Athletes of the Week
As one of the Mariner Tritons’ most experienced players, senior defensive captain Matt Isherwood has helped set the tone early in the high school soccer season with a hard-working mentality and consistent play.
Isherwood’s contributions last week helped the Tritons pick up two shutout victories over Cypress Lake and North Fort Myers.
In girls’ soccer, Ida Baker freshman Monique Elliott has made an immediate impact. She scored six goals Saturday as the Bulldogs (9-0) won three matches and claimed the title at the Mariner Invitational.
For their efforts, Isherwood and Elliott are the Daily Breeze Male and Female Athlete of the Week.
In four years with the Tritons, Isherwood has developed a reputation for his willingness to run up from the defensive backfield and join the offensive attack.
Until recently, Isherwood produced his share of assists, but no goals.
In a 3-2 victory over Estero on Nov. 12, Isherwood finally got the burden off his back by finishing a one-on-one opportunity for his long-awaited first goal.
“It was amazing,” he said. “I slid it between the keeper’s legs. It felt good because a lot of people were talking because I run up so much and haven’t scored in four years.”
Isherwood has been instrumental, though, to the Tritons’ defensive success. It continued last week as the Tritons (4-2) allowed one goal in three matches.
After reaching the regional playoffs each of the past three years, they entered this season having to replace some key players, including standout goalkeeper Renato Proia.
Isherwood and fellow captain John Teeter both returned, giving them a solid foundation in front of new starting goalkeeper Matt Brust.
Among Isherwood’s responsibilities is playing in the middle of the defense and making sure the other players are on the same page, moving as one.
Isherwood said the Tritons’ defensive and offensive players work hard to prepare for the opposition.
“When we have practice, it’s a big competition,” he said. “A lot of the defenders will talk with the forwards. It’s a big thing in practice and when we get in the game, we take pride in our defense.”
Isherwood has played soccer for 10 years in Cape Coral. He was born in England before moving to the United States with his father, a member of the Air Force.
Recently, Congressman Connie Mack nominated Isherwood to the U.S. Military Academy.
Along with soccer, Isherwood played on the Mariner football team the past two years, serving mostly as a receiver his junior year, and linebacker and kicker this season.
Honorable mentions:
Nick Presti, junior, Ida Baker Bulldogs soccer – Presti scored one goal in Baker’s win over Gulf Coast last Monday and added four more in a tie with Estero and a victory over Cypress Lake.
Jeremy Davis, senior, Cape Coral Seahawks football – Davis had another impressive performance with 172 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in the Seahawks’ 27-0 playoff win over Lakewood Ranch.
“Determination” and “grit” are the two words Baker coach Dave Trepkowski used when describing what Elliott, a freshman, has brought to the soccer field this season.
Elliott, a forward, played on defense in middle school and at the club level and brings that element of her game to the offensive side.
In nine games, she leads the Bulldogs with 11 goals and seven assists.
“For a freshman, playing against girls that are three, four years older and not backing down, it’s nice to see,” Trepkowski said. “She is relentless. She has an eye for the ball and plays with controlled aggressiveness.”
Elliott’s play helped the Bulldogs win five matches last week.
They defeated Estero 2-0 and Cypress Lake 3-0 earlier in the week, then defeated Port Charlotte, Charlotte and Hardee Saturday in the Mariner Invitational.
Elliott has made her biggest impact at the front of the offensive attack, but there are times when she moves back on defense as the Bulldogs try to preserve a lead.
“If we’re up a goal, we bring her back to do one-on-one marking of one of the other team’s best players,” Trepkowski said. “It’s nice to have that flexibility. We have a lot of players on the team that are flexible.”
It’s important since the Bulldogs have several players with significant club experience. That means in high school they might have to move to a different position than what they’re used to in club soccer.
Elliott developed her two-way skills over the past eight years playing for the Island Coast Soccer Alliance, previously known as the Cyclones.
At first, Elliott said she tried cheerleading and tennis before settling on soccer as her primary sport.
“I like being outside and I like being with all my friends,” she said. “It’s fun being out here playing soccer.”
Elliott said she wanted to help Baker right away, but didn’t anticipate scoring the number of goals she has so far. She said her approach is the team approach to play their best.
“When we go out and play a game, we start off 0-0,” Elliott said. “Even for the second half, we go out there 0-0 no matter what the score is. We want to play to our capability.”
Honorable mentions:
Amanda Kopale, sophomore, Cape Coral Seahawks soccer – Kopale did not surrender a goal last week as the Seahawks defeated Lehigh and South Fort Myers, and tied Fort Myers. She scored a goal in a win over Lehigh.
Rebecca Smith, junior, Mariner Tritons soccer – Smith scored six goals in the Tritons’ three games Saturday in the Mariner Invitational.