Super sophomore: Taylor Carper's goal bonanza leads Southwest soccer hopes
Just like coach Chelsea D’Zurilla wanted, the Southwest girls soccer team methodically moved the ball up the pitch, with backline players starting the surge toward the middle.
Seconds later, the Stallions were in business on the attacking side during a recent 8-0 home win over James Kenan. A midfielder pushed the ball toward goal and passed to Taylor Carper, who did what she has done best this season: find the back of the net.
Yes, Carper scored, but the sophomore is quick to credit her teammates for their work.
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“We play together and we have gotten better every practice and every game,” Carper said. “We all have put in the work. This is a really good team to be a part of.”
That cohesiveness is a big reason the Stallions (9-3-2, 4-1) are in contention for the East Central 2-A Conference title, one game in the loss column behind East Duplin.
And Carper has emerged as one of the area’s top goal-scorers this spring with 38, to go along with 10 assists.
She had 12 goals in 12 games as a freshman.
“I have a goal to be No. 1 in the conference in scoring,” Carper said. “I have been working hard and doing the extra work outside of practice and games by going outside and kicking the ball just to get better.”
Carper’s thought process when she receives the ball is simple: attack the closest defender.
“Taylor has always showed up to play hard, but I would say that she has matured as a player in that she does not shy away from contact as she did before,” D’Zurilla said. “She has taken ownership of her role. She has become smarter with the ball and she makes decisions better.”
That growth starts with practice, the coach added.
“Her teammates know that she is able to score goals and she does finish well,” D’Zurilla said. “But she is also able to take any feedback from us and she applies it to the game.”
Carper and the Stallions look to continue their scoring ways Tuesday, when they play host to South Lenoir. They have three more matches before a showdown at East Duplin on May 5 to end the regular season.
Southwest lost 2-1 in overtime at home to the Panthers on March 18 for their only ECC defeat.
“I expect us to continue to work hard,” Carper said. “We want to go for a state championship.”
Chris Miller can be contacted via email at chris.miller@jdnews.com. Follow him on twitter @jdnsports.
This article originally appeared on The Daily News: Sophomore Taylor Carper the leading scorer for Southwest girls soccer
