Durant soccer team starts to gel

The Durant High girls soccer team hasn't seen a lot of scoring yet from its young players, but that doesn't concern head coach Dick Sheffield. The Cougars only start two seniors and are loaded with sophomores - something Sheffield said is good for his team's future, but what about right now?

"We are sophomore heavy," Sheffield said. "Right now we don't have an identity, but that will come the more we play together."

After winning the 6A-District 8 title last season, Durant (1-2-1) has started this season slowly on the offensive end. However, Sheffield points to a "quiet strength" within his team.

None is more quiet, or perhaps stronger, than the Cougars' keeper, junior Megan Fox.

"She's extremely quiet," Sheffield said of Fox. "But she is a quiet leader."

"Everyone on our team is extremely confident in her."

Fox is a tall, athletic keeper with great instincts and good hands, among the county's best players. Sheffield said he expected good things from his junior keeper, but was surprised with how much she has improved from last season, when she allowed only nine goals and recorded six shutouts. Sheffield said he sees marked improvement in her ability to clear shots over the top of the crossbar and anticipate and time her jumps.

Durant's season ended last year in a 1-0 loss in the region quarterfinals to Alonso, but did make a statement with a win in the district final against East Bay.

The Cougars lost last season's on-field leader Caitlin Dever to graduation, but may have found a solid replacement in center back Jessica Ross, who Sheffield looks to as a vocal and physical leader. Replacing Dever at sweeper for the next few years is sophomore Shaylyn Corgan.

"She's not quite as confident in herself yet as Caitlin was," Sheffield said of Corgan. "But she will be. She has that same style and skill set."

Marissa Skindell returns up top for the Cougars at forward after leading the team last season with eight goals. However, the key to Durant's offensive attack will again come from the setup of its midfield where (like most of the rest of the team) the Cougars are young.

"Right now we aren't scoring a lot," Sheffield said. "But our offense is built around our midfielders."

Juniors Nicole Grinell and Christina Faliero return to the midfield from last year's team and also play together in club soccer. The two juniors are joined by sophomore Ashley Copen to run the ball control for the Cougars.

Another change for Durant is the Cougars and East Bay have moved to 5A this season and will have to contend with an always tough Newsome squad. The district rivalry will be renewed this season on Tuesday, when Durant travels to East Bay, as the Cougars took both games against the Indians last season.

"It's going to take a while to build confidence in each other - team chemistry if you will," Sheffield said. "Once that comes I think you will see a team that will beat you with being scrappy, tough defense and capitalizing on its opportunities."