's 4-1 win against Hampton Roads on Saturday at WakeMed Soccer Park. Winslow, a rising junior at Wake Forest, starred at Fike High School from 2003-2006, twice setting the state's single-season scoring record in her freshman and senior seasons. In summers past, Winslow said, she mainly focused on her training regimen, which she still must continue on her own. But now, she and her teammates keep in shape physically and stay sharp mentally through live competition, with games and twice-a-week practices, with some of the best collegiate and pro soccer players in the country. And even practices are mostly five-on-five or eight-on-eight scrimmages. "Talking with the college coaches in the area, they appreciate that we're playing two or three times a week, because that's what the players need," said head coach Jay Howell, who is also the director of coaching for the Capital Area Soccer League. In their first season, the RailHawks Women compete in the United Soccer Leagues' W-League, comprised of NCAA Division I players and also professional and international players. Joining Winslow are Barton College's Allie Wilkerson and Ashley Gregory. Assisting Howell is Ike Onyeador, and working in the box office are former Barton athletes Kevin Brosseau and Jason Schmieg. "Just trying to get a small town recognized for all the good things it can do," said Onyeador, who coaches nearly every level of soccer in Wilson, including at Fike and Barton. "We've got the people capable of doing it. So, it's good for Wilson and Barton. "It's just a good atmosphere to advertise and show what a small school's capable of doing on a big stage." Wilkerson, who transferred from N.C. State University after one season, was the Conference Carolinas Women's Soccer Player of the Year in the fall of 2007. Gregory, a Community Christian School product, has been the starting goalkeeper for the Lady Bulldogs since enrolling at Barton, ranking first in the conference last season in save percentage. As two of just four non-Div. I players with the RailHawks Women, Wilkerson and Gregory haven't seen as much game time as they are used to. But playing with players from area schools including North Carolina, Duke, N.C. State and Wake Forest regularly has been an incredible learning experience, Gregory said. "Obviously, we have some good players at Barton," Gregory said. "But to come out here and be around a whole team that's mostly ACC players just makes me a better player. "But it's also a humbling experience. I'm used to being a starter, and to come out here, it makes me step back and really go after it. "... It gives me that drive and makes me excited to be out here and know I'll be going back to Barton." With the WakeMed Soccer Park less than an hour from Wilson, family and friends have the opportunity to follow the team much more closely than they normally might. "I really love it," Winslow said. "Even when I'm at home, you really wouldn't expect people to know much about it, but they're interested and keeping up with it. "It's just exciting to have such a following from Wilson and have that many people involved." Carolina got goals from N.C. State standout Lindsay Vera, Duke midfielder Kendall Bradley, University of Georgia All-American Carrie Patterson and W-League veteran Ali Baker. Goalkeeper Molly Baird recorded three saves as the RailHawks Women improved to 5-4-1. The RailHawks Women play three more home games -- beginning Thursday against the Charlotte Lady Eagles. Game time is 4 p.m., followed by the RailHawks men at 8. For more information, call (919) 859-5425 or visit www.carolinarailhawks.com. mlindsay@wilsontimes.com | 265-7807
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
