Today's high school soccer scheduleDivision II-AA State QuarterfinalHutchison at GPS, 1:30Class AAA SectionalOakland at East Hamilton, 4Class A/AA SectionalsChattanooga Christian at Grace Academy, 5Boyd-Buchanan at Notre Dame, 6
Considering her prowess playing goalkeeper for her club soccer team, everybody around the Grace Academy program was on board with freshman Rachel Beard playing the position when it became one of need during the 2014 season.
Everyone but Beard herself.
Expecting to play in the field, the Grace freshman resisted the idea of going in goal when initally asked by coach Gretchen Hammel. Beard already was playing the position for the Chattanooga FC Academy U-15 team; her school season was for playing midfield.
But she's been vital in goal for the Region 3-A/AA champions.
"I cried a little bit on the inside when they told me they wanted me to move into goal. I hate being there," Beard said after Thursday's 2-0 win over Boyd-Buchanan. "But I knew it was going to be best for the team, and I want to win."
It helped that she had the support and encouragement of her teammates.
"We knew she wanted to be in the field, but she gives us confidence in goal," senior defender Holly Badger said. "She's a good goalkeeper. We knew she doesn't want to be there, but we're glad she's doing this for the team."
Hammel hasn't limited the freshman to playing only goalkeeper as the season continues today in a Class A/AA sectional against Chattanooga Christian. But for now, that's where she's needed.
"She has sure hands and she's reliable and consistent," Hammel said. "But Rachel is also an amazing field player, and I can definitely count on her to score if I need her to."
The seniors who have been to four district championship matches are now in their third sectional. They have a chance to take that next step, but Beard's help against the Lady Chargers will be imperative. Last season ended in a 2-1 loss to Notre Dame on a goal during stoppage time.
"I'm super excited about how far we've gone to this point, but we don't want the same thing that happened last year to happen again this year," Beard said. "I'm still out there with the team. I'm close to this senior class, and I want to do whatever I can to help us win."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.