Lady Cavs Eye a State Title
Canterbury Girls' Soccer Team will play for a State Title on Saturday, October 29. Chelsea Dourson is in her first year as Canterbury's Head Coach.
How did it feel to win the semi-state game?
Coach Dourson: It was like a dream come true. Our girls have fought to the finish game after game after game in the tournament and we are surely seeing the results. Right before going into overtime, I told the team, "You can do this. You can finish this game right now. Go out there and get one in the back of the net." Minutes later Olivia Menor gets the drop pass from Gabby Dixon, shoots from outside the 18 and the ball soars over their keeper and into the goal. Pure joy! With 4 minutes remaining, we held our ground and the whistle blew. Good tears came fast as I stood there in awe of what happened!
Have you ever coached in a state championship game?
Coach Dourson: I have not coached in a state championship game, but I have always dreamed of doing so. When talking with my parents over fall break, they chuckled and said God has a sense of humor because as a high school senior I told them, "I am going to come back (to Shelbyville) and coach the Golden Bears to the State Finals!" Well, I did get to go and coach the varsity high school soccer girls at my alma mater in Shelbyville these past seven seasons before moving to Fort Wayne, but now God has blessed me to take the Cavs to State! I am humbled and honored. I think it's going to be one of the most exciting times of our lives. This team has become a family. This opportunity is going to be one that our soccer family will never forget. These are memories that we will carry with us always.
Why do you think these girls have been so successful in the postseason?
Coach Dourson: We have had success in the postseason because we have found out who we are as a team and what we are capable of doing. We started to truly trust in each other. Going into the sectional championship we were determined to win and make history that none of us at Canterbury had experienced --winning a sectional. When that happened, I think it opened our eyes that we had everything it took to go further and further --even all the way! And here we are!
Seniors Isabel Schlabach and Hannah Eilers
"When I met Isabel and Hannah for the first time there was an unmatched eagerness in both of them to lead this team and motivate their teammates to work hard and accomplish much. These two have brought just that. They are great leaders on and off the field. Their teammates look up to them and they aren't above the little things. They've put in the hard work and it has deeply affected our unity as a team! So proud."
- Coach Dourson