In what has been a roller coaster season for the Beecher girls soccer team, Stephanie Hall has been riding at the front of the car and experiencing the ups and downs as much as anyone.
The senior midfielder suffered a sprained wrist just last week, but after having a soft cast put on the injury, Hall will lead the Ladycats into the Class 1A Manteno Regional on Tuesday against Peotone.
Hall is the heart and soul of the Beecher team, and she doesn't plan on letting the injury affect her play. Hall returned to the field this week and will wait for the offseason for further treatment on her wrist.
"I have to go back to the doctor after the soccer season but it's good for now," Hall said.
It also has been an up and down season for the Ladycats. The team has struggled at times finishing on their scoring opportunities, while on the defensive end the Ladycats are more than able to hold their own with anyone. Beecher will need Hall to create opportunities for her teammates and for herself if the team hopes to go places in the regional.
"I think I just need to get the team motivated," Hall said. "Get them talking and also get to them what winning really means because we're doing good but we just need to step it up."
Beecher coach Dawn Compton is confident in her team's abilities if they come to play.
"I think if we play our very best soccer we can stay with anybody," Compton said. "But we've also been up and down all year. It just depends on which team decides to show up."
Compton also knows that the Ladycats' ability to go anywhere in the tournament will be a direct result of Hall's play on the pitch.
"Stephanie is vital to our success," Compton said. "She leads our team in goals, she leads our team in assists. Our offense is built around her. When we had to play without her we really struggled to get anything going offensively."
Both Hall and Compton agree that the Ladycats have struggled at times with the mental aspects of the game and both know that the team will need to be confident in their play.
"I think we need to know that we can beat any team that we come across," Hall said. "Not be overconfident, we just need to be confident in ourselves."
Hall is confident in her own and her team's abilities, and she has a good idea just what exactly it will take for Beecher to see success in regional play.
"We just need to communicate and connect our passes," Hall said. "Finish our shots and our corners and we'll be successful."
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