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Working hard on and off the field
Stamp
Leonardtown grad Kelly among CSM women’s soccer honorees
By TAMMY SHOWALTER
Staff writer
The College of Southern Maryland women’s soccer team, coached by Adam Sanchez, had three players of its players recently recognized for their successes on and off of the field.
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America selected sophomores Staci Stamp of Rose Haven and Chanel Allen of Indian Head to the NSCAA 2012 Junior College Women Scholar All-American Team.
Allen, along with freshman Erin Kelly of Leonardtown, was also selected to the NSCAA 2012 Junior College Women’s Division I All-North Region Team. Allen and Kelly were nominated by coaches from the region, including coaches from New York and New Jersey.
Sanchez said that all three were well-deserving of the honors.
“These three work hard on and off of the field and really it’s the whole team because if the team doesn’t perform, then the individual accolades don’t come.” Sanchez said.
Sanchez said the Hawks played at a higher level this season, setting a best school record of 11-4-1.
“We had such a great season,” Sanchez said, “Erin was fantastic all year and Chanel, especially there on the back line. Erin came in with an injury from high school, but we knew she was quality. The coaching staff were great role models and they’re looking forward to next year. We have a core returning.”
Allen, a McDonough High School graduate, started in all 14 games and carries a 3.9 GPA while majoring in biology. Kelly, a Leonardtown High School graduate, started 11 games this year and recorded 15 points on the year with four goals and a team-leading seven assists.
Midfielder Staci Stamp, a Southern High School graduate from Anne Arundel County who is majoring in exercise science, will be transferring her credits and high grade point average to Salisbury University in the fall.
Stamp battled blood clots in her lungs and had to sit out some of the second half of the season, but she remained committed from the sidelines and from her desk in the classroom.
As she exits CSM and women’s soccer team, she said that she thinks the team has just as much of a chance to dominate next season.
“This was the best season and I find it to be a great honor to be recognized this way,” Stamp said. “It was a great experience to play with this team. We had a lot of talent this year.”
Kelly said that she had to really prioritize things as a freshman coming in and managing the schedule.
“Coach [Sanchez] also made sure that academics came first,” Kelly said. “Every week we had study hall. I had to set my priorities. Going to soccer practice was not a chore, it was fun. It was a nice break in the day.”
Kelly said she’s full of pride about receiving the recognition.
“It feels great. I could not have done it without the help of my teammates,” Kelly said.
Kelly is leaning toward transferring to Towson University and majoring in physical therapy but nothing is set in stone for her yet.
The Hawks fell to Essex 1-0 in the Region XX championships at Harford Community College on Oct. 27 after a seven-game winning streak They did capture a second Maryland Junior College Conference crown on Oct. 19 with a 3-1 win over Rockville.
CSM will have a short season this spring. In accordance with junior college standards, the Hawks will have just two play dates.
tshowalter@somdnews.com