Sage boasts talented lineup

Bryce Alderton

Amy Ray has been coaching Sage Hill School’s girls soccer team since

its inception four years ago and wasn’t reluctant when asked if this

was the most talented squad she has had in that time.

“Definitely,” Ray said about the Lightning, who return 12 from a

team that went 4-13, 3-6 in the Academy League, last season. Sage

Hill didn’t lose anyone to graduation.

A major difference coming into this season from years past is the

number of players who have been playing with club teams.

“I see major improvements in their skill levels, and that is just

from summer and fall training,” said Ray, an assistant athletic

director and teacher at the school. “Laura Gordon spent all summer

and fall in special goalie training for the first time and she has

improved dramatically.”

Gordon and center halfback Amy Werblin, both junior returners,

earned first-team all-league recognition last winter while senior

Megan Curry and sophomore Sara Becker each give the Lightning a spark

at forward. Curry and Becker each earned second-team all-league

accolades last season. Gordon and Curry have been named co-captains.

Werblin, a club player, was the place kicker for the football team

this fall.

“Skill wise, [Werblin] is one of the best players on the team,”

Ray said. “Football has definitely improved her distance.”

Gordon’s twin sister, Rebecca, provides a solid defensive

presence.

“She is the one who guards the opposing team’s strongest player,”

Ray said. “She stays on her opponent like glue and is a lot more

aggressive, which should help our defense.”

Freshmen Kara Percival (center halfback) and Emily Webb (sweeper)

add to the Lightning’s defense with help from sophomore Janele

Shockley.

The Lightning’s returners also include senior Kendra Bostwich,

juniors Desiree Carver-Thomas and Caroline Sauter, as well as

sophomores Grace Graham, a doubles player on the girls tennis team

that reached the CIF Southern Section Division V semifinals, Vista

Murphy and Kelsey Rose. Sage Hill also features freshman Ali

McLaughlin.

“Defensively, we are tough and offensively we are tough, no matter

who we put out there,” Ray said. “We just need a smooth transition

from both.”

Ray said the Lightning (2-1) could be a “dangerous” team when

league play begins, but there is still much work to be done. Amy

Wetherbee will assist Ray.

“We have a lot of individual talent, but as far as meshing as a

team, I know that will take a lot of discipline and heart,” Ray said.

“But everyone has the qualities and that will be a plus for us.”