The Jan. 16 4A-9 girls soccer championship game was a classic. The Plant City Lady Raiders played well en route to their fourth consecutive championship, which they won when junior Kylee Burroughs capitalized on a perfectly placed corner kick.
That was a big win for you guys, and you had the game-winning goal at the end. What was that game like, from your perspective?
It was kind of a downer, that we got scored on from the beginning and got scored on right after we scored. But, our coach (Caleb Roberts) told us to keep our heads up, and that’s all we did. We talked each other through it. We talked at halftime, like, “We do this every single time, it’s just another game.” We ended up with two more goals — we were all just there for each other.
This was the second time you’ve played East Bay this year. The first game was a 1-0 loss at home. So, what were you all looking to change this time?
Probably our focus, because we have trouble doing that. But, our coach changes our warm-ups constantly, so it’s something new each time. The other one (thing to change) was just to play for each other.
You came up with that game-winner when East Bay was playing rough. How did you pull that off?
First off, it started with a great kick by Alicia (Marquez). I just happened to run to the front post like usual. We have our plays during practice — we have one (player) up top, three across the middle, one in the back and one that runs to the front post. I just squeezed through.
After that goal, you all had to hold on to that lead for two minutes and it did not look easy. What was the key to keeping the lead?
We changed our formation. Instead of having our three in the middle, we actually pushed a player back. So we had our back four, a player in front of them and our three midfielders, and one up top. We had most of our defenders push back and people marking.
What are some of your hobbies, besides soccer?
I like drawing. To be honest, soccer is basically my life. There’s not really anything else. I guess the only other thing is working at my parents’ restaurant, which is City Pizza.
How long have you been drawing?
Since I was little. My dad taught me, and I just picked it up from there. I get my creativity from my mother. I like to draw animals. I’m more of a still-life person than portraits, because those are hard.
And you also make cakes with your mom?
Yes. I love doing that. I’m more of the decorator person — she bakes, and stuff like that — but it’s something for me and her to bond, since I’m going to leave soon. It’s one more thing to add to our list of mother-daughter time.
Who’s your favorite athlete?
Soccer-wise, I would say either Neymar or Cristiano Ronaldo. Girl-wise, I would say Sydney Leroux or Alex Morgan, since they play my position.
If you could try any sport you’ve never played before, what would it be?
Maybe lacrosse. I’m interested in the physical part of it and the aggressiveness. It’s also related to soccer in some ways, so I figure I could catch onto that more.
If you could meet anyone, who would it be and what would you talk to them about?
Neymar, and we would probably just talk about soccer. That’s basically my life, and what I enjoy the most.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
To be invisible. I could get away with stuff that I couldn’t get away with if I was seen, I guess. It would be funny if someone was out doing something and you just came by, poked them, they freaked out. I would find it funny.