By Audrey Dodgen/Staff Writer

Injuries hounded the El Reno High School girls soccer team Tuesday in its 5-0 loss to the Chickasha Fightin’ Chicks.

The district loss came after Chickasha scored early on recently-returned goalkeeper Taylor Martin.

“I made a strategic error trying to get more offense on the field,” interim head coach Ray Apple said.

“Taylor hasn’t been able to practice. This was her first day back and she wasn’t ready for that yet. That’s not her fault. It’s mine.”

The Indians took six shots on goal in the match.

K’risa Hawkins hit three and Silveria Pena, Zemeka Robinson and Britney Nuzum each took one.
Martin gave up three goals and Sarah Apple gave up two. Between the two keepers, they earned a total of 12 saves.

“We continue to improve. We had a breakdown early in this game and then we got down on ourselves. After they scored three on us, we got convinced we couldn’t do it, and we got down. We are a young team, and we haven’t learned how to come back from that kind of adversity,” Apple said.

The squad played without Anjulie Simpson, who suffered a laceration on her knee which kept her from suiting up for the game.

“We are hoping to have her back at practice today,” he said.

In the opening minutes of the game, senior defender Misti Williams injured her knee, forcing her to leave the game. She returned only to have the knee twisted after a few minutes on the field.

“She twisted pretty good in about three minutes. I’m not sure of the damage to it,” Apple said.

Freshman Summer Blackowl stepped in front of a shot on goal and deflected the ball off her eye. She returned to the game after an application of ice.

“Summer caught that ball right in the eye. She did manage to stop the shot and kept it from scoring, all using her eye. She is a trooper and I have no doubt she’ll keep coming back,” Apple said.

The personnel changes forced by the injuries hamper the squad’s ability to build continuity. Each player is becoming accustomed to playing in their position with specific players around them, Apple said.

“Having injuries like that really throws them out of sync,” he said.

Freshman Mary Sleeper took over in the backfield when Williams retired from the game. Apple said her time on the field was one indication of the team’s progress.

“Mary has probably the most flamboyant personality of any girl on the team. She has never really played soccer before, but she follows directions and is getting better all the time. Last night she made great stops, she cleared the ball, she used her weak-side foot and she did what we asked,” he said.

“She is very intelligent and athletic and she just needs more time playing soccer.”

Yesterday’s game also saw the return of senior Jaclyn Rhoades. Rhoades joined the squad at the conclusion of the Indians’ basketball season, and suffered in minor knee injury in the Indians’ opening soccer game. After taking time away from soccer to heal her knee, Rhoades contemplated whether the risk of the game was acceptable.

“Jaclyn comes out here and gives everything she has, but basketball is her life. This is an extra sport for her and she doesn’t want to have an injury that could cost her a college basketball career,” he said.

Apple said Rhoades’ presence on the field gives the team speed, leadership and a positive influence.

“Jaclyn is in fantastic shape. We had her running from one end of the field to the other and she just kept going. One of the officials told me she has the best throw-in he’s ever seen at the high school level,” he said.

“She isn’t afraid to take the ball off her head, or chest, or to put a leg up and get it. She has a light personality, very happy and always laughing, but she is also out there to compete. She really is a senior leader and very positive for the team.”

Apple said he expects coach Richard Nix, the squad’s head coach who was sidelined with heart surgery, to return to a more active role next week.