Lauren Morelock is easy to spot on the soccer field. Just watch for the speedy girl in the bright blue Nikes pumping missile-like shots into the goal.
The 5-foot-2 Abingdon junior added to her lengthy resume Monday with three goals as the Falcons cruised to an 8-0 win over Marion in the opening round of the Southwest District girls tournament.
Morelock set an AHS single-season record with 44 goals as a freshman. She added 34 goals last year and has scored nearly 30 more times this season.
“When I started playing at the high school level, I barely expected to make the varsity team,” Morelock said. “I had no clue that I would score this many goals.”
Morelock began her soccer adventure at age five. When her family moved to Abingdon in 2001, Morelock added polish to her game by competing with the Abingdon-based Highlands Soccer Club. In 2008, Morelock accepted even more refinement to her balanced skills by training with the Olympic Development Program in Roanoke.
According to Morelock, there is no secret to her success.
“I’ve just had years of practicing certain parts of the game,” Morelock said. “And knowing how my teammates like to play helps a lot.”
Morelock made her first forceful statement Monday at the 30:18 mark of the first half. After handling a crisp crosscourt pass from Emily McMurray, Morelock deftly flicked the ball into the net.
Abingdon built a 6-0 halftime lead in the match which was stopped with 19:37 left to play. Kara Garrett scored three goals for AHS, while McMurray and sophomore Lydia Billips also scored. McMurray supplied two assists, while freshman Riley Sullivan added two saves.
AHS, which has just two seniors, travels to Richlands today. The SWD title game is set for Thursday at regular season champion Graham.
First-year AHS coach Anna Baker has been pleased with the progress of her team, which lost star player Haven Leland to a knee injury in November.
“I saw this team play for the last two years, so I knew that I was going to get a talented group. But this year’s team is very different from last year due to graduation and other factors,” said Baker, who doubles as the Emory & Henry girls soccer coach.
Baker said that Morelock has all the essentials for success at forward.
“Lauren can receive the ball out of the air, bring it down under control and then turn and go. She scores a lot of goals because she gives herself lots of time and space in order to take on the keeper, plus she has great separation speed,” Baker said.
Sophomore Alissa Gembach has had a frontrow seat for the Morelock show, both at the club and high school level.
“I’ve had so much fun playing with Lauren,” Gembach said. “She’s knows where to be on the field and when to be there. With her size, she kinds of squeeze into the right places. And she’s very accurate.”
Morelock repeatedly sped past and snuck behind the Marion defenders Monday.
“I can slip behind people, but my size doesn’t really help on balls that are in the air,” Morelock said.
As for her torrid goal-scoring pace, Morelock is just focusing on the basics.
“I have no clue what the state records are,” Morelock said. “I’m just having a good time and trying to help my team.”
agregory@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544.
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