Junior leads way for young Cougars’ team
Third-year Greenfield-Central coach Erin Clark thinks this could be the year the Cougars could finally wreak some havoc. For a team that only graduated two seniors (and only has two seniors on this year’s roster), its no surprise that Greenfield-Central has relied heavily on underclassmen the last two seasons.
While the Greenfield-Central Cougars will again rely mostly on non-seniors, the players now have crucial varsity experience under their belt that can be taken into the 2015 season.
The team will be captained by junior midfielder Katie Helgason, a two-time All-Hoosier Heritage Conference player.
Clark was not shy in her expectations or praise for Helgason: “She’s the hardest working player I’ve ever coached. We’re looking for a lot from her.”
Also captains for the 2015 team will be Tiffany Richmond, Jenna Allen and Jordan Rupely.
Clark also is excited to pair Helgason with freshman standout Lucy Brand, who teamed up with Mt. Vernon freshmen Lexie Hardy and Cleo Mills to place third at the U14 nationals.
Brand and Helgason hope to feed forwards junior Reagan Collins and freshman Trystan Ailes to form a strong offense, but its stability in the back that could lead the Cougars to a much improved season, lead by senior captain Jordan Rupely, who is returning from a torn ACL.
“We’ve had the same four girls play defense the last three seasons, so we hope to use that cohesion that other teams may not have to our advantage,” said Clark.
Sophomore Kayla Enoch is moving from the outfield to goalkeeper after working with the Goalkeeper Academy all winter and playing the position for her club team.
“This is the first year in which we have a solid starting lineup and solid subs coming off the bench,” Clark said. “Our main goal is to win sectional, but we also feel like we are able to really compete and beat Mt. Vernon and New Pal this year; and I’m sure they want to beat us too.”
Kickoff: Greenfield-Central started the season Monday by hosting Warren Central.
