Photo by Niko McWilliams
Every student-athlete on the Sapulpa girls soccer team enjoys playing for coach Lori Arundell. The team chemistry and the direction of the program are reaching new heights.
“We have several returning starters this year, so I am hoping for another great year in Class 5A. Being our second year, I hope we have the same success we had from last year,” said coach Arundell.
One of the co-captains this season is returning senior Paola Chavez. Coach Arundell calls Chavez the “glue” of this team and someone who can lead on and off the field.
“Paola is the glue to our team culture in the locker room and most definitely on the field. She plays primarily in the back as our captain that gets things organized and making sure everyone is where they need to be. I also change her to move up and be a mid and forward when I need that extra spark and she definitely gives us what we need. She had several goals last year and even a couple game winners for us,” said coach Arundell.
One of the more technical players on the roster is Asia Dunn (Jr.). Dunn is versatile enough to be used anywhere on the field.
“I use Asia more as an attacking midfielder the past couple years since she has become more of a scoring threat for us. She can read the plays and expose the channels so well and has the speed and agility to accomplish so much on the field,” said coach Arundell.
Sophomore Peyton Bolden is coming into her own. She played several minutes as a freshman and as the season progressed her contributions become more noticeable.
“This year I look for her to be more of a contributing force and more of an integral part of our team,” said coach Arundell.
Also look for Maribel Chavez, a three-year starter now entering her junior season. Coach Arundell describes Chavez as a strong, dependable, and hard-working player.
“Maribel doesn’t get as much credit on the field as she deserves. She is a stopper for us and is smaller in stature and takes on anyone of any size and does not back down. We would not be as successful if she were not such an integral part of our team,” said coach Arundell.
Other players include Adina Hill (Jr.), Linsey Dennison (Jr.), Elle Hurst (So.), Kynadee Shelley (Sr.), Kailey Asher (Fr.), Isabella Leep (Jr.), Jadyn Phillips (Fr.), Patience Waits (Fr.), Alex Terrones (Sr.), Cariees Orn (Fr.), Ally Fielden (Sr.), Ella Chaffin (Sr.), Jadyn Applegate (Jr.), Lillie Wilson (Fr.), Brooklyn Addison (So.), Allison Schmidt (Sr.), Mattisyn Berry (So.), and Khali English (Sr.). Coach Arundell is entering her 27th season. Tiffany Admire is the assistant coach and Laila Mortazavi is the team manager.
