Mixing it with the guys

By Sean Ammerman

Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008 | midnight

Lake Mead Christian Academy freshman Emily Dean has plenty of experience playing soccer with the boys.

Growing up with two older brothers, she had to learn to play aggressively or get left behind during family summer soccer games.

Dean is now putting that experience to use as one of four girls on Lake Mead's boys soccer team.

"I knocked a few boys down — that's always fun," Dean said after the Eagles' first game. "They're a lot faster and more rough. I'll definitely get used to being more aggressive and passing quicker. All boys sports are at a faster pace."

Dean is joined by sophomore Hannah Wadley and freshmen Annabelle Liston and Abby Gamino to make the Eagles' about 25 percent female.

Athletic Director Jeff Newton had no reservations about allowing girls to join the boys team when there weren't enough girls interested in an all-girls team.

Lake Mead coach Bill Wadley said he has had few problems working with both boys and girls. He coaches both his daughter (Hannah Wadley) and son (Andrew Wadley) on the team.

"I look at it as where ever they rank is where ever they play," Bill Wadley said. "We play them based on merit. If they are among the top 11 players on the team, then they're going to start."

After some initial fear about their ability to keep up with the boys, the girls have blended in.

Dean and Liston, who both have 10 years of recreation and club soccer experience, have earned consistent playing time.

"The girls are some of the best players on the team," junior midfielder Zach Mullins said. "For most of the younger guys on the team, it makes them play harder. They don't want to shown up by a girl."

The girls have proven themselves so they don't stand out as girls, but just players on the team.

"We split up and try to mix with the boys better, so we can get a better feel for the team," Liston said. "Emily is my best friend so having her makes it easier, but I would do it even if I was the only one I would still do it."

Lake Mead opened Sept. 2 against defending 3A state champions Faith Lutheran, a school with a boys and girls team.

Liston felt more comfortable as the game wore on. Nevertheless, the Eagles were overmatched and lost 13-0.

"It wasn't the greatest experience but it was definitely a learning experience," Liston said. "You have to learn from a game like that. We know how much have to build on."

Lake Mead, a 1A school, debuted its boys soccer program last year in the 3A class, which features schools much larger than Lake Mead's 200-member student body. Boys soccer isn't offered on the 1A level.

Last season, the Eagles were led by Dean's brother, Jared Dean, and a batch of other seniors who were lost to graduation.

This year, Lake Mead has no seniors and only three juniors to help lead the team.

"We're going to have a bit of a challenge this year, but by the time these sophomores and freshmen get a few years of experience I think we're going to have some very strong teams," Bill Wadly said. "This is kind of a foundation building year."

Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected].