PORT ANGELES — As the overall talent and skill in the Port Angeles girls soccer lineup increases with each passing season, Roughriders’ senior Becca Manson has been a model of consistency and adaptability in filling a number of roles for the team.
“Becca was playing in the midfield her ninth and tenth grade seasons,” coach Daniel Horton said. “Last year, because of injuries and a formation change, we asked her to step into the defensive line and play center back. She did that and she did an amazing job. But we really needed her steady presence and ability to maintain possession in the midfield this year, so she made the switch again.”
Manson contributed a goal and an assist as a freshman and three more scores and an assist as a sophomore. This season, in her return to the midfield, Manson has five goals and four assists through Tuesday’s 1-0 win over North Kitsap.
“Lucky for us, Becca is the ultimate teammate,” Horton said. “She will do anything and play anywhere to help the team and she isn’t driven by personal stats. She works hard for the team’s success and we would not be the same program without her steady style of play in the midfield.”
Manson’s last goal came off of a Pyper Alton corner kick in Port Angeles’ 9-0 district opening win over Washington. The score showcased Manson’s improved ability to score off of corner kicks.
“This year she has stepped up her ability finish on corners and that has given us a big advantage in games,” Horton said. “Her ability to find the ball in the air and Pyper’s ability to deliver great corners and crosses has been a great combo.
“As a leader, Becca is vocal and leads by example. The younger players flock to her because she is patient and they can see she truly cares about them and their future success.
The upperclassmen also respect her because once practice or games start, she is no nonsense. She is locked into competition mode, and you know she is going to give 100-percent from start to finish.
Port Angeles (15-3) faced Bainbridge late Thursday in a district soccer semifinal. If the Roughriders upset the Spartans they will play for the district title Saturday. If the Riders lost to Bainbridge, Port Angeles will face the winner between Kingston and Orting in a loser-out, winner-to-state match on Saturday.
Spartans All-Leaguers
FORKS — Eight Forks Spartans were named to the Central 2B Football League West Division All-League Team in voting conducted by league coaches.
Junior offensive lineman Logan Ramsey was a second-team selection. Ramsey was the lone Forks lineman to start every game for the Spartans, which were hard hit by injuries this season.
Junior Cash Barajas was a second-team selection at wide receiver and received honorable mention honors at defensive back.
Junior Estevan Ramos earned second-team honors at wide receiver and kick returner.
Forks basketball standout junior Titus Rowley made the second team along the defensive line and was an honorable mention recipient in his return to the gridiron.
Junior linebacker Kade Highfield made the second team, returning to the field less than a calendar year after tearing the ACL in his knee in Forks’ final game last fall.
Sophomore punter Adon Arellano was a second-team pick and placekicker Mario Reyes was the second-team selection at kicker.
Forks (1-7) visits Toledo (8-0) in a District 4 Crossover tonight at 6 p.m. at Longview Memorial Stadium.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at sports@peninsuladaily news.com.
