As the Klahowya girls soccer team closes in on the Class 2A regular-season league title in the combined 3A/2A Olympic League, Jordan Dixon continues to ignite the offense.
The junior, who didn’t turn out for soccer as a freshman, leads the team in goals with 11 from her outside midfield position. Each time the ball goes in the net, Dixon is in the mix.
“Scoring wise, she just has a knack of being at the right place at the right time,” said KSS coach Troy Oelschlager. “She’s got a great finish, she’s got a really nice shot on her.”
Dixon’s presence and ability to score give the Lady Eagles a chance to secure a positive result each time they step on the field. Against North Mason Sept. 15, with the score tied 1-1, Dixon tallied two goals inside the final five minutes to propel KSS to a 3-1 victory. She finished the game with a hat trick.
“Having someone on the field who is capable of doing that can turn what seems like a tie into a win for us,” Oelschlager said.
For Dixon, who also plays basketball, the 2009 season has been a coming out party. Prior to the season, she decided to give up her select soccer team, a decision she said has inspired her to become the best player she can be for her school.
“My nerves have calmed,” Dixon said. “I’m more confident, I’m more motivated.”
With another year of eligibility, Dixon could emerge as a premier player next season.
Oelschlager said she needs to stay focused on her defensive efforts because she occasionally will “lapse a little bit and not get back on her man, goal-side.”
“We’ve got to remind her that outside midfield is a defensive position as well as an offensive position,” he said.
KSS (9-1-2 overall, 7-1-2 league) defeated Sequim 5-0 Tuesday — Dixon scored twice — and the team closes the regular season with games against Port Townsend (tomorrow) and Kingston Oct. 27.
“We definitely want to win state this year,” Dixon said. “We’ve been talking about it since summer practice. And we want to do it for (coach Oelschlager) because he really wants it. We just need to keep doing what we’re doing because we’re doing really well right now.”
