One of the keys to Durant soccer’s great season is its strong senior core. New head coach Susan Peet is quick to point out that, while all have played well, forward Jacquelyn “Mack” Thompson’s soccer IQ and scoring touch are crucial to the unit’s success.
It looks to me like you all have had a great season. In your opinion, how did it go?
I think, this year, it’s gone very well for us. Especially with new coaches coming in — it’s had a big effect on us. They’ve really helped us a lot as a team, helped us find each other more, been available for us and helped us get comfortable with each other on the field. It’s been easier connecting passes. Also, with most of us being upperclassmen, we’ve just wanted this bad. All five of us seniors, we’ve wanted this for so long. We knew this year was going to be our dominant year.
What are some of the changes you’ve all had to make to improve like this?
I’ve got to say the effort. We added a lot of new players, only two freshmen, but a lot of new players that have moved here. With their experience, it’s been a big effect. We’ve been very confident in ourselves this year, and we’ve all had positive attitudes on and off the field. We all just get along really well.
How have you, personally, improved this season?
I think, definitely, the different coaching style — having a new coach almost every year, the last four years I’ve been playing for Durant. With coach (Peet) being my last one here, she’s helped me open up a little more and noticed some things I’ve never noticed. I’ll be able to put these things into my college experience and my club experience as well.
You and several of your teammates won a national championship with Tampa Bay United this season too.
Yes, we won the U17 national championship.
So you all had a little bit of a championship pedigree heading into the postseason. I know this will run after the East Bay game, but how do you like your chances?
I think, with this group of girls, they’re really focused. They’re really excited to be playing in the district games. I think we’re going to be well-prepared.
What’s your proudest moment from this season?
Everyone can agree — it’s when we tied Newsome, 2-2. That’s a game I think I’ll never forget. I scored both of those goals off of set plays from Cat Headley’s serves into the box. I think the excitement we got, even though we tied, it felt like a win. Their heads went down. Newsome is a very good team on both sides of the field. It was pretty overwhelming, pretty exciting.
Any college plans?
In my sophomore year, I verbally committed to UCF, so I will be heading there shortly after graduation to start my college soccer career.
How long have you been playing?
I started when I was around 4 years old, and started club when I was 9 years old, so, a very long time. About 13 years.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done on a soccer field?
Scoring off of throw-ins. I’ve been able to score a couple of those goals a season, throughout four years.
What’s your favorite position to play?
In high school, I like playing forward. I like to score goals. My main position is center back, and I’d say that’s my favorite position. I just like shutting down the players.
Are there any sports you’ve always wanted to try, but never got the chance to?
I’ve always wanted to try flag football and track. A girl on my team, Rebekah Anderson, and I are going to probably train with the track team. She’s also going off to college for soccer, so her and I are going to train with the track team and practice to get ourselves fit for college. She’s going to USF — she committed this past year. It would be good for us to prepare ourselves for the high level of play we have ahead of us.
What do you hope to accomplish between now and graduation?
Getting past some of my exams, for sure. I definitely want to get A’s and B’s on these exams, boost my GPA up and go to college knowing I had good grades. My coaches will see that too.