By Justin Hartsough
Liz Godfrey, Sophmore – Oak Hill
If there was ever a gifted athlete who has always enjoyed playing high school sports, a lot can be said of the dedication and loyalty that Oak Hill’s Liz Godfrey has put in over these last few years. As for someone fairly new to the game of soccer. Liz’s passion to play an outdoor sport only grew after spending the first few weeks of her freshman year as the Eagles manager which sought interest in wanting to help a team who was struggling at the time. The freshman Godfrey knew that something had to be done for her team to have success. After making the squad as a varsity firstcomer, Liz worked her way up the charts and was awarded as the new starting goalkeeper at Oak Hill. Since then, Godfrey has been committed to playing soccer and has really made a huge impact behind the net. Her freshman stats show that she recorded 79 saves after helping the youthful Eagles to a below-average 4-11-2 record before falling to a very good Western Panthers team in the opening round of sectionals. What she totally admires about soccer is the friendships you make and the good vibes that come with it.
“Finding my love for soccer took a different route than most, I was the manager for the team the first two weeks of the season my freshman year. I realized that being the athlete I am I couldn’t just sit there, so I decided to try out for the team and I started playing. Just after a week or two, I was the varsity goalkeeper, and after that, my love for the sport grew! What truly inspired me to play was the people on the team and just the overall atmosphere. They were all very welcoming to me, being a person who never played before, and it just made me realize this was something I was going to love to do the next few years!” Godfrey told Justin Hartsough of One Nation Sports Indiana.
As a three-sport athlete, Liz knows for a fact what separates her from enjoying the game of soccer. It has made her a better player which has helped develop her level of character on the field. While basketball may be her #1 favorite, there’s always room for a second love in life! Godfrey is also a complete natural when it comes to dominating the softball diamond.
“I feel like soccer is that newfound love in these last few years, while basketball has been a lifetime love. Soccer for me is an escape from everyday life and a place to go to have fun. I feel like soccer has made me grow so much more as a person, and, I don’t think I would be who I am today without it! It has taught me many values in life from leadership to being the best teammate on and off the field!” Godfrey exclaimed.
After completing 53 saves to her junior total, the star goalkeeper helped Oak Hill to an impressive 14-2 (4-0) undefeated conference record, which saw the Golden Eagles claim their third sectional title as a girls’ soccer program. Despite losing to state runner-up Leo in last year’s Regional, Oak Hill has a lot on its mind right now if it really wants to chase success. The Lady Eagles return pretty much everybody from last year’s special run which could give them plenty of momentum
heading into the postseason. Godfrey believes that her team has enough firepower to contend for a regional title as they look to make history by going all the way to Indy for a chance to play in the Class 2A State Finals at Carroll Stadium!
“Winning the regional title is the team’s biggest goal this year, and I know every last one of us wants it. What it’s going to take is never being satisfied, and always working hard no matter the score or how much time is left on the clock. With having a successful season last year, teams are going to want to come at us, and we can’t let up just because of our performance last year. Pushing each other every day at practice and holding one another accountable is what it’s going to take to make history for our program!” Godfrey said.
Four days ago, Godfrey was happy to announce over social media that she would be continuing her academic and athletic careers with Earlham College. Choosing the Quakers, felt like the perfect match to continue one’s goal of playing soccer and basketball at the next level. She is much obliged by her decision, and really looks forward to the next four years of her school life in Richmond, Indiana!
“Deciding where to continue my sports career was truly a hard decision, but there’s always a feeling you get when you know it’s the right place for you. When visiting campus it felt so welcoming for me not just with the coaches or players but also with the people on campus. They would stop and say hi, ask how my visit was going, and give me some advice. I already felt welcomed and like I fit in with the sports program as well. Some college coaches may be hesitant about having a dual sport athlete on their roster, but the coaches at Earlham were excited to have me be a dual sport athlete and said they would be happy to work everything out! Truly the community around Earlham is what made it feel like home for me these next four years!” Godfrey stated.
