Faith Lutheran defender lives up to hype

Richard Brian

Faith Lutheran defender Jessica Nelson poses for a photo at a recent practice.

Friday, Oct. 31, 2008 | midnight

Faith Lutheran defender Jessica Nelson shows off her juggling skills during team practice at the Summerlin Community Park on Oct. 21

Through its first 12 games, Faith Lutheran's girls soccer team has given up 0.083 goals per contest.

More simply, only one team, Pahrump Valley, has scored on the Crusaders all season.

Faith Lutheran coach Dave Elliott considers the feat a team effort. But Elliott also knows it doesn't hurt having the reigning 3A Defensive Player of the Year anchoring the defense at sweeper.

That would be junior Jessica Nelson.

"She is the backbone of the defense," Elliott said. "She is a captain and not just because she was voted as one. She tells the other players what to do as far as what position to be in. She is the complete package on defense."

A starter for all three years she's been on varsity, Nelson said Faith Lutheran is playing the best soccer it has since she's been on the team.

Behind Nelson, goalkeeper Marissa Feherman has come up big whenever she's been tested, while junior Carson McBeath and freshman Taylor Pory have been solid at fullback.

Stopper Seanie Petersen returns as the only senior on the roster after being an all-state second-team selection last season.

Having only one goal scored on also helps with Faith Lutheran's primary goal — winning the 3A state title in the middle of November.

"That would really be cool to not allow another one, but you can't just let yourself down if someone does," Nelson said. "We have to keep going out there and playing. Right now we're just doing our thing."

To compliment its defense, Faith Lutheran hasn't been short on scoring. The team hasn't scored less than three goals in a game all season and has netted 71 through its initial 12.

After such a dominant regular season, the Crusaders believe anything short of a state championship would be a disappointment.

Petersen said they have an extra sense of urgency after the Crusaders went 13-2-2 last season but lost 2-1 in the state semifinals to North Tahoe High.

"We all want a championship," Petersen said. "Some of the new players don't really understand how important it is to us so the returning players are keeping them motivated and on their toes at all times."

Christopher Drexel can be reached at 990-8929 or christopher.drexel@hbcpub.com.