KOKOMO, Ind. — Very few soccer teams can say they’ve scored 100 goals in a season. The Delta Eagles happen to be one of them.
Led on offense, Freshman Avery Jerrells – whose 59 goals this season is second in the state and fifth in the nation – the Eagles' powered offense helped them win the school its first regional championship since 2002.
On the defensive side of the ball, senior goalkeeper Ruth Sherck tallied 142 saves and only allowed nine goals. In addition, Sherck recorded a school record of 15 shutouts, breaking the previous record set in the year 2000. Until its loss to Mishawaka Marian in the semi-state title game, Delta hadn’t allowed a single goal in the postseason.
Despite their 2-0 defeat Saturday afternoon, Head Coach Mason Turner was grateful for the Eagles’ postseason run.
“I knew that this team could come out here, that we could definitely win a sectional, but every game after that has been a blessing,” said Turner.
More than anything, Turner was proud of the impact that the girls had made throughout the community and the attention that they brought to the program.
“I mean, look at the fans today, at the section. It's been huge, that's the biggest fan section for a Delta soccer game that I've seen in my life,” said Turner, in regards to the crowd at the semi-state championship. “To see the community behind this team seeing and recognizing everything that they’ve done and worked for in the past few years has been awesome.”
Arguably, the support has mattered more to the team itself. Senior Jordan Bunch recalls a time not too long ago when the team felt invisible in their own school.
“Everyone has just been cheering for us and cheering us on, and I don't even think some people knew we had a girls soccer team before the season,” said Bunch “I think it's just really cool to show the community that we can build around it and how many people and how many people are encouraged by our success, because we really just enjoy being together and that light shines out for everyone else to see.”
The Eagles finished the season 19-2, with conference, sectional, and regional titles.
Contact Jayden Collins with comments at jayden.collins@bsu.edu.
