Lady Raiders boast strong defense for 2002

By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
Aug. 18, 2002
The Lamar Lady Raiders soccer team will depend on young talent and solid defense to lead them to the MPSA playoffs again this season.
According to coach Eddie Escobar, the defense seems to be very important to the squad.
Leading the Lamar defense will be Cheryl Luquire and Jasmine Harris.
Luquire will be the sweeper of the Lady Raider defense and according to Escobar has the talent to play the very important position.
The team is still working out a new keeper to lead the defense. Lizzie Williams will be playing soccer for Lamar for her first year, but Escobar feels she can really help the Lady Raiders in goal.
The team also has a very solid midfield. Lisa Swartzfager will be one of the leaders for the midfield line.
The strikers will be led by Amy Swartzfager. Escobar feels Amy has the skills to finish shots and score goals for the Lamar offense.
The team will depend on the young players of the team to lead them. Brittany Sherrill and Lisa Swartzfager are the team's only seniors. The rest of the team is very young. Six or seven of the starters are only ninth graders.
The teams also has players from seventh and eighth grade that may contribute during the season. Sumner Brown is one of the younger players that will see action.
The team is playing in a tournament near Memphis this weekend to start the season. They played a game on Friday and two on Saturday. The team will also play a game today. Escobar said he will use the tournament to learn more about the team.
The Lady Raiders will play their first home game on Wednesday at 4 p.m. when they host Pillow Academy.