JSMS soccer teams half way through season - By Jim Beers

The Jordan-Small Middle School (JSMS) soccer teams are midway through their 2016 seasons. Starting with the girls team, and they are led by veteran soccer coach Adina Baseler. In her first year coaching at JSMS, she immediately stepped into a challenging situation. Most of the 2015 girls team that would have returned, left to play field hockey instead, giving coach Baseler a younger, more inexperienced team this season. 

"They came together at the start of the season with such diverse skill sets. Some players had never strapped on cleats, but this only seemed to strengthen the bond between the experienced and inexperienced players. They really came together as a team, and it has made this group of young women a true joy to coach," said Baseler, who teaches sixth grade English language arts and social studies at JSMS. The Lady Roadrunners are 0-8 to start the season, but always play hard no matter the score, or the record. 

The roster consists of sixth graders Caroline Bolk, Abby Cochrane, Caylan Kinney, Angelina Vo and Kaydence DeHahn. Seventh graders are Aubrie Froisland, Hailie May Landman, Kaylee Lacasce, Lily Oldershaw, Emma Furey and Isabel Dionne. Rounding out the team are eighth graders Hayleigh Davis, Jesula Murch, Vania Murch, Jaden Murphy, Lydia Knights and Marisa Knights. 

"I am very proud of each of my players. I have watched each member of the team grow as both an individual, and a player, and I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to grow with them," added coach Baseler.

The Boys have picked up where they left off last year, charging out to a 6-0-2 record so far. Dating back to the second week of the 2014 season, the boys team has not lost in 32 consecutive games. Coached by Jim Beers, the Roadrunners have scored 36 goals, while allowing 9. Eighth grader Keegan Brooks leads the team in goals with 17. He is ably backed up by seventh grader Alex "Bob" Wing, with nine goals. 

"We work very hard as a team. We have a lot of pride in what we do, and for the school we represent," said coach Beers. Jayson Plummer, Alec Brooks, Oliver Backman and Nathan Plummer patrol the midfield, while Reese Merritt, Boden Sabasteanski, Cayden Theriault and Caleb Crockett make up the starting defense. First year player Niall Gushue starts in goal. 

Seventh graders on the team are Oliver Backman, Sam Gurney, Raymond Dulac, Eli Rogers, Cal Shimko, Alex Swindler and Bob Wing. The eighth graders are Jayson Plummer, Cayden Theriault, Reese Merritt, Niall Gushue, Nathan Plummer, Boden Sabasteanski, Caleb Crockett, Justin Vo, Jeremiah Doherty, Geno Koumphonpakdy, Keegan and Alec Brooks. 

"The team is very talented, at all positions, and that's due to the leadership of our eighth grade class. The effort they show in practice and games is a great example for our seventh graders to learn from," added Beers.