By ROY HESS | Staff Writer
Offense may win games, but playing solid defense is what wins championships on the soccer field and elsewhere in the sports world.
Los Fresnos senior defender Allison Spier lives her life as a soccer player with that mindset while playing the game. It’s an approach that works quite well for her, and for her team, which has captured District 32-6A championships during each of the past three seasons.
Spier has been a strong presence on the field for the Lady Falcons during each of her four seasons on the varsity. After soon graduating from Los Fresnos, she’ll be headed to Adelphi University in New York to play for the NCAA Division II Panthers and study nursing.
Before that all transpires, Spier can sit back and enjoy her selection as The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro Defensive Player of the Year for girls soccer. It’s the same All-Metro award she won as a junior.
The standout defender and skilled ball-handler will certainly be missed when next season comes around.
“Allison has contributed to the success of the Los Fresnos soccer program,” said new Lady Falcons coach Diego Luna, who has replaced Patricia K. Hernandez as coach after serving as her assistant. “Her leadership, integrity, knowledge of the game and respect for people that surround her has made her a role model for other players.
“The team will miss her presence on and off the field,” Luna added. “But I truly believe that Allison has left an imprint on this program, and her attributes have been passed along to our seniors and juniors (of next school year).”
Spier says she will treasure her memories of playing for the Lady Falcons.
“Honestly, with the girls and the coaches here, it’s been a complete blessing,” Spier said of her past four seasons of soccer at the high school level. “Everything has been great. It’s helped me come as far as I have as I get ready for college.
“I’m excited about the opportunities I have ahead of me,” she added. “I have the girls here, the team and these coaches to thank for that. We’re a team, and we’re always correcting each other. Ultimately, I think that has helped me get better, become a confident player and be a leader on the field. These girls helped me come out of my shell and find that passion to be a leader and influencer on the field.”
Spier was chosen one of three overall MVPs this season on the All-District 32-6A team.
“It’s really nice to receive these (All-Metro and all-district) awards,” she said. “It’s a blessing. I believe it shows my hard work has paid off. I’m just thankful for everybody who has helped me along the way.”