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All-area girls soccer: Walhalla's Wise takes top honor
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WALHALLA — As the Walhalla girls soccer team ticked off eight program records en route to the best season in school history, there was no argument who deserved the majority of the credit.
Senior goalkeeper Cricket Wise.
The Lady Razorbacks went 18-3-1 and advanced to the Upper State championship behind Wise, who rewrote six individual school records. Wise was a captain and unquestioned team leader on a squad that went undefeated in Skyline region play as she collected 13 shutouts, and helped Walhalla to a top three state ranking.
“Ninety nine point nine percent,” said junior Alyssa Doby, when asked of Wise’s contribution to the team. “Without her and her motivation, and the dedication that she showed us that made us want to do the same, we wouldn’t have gone as far as we have. The way she said it, we wanted it too, we wanted it just as bad.”
Wise credits her club coach who told her last fall that in order to play at the next level, she had to be more vocal. And with a new high school coach, and “the right mix of girls” Wise took that to heart to lead the team deep in the playoffs.
“I was more afraid of hurting peoples’ feelings in the past,” Wise said. “This year on the field I could say different things than what I would off the field. I could be a little more stern … to try to help the team succeed in games.”
That communication style helped Wise control all of her teammates across the field, they said. And first-year coach James Powell said Wise often resolved a problem before he got wind of it.
“She’s played so long she understands how a good defense should function,” Powell said, “and she could straighten out problems that us coaches didn’t completely recognize.”
Teammates have said Wise is the one player who held the team together; she could motivate and resolve conflicts almost in the same breath. She earned their respect in the last year, in part by being more vocal.
“If Cricket said something,” sophomore Marlaina Good said, “You did it.”
Early in the season, though, Walhalla was a team that wasn’t known for annual playoff runs. But in its fifth game of the season against No. 6-ranked Christ Church, Wise showed a glimpse of what she’d offer the rest of the campaign.
By stopping 13 largely point-blank shots in a 1-0 victory, Wise started Walhalla on a stretch where the Lady Hogs would win 10 of their next 12 games — including eight by shutout.
“We don’t win that game if we don’t have her as a keeper,” Powell said. “That was the win that really set the tone for the season. Without her, that win doesn’t happen, and there are countless others.”
It’s games like that which explains why Wise will play next season at the College of Charleston, with a chance to compete for the starting nod as a sophomore. Wise said she improved her catching skills from junior to senior year, and expects to adjust to the speed of the college game as a freshman.
That’s why Powell calls her the best keeper around. Sure, there might be others who can punt the ball to the next county, or have go-go gadget arms, but Wise has more of the whole package than anyone else, her coach said.
“She’s got the instinct,” he said. “She knows where she needs to be, she’s got all the tools, she just needs to fine-tune that goal kick.”
Anderson Independent-Mail all-area girls soccer team
CRICKET WISE, WALHALLA, SENIOR GOALKEEPER
The Anderson Independent-Mail Player of the Year and North-South All-Star recorded 13 shutouts and a 0.58 goals against average. Her 197 saves this season was a school record, along with 30 career shutouts, 708 career saves, and 76 games started. “I doubt any other single player has been that influential on a team in the area this season,” Westside coach Ryan Roseberry said.
ALYSSA DOBY, WALHALLA, JUNIOR DEFENDER
The all-state selection was second on the team with eight goals, and led the team with 22 points. She helped the Lady Hogs allow only 14 goals this season.
KENDALL MAXWELL, T.L. HANNA, SENIOR GOALKEEPER
Named to the Clash of the Carolinas roster, Maxwell registered 12 shutouts this season on a team that advanced to the Upper State semifinals. Maxwell collected 25 shutouts the last two seasons, and will play at Ohio State next season.
CAITLIN ROBINSON, T.L. HANNA, SENIOR FORWARD
A member of the Clash of the Carolinas team, Robinson scored 40 goals this season — which led Class 4A — with 14 assists. It was the fourth straight year she led the state in scoring. She finished with 161 goals in her career, and will play next season at USC-Upstate.
HANNAH GMEREK, WREN, SENIOR FORWARD
Will play next season at the College of Charleston, and also plays for the Charlotte Eagles of the United Soccer League. The three-time all-state player scored 27 goals and eight assists for the Lady Canes.
CASEY CRAFT, T.L. HANNA, JUNIOR MIDFIELDER
An all-state selection, Craft was the second-leading scorer on a team that scored 99 goals in 24 games, won Region 1-4A, and advanced to the Upper State semifinals.
DANIELLE BOLTIN, WESTSIDE, SOPHOMORE FORWARD
Led the Lady Rams with 15 goals and 12 assists, Boltin scored or assisted in every game Westside registered a goal. Rebounded from a torn ACL last season to serve as a team captain.
MOLLY HARPE, T.L. HANNA, JUNIOR DEFENDER
An all-Region 1-4A selection, Harpe was part of a defense that held opponents to two goals in region play. “She, overall, makes a lot happen for T.L. Hanna,” said Wren coach Michael Burriss. “Robinson and Craft wouldn’t be what they are without her.”
ALLY BLOOM, WESTSIDE, SOPHOMORE FORWARD
Was second on the team in scoring, for the second straight season, with seven goals and six assists. She also scored three game-winning goals.
COURTNEY ADAIR, D.W. DANIEL, JUNIOR MIDFIELDER
An all-state selection, Adair led Daniel to a 16-5 finish, second place in Western 3A, and an appearance in the second round of the playoffs.
HEATHER RODEBAUGH, BELTON-HONEA PATH, SENIOR FORWARD
A North-South All-Star, Rodebaugh was a captain and the team MVP for the Lady Bears. She holds the school career goals record at 42, is in the top five of her class academically, and will play next season at Presbyterian.
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It is completely evident that you at the Independent Mail have absolutely no idea about girls soccer in our area!!! You have chosen a GK from Walhalla who plays on a team that plays nobody. Anybody that was somebody beat them. Also, if you new anything about girls soccer in this area you would also know that she plays backup to Maxwell from Hanna on their club team. Wonder why? Not to mention that Wise has only played there one year at a higher level, while Maxwell has played that level for 5 years. Maxwell is by far the superior GK in this area. She also holds 5 or 6 school records with winning records against winning programs. Walhalla played a schedule of teams that loses out numbered their wins. Not hard to beat those teams. Hanna's schedule has teams whose wins doubled their loses. I think it can be said best by the colleges these two players are going to. The level of program says it all. Not to mention, that Maxwell was selected to the Clash of the Carolina's ( the elite all-star game in SC).
You guys are so off the mark it is not funny. Just reading the info on each of these players in this article makes you seem confused as to who you should have chosen. Go see a few games before you make these kinds of foolish selections
Just be thankful they post ANYTHING about girl's soccer!
You're right, Maxwell's resume is more extensive, but Hanna is a team that is loaded with club players, so she doesn't make the impact that Wise does for Walhalla. WHS only has two club players and to have the season they did this year is a credit to Wise, her teammates, and their first year coach. Beating Christ Church 2 out of 3 times is no small feat!
And for what it is worth, yes, Wise only played Premier for one year, but she also only tried out for that level once, and made the team, playing U18 when she could have been playing at the U17 level. She is also on the North roster for the North-South Soccer Classic, another "elite all-star game in SC".
For the most part, the All Area Team represents a good cross section of girl's soccer in this area. Thank you Mr. Farner.
in response to kayaks68200
I am very happy that they post anything about girl's soccer!! And not to take away from Wise's contributions to her team, but you have to admit it is not hard to make an impact on a team that has very few club players. It is also not hard to break records where none really existed. It is also not hard to have a good season when your wins come against teams whose records are 115-166. For the record Christ Church was not the team they have been since their premier players were hurt most of the season. Walhalla had a good season, but it is not hard to improve from where they were. While Hanna is full of Club players, it is much harder to make an impact on the team and it is harder to be a team leader with so many high level players that take on leadership roles daily. Maxwell lead that Hanna team well with all those egos and attitudes that come with playing at high levels. Not hard to lead when your the only high level player on the field.
Maxwell and Wise shared equal time in the goal with their club team. You might consider Wise the backup because Maxwell had been on the team for many years, but playing time was equal and games started equal as well. I think that the paper is looking at the impact a player had on a team this year, not just pure stats.
in response to bibobibo
Someone sounds a little bitter. Maybe more than a little.
bibobibo,
Maxwell did not even make all state. Why should she be POY?
in response to myfaultwtf
Maxwell made the High School Sports Report 2008 All-State team. hrrs.com Is one all state better than the other. You know, I not saying that Maxwell should have been POY. What I am saying is that it is next to impossible to compare the two leagues (AAAA & AA). The level of teams, with the exception of a few teams (BE & Woodruff), are just worlds apart. Hanna beat the top two AA teams convincingly. Maybe a AAAA, AAA, AA/A all area team could be the answer. Also it looks like the golden corner area has an all area team. Why should Anderson include the golden corner when they have there own?
Maxwell did not make the Soccer Coaches Association All State team. This is the one voted on by coaches. Not sure how the other is voted and I can't say I've ever heard of it. She wasn't All-State, but she is going to Ohio State and that says something. I think the reason Cricket won the award is because she was a big difference maker. On a team that is already successful, Maxwell just did her job. I'm told she doesn't even have the best goal against average on the team. That belongs to Ally (sp?) Watters and is a good bit lower. Good keeps though and that cannot be argued about any one those on the team. I've seen maryanna play. She wasn't listed on the all region team. Most of the players on this list have creditentials much higher than that except for the west side team (can't leave out the other city school).
bibobibo,
Put Wise between the pipes at Hanna and I'd bet that Hanna would be just a successful. Put Maxwell into the situation at Walhalla and sure she would still succeed on an individual basis as Katie Tate has at Woodmont, but I seriously doubt that Maxwell has the confidence, patience, personality, leadership and ability to put egos aside in order to accomplish what Wise and her coaches and team have accomplished this season. This is not about AA, AAAA, who has played premier the longest or about what colleges these girls are playing for, it is about a player that has helped to pull her team together and take them to the next level. In the big picture, both of these girls are amongst the the top keepers in the state and both are going on to play soccer at the next level at their colleges of choice. Why not just be happy for both of these girls and their accomplishments.
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