Jackson wins 3-0, fresh face nets goals

JACKSON -- Freshman Kasey Crowden sizzled in her high school debut.

The Jackson midfielder scored two goals and added an assist to help the Indians beat Central 3-0 on Tuesday in the season opener for the Jackson girls soccer team.

"I was kind of nervous about it," Crowden said about her first varsity game. "I was really excited that I made varsity."

She didn't let the nerves show.

She took a pass from Jenni Tenholder to the left of the Central goalie, moved in a few steps closer, then unleased a shot that found the far corner of the net for her first varsity goal with 12 minutes, 54 seconds left in the first half.

"I was a little nervous about missing, but I just shot it and made it," she said.

Crowden scored her second varsity goal about 17 minutes into the second half after Tenholder sent a ball deep into Central's zone. Crowden beat Central's goalie, who aggressively came out to break up the chance. Crowden again didn't miss.

"I was just moving to space and looking for the ball," Crowden said. "I was giving to the people who were open. It was really a team effort, passing the ball around."

Tenholder said she expected Crowden to be a major factor.

"I knew she'd be able to finish," Tenholder said. "I was so confident with her. I knew giving her the ball, she was going to make it. On the second one, I didn't even see her coming. I knew someone was going to make a run. When I saw her coming in, I felt good about. I am really excited for her."

Jackson coach Julie Wunderlich said Crowden impressed her Tuesday, playing like a seasoned veteran.

"Most freshmen are nervous coming in," Wunderlich said. "But she came in and played like she was one of the older girls. She was very impressive. She added a lot to the game. She didn't act like a freshman out there."

Crowden, who sports red cleats, doesn't tower over the competition. She uses a mix of speed and savvy to create chances.

"Even though she is a little bit soft-spoken, she is very confident with herself," Tenholder said. "I think she just pulled through. She knows we're all there for her."

Crowden said she doesn't expect to maintain her pace of two goals per game, but Tenholder said she anticipates her freshman teammate to get better as the season progresses.

"She could be even better," Tenholder said of Crowden. "It was surprising that she made both of them. I knew she would be able to follow through because I've played with her and she's played at higher levels. I think she'll be able to be even better for our team."

Jackson controlled the tempo throughout the game Tuesday. The Tigers struggled to maintain any attacks, and the ball spent the vast majority of the game in Central's end. The Indians put the game away when Emily Thompson scored with 20 minutes left in the second half. Katelyn Myracle and Crowden assisted on the play.

"We moved the ball a lot," Tenholder said. "We talked a lot. Communication was really key in that. We read each other off the ball, making runs and stuff. We were just really confident coming in."

The victory was especially sweet for Wunderlich, who made her coaching debut after serving as an assistant for the Indians.

"I was nervous," she said. "I went to Jackson, so Cape has always been my rival. It was a great feeling to start off the season with a win."