Lady Truckers are on their way

One of the goals entering the season for the Norwalk girls' soccer team was to improve on a 9-4-3 2007 season.

The Lady Truckers are more than halfway there.

Norwalk entered Wednesday's game against Mansfield Christian with a 6-0-1 mark.

"It's been a real good season,'' junior Lisa Patusky said. "We've been working hard.''

The Lady Truckers have won three matches by a combined 31-1 margin.

They've also captured the close ones, including topping Toledo Christian 3-2, Vermilion 3-0 and Ashland Crestview 4-2, while forging a 3-3 tie against Lake Ridge Academy.

Norwalk rallied to beat Crestview in the second half and May's goal in the second 40 minutes produced the tie against Lake Ridge.

"It's good to face more competitive teams and know we can compete with them,'' Patusky said.

Patusky, a junior forward who leads the way with 11 goals and has added five assists, is a captain along with senior midfielder Katie May and senior midfielder-defender Kelly Caldwell.

"I think we've been doing a good job of playing the ball outside and working it in,'' May said. "We've been playing well as a team and are meshing together.''

May has notched 10 goals and seven assists.

"I want them to play with confidence and I try to lead by example,'' she said.

Norwalk is led by first-year coach Rob Young. "Consistency is a big thing,'' he said. "They're very consistent in the things they do and the leadership has been great. I can't or cannot is a bad word. They come out every day and put the effort in rain or shine.''

The other returners are senior defenders Elle McGue, Amanda Reamer and Magan Salmons, midfielders Hannah Duncan and Madeline Smith and forward Hali Wilcox; junior goalkeeper Abby Woodruff and sophomores, goalkeeper-defender Beth Campbell and midfielder Kayla Schaffer.

Woodruff has made 23 saves in goal.

Reamer is third on the team in scoring at 16 with five goals and six assists.

Norwalk is also receiving contributions from its first-year players.

"I think the freshman have stepped up and contributed to our team,'' said Caldwell, who has four goals and six assists for 14 points.

Blackwood ranks fourth on the team in scoring with 15 points, including five goals and five assists.

"We had spring league, then summer games and into two-a-days,'' Blackwood said. "Our team really plays like a team and we all get along.''

Young and assistant coach James Igneczi have been pleased with the play of the freshman.

"We start two freshmen at defense (Laura Penza and Karlee Schaechterle), one in the midfield (Blackwood) and one up top (Carley Wright),'' Igneczi said. "It's amazing that these young girls are able to play so well and be fearless when going up against players that have three years of high school soccer under their belt.

"It's a coach's dream to walk into a program such as this. From the new players to the seniors, parents to administrators...we are a very close knit team."

After having played Mansfield Christian, the Lady Truckers have more eight regular-season matches left before the tournament.

Norwalk is at the Mansfield Madison sectional site with Ashland, Lexington, Madison, Mansfield Sr., Marion Harding, Perkins and Sandusky.

"We want to try and get as far as we can in the tournament and continue to play well,'' May said.