By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
TURNER, Ore.– Incoming Cascade senior Alayna Salvo takes pride in playing Defensive Middle Back and being one of the voices in the middle of the field for the Cougars.
With a solid core of returners coming back like her, Parker Randall, Halle Hammer, Emily Huber, Kate Withers, Olivia Hunsaker, Addi Eaton and Bri Carroll, Salvo is excited to see what progress that they can have coming off of their 6-8 overall record, 4-6 in Oregon West Conference play, season last Fall as the Renee Cantrell-era begins with the Cougars.
“It’s one of my biggest passions, I’ve been playing defensive mid since I was very little, so it’s my pride and joy. I love talking to the girls and making sure my girls are good,” starts Salvo about playing Defensive Middle Back. “This year, we’re coming off really strong and that we’re going to have a good comeback, and it’s going to be a better program here on out.”
Confidence has been a big thing for Randall going into her sophomore. As a freshman last Fall, she helped anchor a defense that featured four shutout victories last Fall. Over the course of the Summer, Randall put in work with the Oregon Premier soccer club to help her trajectory to move forward going into her sophomore season.
“A lot of the position is confidence, and being able to trust yourself and people around you…trust myself being an underclassmen at a very important position on the field. But just being able to let myself play the game. That’s the most important part,” said Parker. “We got to work together so we can build that chemistry, and I can start from being a positive leader from the back to help us work as a team.”
Cascade will open the season September 4 at Junction City.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
