STUARTS DRAFT - To say its been a pretty solid start to the 2017 season for Stuarts Draft girls soccer is an understatement.

Following a 4-0 shutout of previously unbeaten Wilson Memorial on Tuesday night, the Cougars are now 7-0 on the year.

While the seven wins is impressive, what makes it even more noteworthy is that Draft has outscored its opponents 44-0 in those victories.

Both our offense and defense have been very versatile this season, Cougars head coach Bridget Lane said. We spend time in practice having players practice in both offensive and defensive positions so that can get a feel for someone elses position. This really helps the girls to understand where they need to be on the field to help their teammates.

When it comes to getting a feel for other players, there is no doubt that the Draft players have a great feel for each other.

In the win against the Hornets, three different players scored - Rachel Sauder twice, along with Abby Barlow and Hannah Chatterton.

They are just three of a large number of Cougars to reach the back of the net throughout this season.

We have a great range of talented players, Lane said. The great part about it is that they get to all experience playing with one another on the varsity level. Many of them have played together on travel teams in the offseason. Its a great feeling as a coach to have such dedicated players who are willing to play wherever they are needed.

Lane says the camaraderie amongst the team isnt exclusive to the locker room.

The biggest key to our success has been our team chemistry, the head coach said. We play so well together and everyone connects really well - not only on the field but off the field as well. We have a great group of leaders.

While the season is still young, this Cougars team appears to be primed for a deep run when the postseason comes around.

For Lane, she says she sees that potential and while the roster has a wide variety of experience throughout, she knows where the heart of her team rests.

This group of 19 have become a family to one another and I know they have the potential to go far as a team, she said. The backbone is the group of six seniors who you can tell every game want it so bad. They put their heart into every minute of the game. It pushes the rest of the team to leave it all on the field. Im very excited to see where this season takes us.

Draft (7-0) is back in action Tuesday for a road contest at Shenandoah District foe Luray while Wilson (5-1) will take on Riverheads (5-0) at home on Thursday.

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Draft girls using chemistry to cruise past opponents | High School ... - The Daily Progress