When all is said and done, Godfrey would like to be remembered for her senior leadership at Oak Hill while being a great role model to future girls’ soccer players. She now knows that if you work hard enough at your game, it will definitely pay off in the end! Liz hopes that her hard work on the field can be used as a source of inspiration to help motivate incoming student-athletes to follow her example. Ever since playing her first soccer game, Godfrey wants the world to know that perseverance does prevail if you put your mind right to it.
“After these four years, I want to be remembered as a great leader and an inspiration for others! After my freshman year, I realized that I needed to pick up my game and get to work. I worked hard in the off-season and it showed going into my sophomore year. I want future student-athletes to see what their hard work and dedication can do for them and the team! At the end of the day, I hope after these four years everyone remembers me as a leader on and off the field/court in every way! To push both themselves and their teammates to one day become the best version of themselves!” Godfrey exclaimed.
In just a few weeks, your defending sectional champion Oak Hill Golden Eagles begin a new quest for gold on Saturday, August 24th when they travel 15 minutes down the street to take on their next door neighbor Marion. Set time for this game is scheduled for a 5pm start. Hope you can make it!
Grace Williams, Senior – Dekalb High School
For Dekalb High School senior Grace Williams, the game of soccer has come a long way after taking the reins from her successor in former Baron Sydney Mansfield. With last fall being a learning curve, the 5-6 goalkeeper has figured out a way how to get Dekalb Barons soccer back on the map to have success.
“For me, the next steps to improve our team for the season is to really regroup and come together as a team. Our team has really learned how to work together and progress as one unit throughout last season and then this preseason and I would like to continue that process. We have changed our formation and the way we play to better ourselves as well. Williams told Justin Hartsough of One Nation Sports Indiana.
As team leader and captain of this year’s Lady Barons group, the star goalie cannot wait to bond with her high school teammates this fall, as well as be a great inspiration to them.
“For my senior season, I am really looking forward to getting closer with my team and to become a mentor to other teammates like
I had when I was an underclassman. I’m also looking forward to achieving the goal we have set for ourselves as a team.” Williams replied.
With offseason preparations already going in full swing, Williams has really stepped up her game as a starting goalkeeper for FC Midwest. She says that playing club soccer has made her a better athlete as to why Williams always hustles after loose balls coming her way. Grace’s best game as a varsity soccer player came against a decent Columbia City team where she completed eight saves to help Dekalb secure a 2-0 victory over the Eagles. Williams believes she has learned a lot since then as she looks to make the most of her high school career this fall.
“As far as preseason, my club team has really progressed me as a player and has grown me into a more confident player. I’m still improving myself as a player, but this offseason I feel like I’ve grown a ton. For me, the next step is to transfer that progress onto the Dekalb team. I truly want my last season to be one of our best ones.” Williams said.
After being named to the honorable mention list last season, Williams has intentions of bettering herself as a goalkeeper to consider this season. To do so, she must play her heart out at all costs if she wants to receive the attention of some college coaches. Academics are her main priority as to why she wants to find a university that has a good elementary education program.
“Being named honorable mention last year was an honor, but there is no doubt that I am striving for a higher notice. I think to achieve that, I just need to better my stats and limit my mistakes to as few as possible.” Williams said.
One thing is certain what the 5-6 Williams wants to accomplish before calling it a career with the Lady Barons. She hopes to leave an everlasting impact at Dekalb while motivating others to do the same. Grace has a heart like gold when it comes to putting teammates first, as she looks to make a statement heading into her final year of varsity.
“I would like to spend my senior season as a true leader and to help guide my team to a successful season. My goals are obviously to have a positive record, to win sectionals, and to achieve the first team mention. I want to look at my senior season as a positive send-off into college.” Williams replied.
After last season’s 6-11 (3-4) conference finish, your Dekalb Lady Barons will begin a brand new season together on August 20th when they travel to Spuller Stadium to take on a very aggressive Northrop Lady Bruins bunch. Kick-off for that game is slated for a 7pm start time. Hope you can make it! #WeAreDekalb
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