FORTVILLE — The Mt. Vernon girls soccer team suffered a painful defeat in their final conference game last year; beat by two goals in penalty kicks at home, the Marauders were forced to share the conference title.
And that hurt, said Cleo Mills.
But last year the team chemistry just wasn’t there, said Mills’ scoring partner-in-crime, Alexi Hardie. This year is proving to be something much different.
Mt. Vernon’s girls soccer team is turning out stronger than ever before this season, head coach Steve Williams said. The Marauders are now 14-1 overall, finishing 7-0 in the Hoosier Heritage Conference.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Just like last year, it all came down to a game against Pendleton Heights. With a 3-0 win Monday, the Marauders claimed the conference title for themselves this year.
The difference this year is this Marauders team has an excellent blend of veteran players and talented new blood, Williams said. With better defensive skills and an overall improved dynamic between players, team chemistry is at an all-time high.
And it’s their top two seniors, Mills and Hardie, who have stepped up to become the leaders determined to make the difference, Williams said.
The two inseparable girls have now played as a dynamic duo on school and travel teams for 10 years. Having been close friends and teammates since they were 7 years old, Alexi and Cleo have developed a bond that allows them to practically read each others’ minds during play, they said.
Quite the team
Hardie is assist-crazy, Williams said. She always has been.
With a staggering 85 career assists, Hardie is Mt. Vernon’s career leader by "at least 50 assists," Williams asid.
Hardie is 30 assists ahead of any player on the boys team. Reading the field is simply her specialty.
"She has a really good first touch, and she just sees everybody," Williams said. "The only problem I have with Alexi is getting her to shoot more, but she’s more than picked up this season as a senior."
Despite spending virtually her entire junior year stuck on the bench thanks to an ACL injury, Mills still boasts 72 career goals as a high school athlete.
While she normally plays as a defender on her travel team, FC Pride, Williams has Cleo playing offense because of her natural speed and technical abilities, he said. She’s clocked in 27 goals this season alone, making her first in the county in scoring and the second highest scorer in the conference.
"(Cleo) has worked her butt off to get back where she’s at," Williams said. "I’m really thrilled for her."
With unmatched coordination between the two, their combined precision and scoring prowess always lead to points on the board, the girls said. The flow of the game just comes naturally to them at this point.
"It’s kind of always been a science," Mills said. "I don’t think we go into practice and plan on playing to each other, but it just kind of happens. We both play in central positions, which always helps."
The two said it’s hard to believe that they’ve been playing together for so long. During last week’s senior-night game, it was a surreal feeling knowing that they’re in their final days of taking the field at Mt. Vernon.
It hasn’t quite hit them yet, they said.
Mills and Hardie said they’re interested in studying exercise science, physical therapy and nutrition when they move on to college after graduation. Hardie has signed to play soccer with the University of Indianapolis. Mills remains undecided, though she has been speaking with coaches at Anderson University and Hanover College.
Bringing it home
The Marauders are riding the high of their victory over a previously-undefeated Batesville last week, Mills said. With Batesville having defeated the likes of Cathedral, Mt. Vernon was left with a powerful positive outlook moving into their final conference game against Pendleton Heights.
Monday night was their moment for redemption, Hardie said.
"I feel like we choked a little bit in our loss last year," Hardie said prior to the game. "But I really think we can take it home this year."
They did, in large part due to Hardie’s two goals. Mills added a goal, too.
Whatever the season has in store, Williams said he’s immeasurably proud of the two girls and the leadership and presence they’ve brought to his team.
“Both of those girls, I have nothing to worry about," Williams said. "Whatever happens to this team, it won’t be because of lack of effort from Cleo or Alexi. They’re humble, they’re respectful, and I’ve never not seen them working hard.”
"They’ve set the bar for a long time to come," he said. "They’re two of the best players we’ve ever had here, in attitude and in play."
