Jenna ScogginsCLEVELAND, Tenn. - Since cloning wasn't an option, Cleveland High School girls' soccer coach Andy Byrd had to try to figure out a way to maximize the impact of Jenna Scoggins in her final year with the program.
He's done a good job using her everywhere possible.
The four-year starter at goalkeeper for the Lady Blue Raiders has spent almost equal time out in the field for Cleveland this season, in part because of a need for scoring due to teammates' injuries and also because of the emergence of freshman Isabel Tellez, who is able to spell Scoggins in goal.
As a result, Scoggins is the team's leading scorer with five goals for the Lady Raiders entering this weekend's Cleveland Soccer Classic. The team is currently 4-5-2 after tying Grace Christian and dropping matches to sixth-ranked Maryville and Oakland during the tournament.
Maryville was the winner of the event, with a total of 18 points. Teams were awarded six points for a win, three for a tie and one for a loss.
"Coach Byrd told me before the season that if I wanted to play out in the field some, I would have to get Isabel ready. He really left it up to me," Scoggins said Wednesday. "It's been exciting for me. I've been in goal for seven years and have always wanted to be in the field, so I've enjoyed it."
Scoggins has been in her fair share of tight battles. She's 3-1 in penalty-kick shootouts in her career and has been at her best in the clutch. She made a couple of key saves as a freshman when the team defeated McMinn County in PKs in the District 5-AAA semifinals. Tuesday, she saved a couple of shots and netted the game-winning penalty kick when the Lady Raiders defeated Soddy-Daisy.
"She's just a naturally gifted athlete," Byrd said. "She does what needs to be done and is more concerned about what she can do to make the team better, as opposed to what would make her better."
The two-sport standout, who has led the girls' basketball team in assists as a three-year starting point guard, wants to be involved when the match is more important.
"It's more fun stopping a shot in a shootout, because statistically the odds are against you," she said. "If it's a high-pressure match, I want to be in goal because I trust myself and can help out more there."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.