Mahlyk Davis

Sports Editor

The south girl’s soccer team has been helped to its outstanding record by a pair of school record breakers.

Nina Stine, a University of Missouri-Kansas City commit, broke the previous record for goals in a season (17), held by Sharaya Sidebottom, and looks to build to that total as the season wraps up. Stine now has 26 goals. As her third year has been the most successful for Stine so far, she attributes her success to her teammates.

“Our defense has been so outstanding all year,” Stine said. “We are always able to advance the ball and I get a lot of good looks at the goal. Sure, I’ve made a few tough shots, but I wouldn’t have been able to get those shots without my teammates.”

Coach Todd Findley believes having a consistent scorer will help the Jaguars going forward.

“Knowing that Nina will likely score a goal each game gives her teammates confidence, and when other teams pay extra attention to her it creates opportunities for the other forwards. There are a few girls on the team who have close to ten goals, and without those contributions our record wouldn’t be where it’s at,” Findley said.

Megan Swanson, a University of Arkansas-Little Rock commit, broke the previous record for career shutouts (23), held by Ruby Draves. So far this season, Swanson has 11 shutouts; raising her career total to 34. Swanson, however, doesn’t believe the credit belongs to herself.

“I want to give all the credit to my back line. Since I have been at South they have always been solid; this year they are the exact same as last year, which helps with continuity,” Swanson said.

Findley believes Swanson’s success has not been a fluke.

“As a freshman we knew Megan was special,” Findley said. “She has always worked hard and had a will to win. Its crazy to think that she is already a junior but exciting at the same time as going forward the record will continue to go up.”

Although both of these athletes have played soccer for many years, neither of them have lost a bit of passion for the sport.

“Having the opportunity to play in college has made me hungrier than ever. I know that I need to continue to improve in order to compete at the division one level,” said Stine.

Swanson has played goalie since she was nine and has a unique story as to how she started playing the position.

“I played recreational soccer when I was eight but I didn’t like running at all so I tried goalie and ended up getting pretty good at it,” said Swanson. “I didn’t realize it at first, but my change in position turned out to be a big change in my life! I love being in goal and helping my team any way I can.”