Young blood

Bryce Alderton

Motivation and camaraderie, two traits the Sage Hill School girls

soccer team possesses this year, according to third-year Lightning

Coach Amy Ray (formerly Peterson).

The Lightning has gone 1-5 in the early season as Academy League

play knocks on the door beginning in January. But Ray contends the

players are getting along and are motivated to achieve success on the

field.

“The girls are really bonding and having a great time even though

our record might not show that,” said Ray, a four-year player at USC

after she helped lead Marina High to a CIF title as a senior there in

1993. “They’re learning a lot about themselves every game and I’m

seeing improvement in all areas. I think once league starts they will

be more comfortable with each other and the skill level will get

better.”

Sage Hill next plays Laguna Beach in a nonleague game Jan. 7

before starting league play.

The Lightning lost four starters from a year ago including

Mackenzie O’Brien, Caitlin Hardesty, Kelly Jewel and Alexi Hands. Ray

returns 10 on a 16-player team that has no seniors.

Junior Megan Curry, one of the team’s co-captains along with

sophomore goalie Laura Gordon, is a scoring threat for the Lightning

along with freshman forward Sara Becker.

Two freshmen, Katie McKitterick and Vista Murphy, will each play

at the midfield and returner Amy Werblin will see action at sweeper

this season in addition to holding her spot at outside left halfback.

“(Werblin) has a huge foot on her and is aggressive,” Ray said.

Gordon began playing goalie last season and is a gymnast.

“She has no problems diving and has the ability to move around the

goal very well,” said Ray, the school’s assistant athletic director

and head softball coach.

Other Sage returners include juniors Kendra Bostwick, Ashley

Negrette and Laura Webb along with sophomores Desiree Carver-Thomas,

Rebecca Gordon (Laura’s sister), Caroline Sauter and Jessica Torina.

Freshmen Grace Graham, Kelsey Rose and Janele Shockley give Ray hope

for a successful program in the coming years. Of Sage Hill’s 16

players, six compete on club teams.

“Once league starts the players will be comfortable with each

other and we’ll do better overall,” Ray said.