Mallory Moore is poised to move from high school to college, but she has played soccer since before she entered elementary school.
“I’ve played the game of soccer since I was able to walk,” she said.
Moore spent most of this fall running, however, for the 11-3-1 Seymour girls team, covering wide swaths of territory as a center back stalwart on defense for the Owls.
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Her performance earned her a wide selection of honors, including being named The Tribune’s All-County Girls Soccer Player of the Year. Moore’s primary job was to cut off threats on goal before they materialized and she contributed to the Owls’ nine shutouts.
Chosen as first-team all-district, first-team Hoosier Hills Conference and academic all-state, Moore’s only disappointment her senior year was that the season ended too soon, in the opening round of sectional play with a 2-1 loss to Floyd Central.
“That one hurt,” Moore said. “We were going to go out and win it all.”
Seymour coach Greg Musser raved about what Moore brought to the team and the school’s program.
“Mallory is the poster child for what I want my program to be,” he said, noting Moore “has given our defense an identity. Over the last four years, Mallory has helped secure 37 shutouts in 72 games.”
Trinity Lutheran was 8-8 overall this season, but the record was deceptive with the biggest scoreboard news being the Cougars advancement to their Class A regional final under coach Thom Hayes.
Trinity received some strong showings from goalie Genesis Munoz, who set a school career record for saves, and Kailene Cockerham, who has become a goal-scoring machine.
Cockerham, currently a member of the girls basketball team, already owns the school record for goals (she established a new mark of 41 by sectional) with another year to play.
Munoz, who plans to study to become a doctor, is also on the basketball team this winter.
Other Seymour members of the all-county team are Alyssa Perry, who was second-team all-district, first team all-conference and academic all-state while scoring 11 goals; Lillie Wessel, first team all-HHC and academic all-state while also scoring 11 goals; Brooke Trinkle, first-team all-conference; and Addison Chandler, first-team all-conference and academic all-state.
Also, Kylee Nowling, academic all-state and second-team all-league; Sydney Musgrave, academic all-state and second-team Hoosier Hills Conference; Kirby Hill, academic all-state and second-team all-conference; and Jimena Leal, second-team all-conference.
Mid-fielder Emma Myers and defensive star Flossie Cooper were Trinity’s other all-county players.
Moore was pleased she received so much recognition for preventing goals rather than scoring goals.
“You never know what people value,” she said.
Musser said Moore was able to shut down some high-scoring individual foes, and that helped lead the Owls to their first Hoosier Hills team crown in 23 years.
“This year, her senior year, she was a rock for us,” Musser said. “Mallory is one of those rare players as a coach you can only hope to get a chance to coach at one point in your entire career. In 14 years of coaching, I have come across great players, great students, great leaders, great teammates and great people, but to find those all in one player is rare. Mallory is that player for me.”
Moore, 17, probably began kicking a soccer ball around when she was 3, she said, likely influenced by an older brother who played the sport. She also fully intends to keep playing soccer in college, though just where is not certain yet.
“I have some options,” Moore said. “Franklin is one. There are things in the works. We’ll see.”
Musser said Seymour will miss Moore’s presence on the field next season.
“She has bled purple and white and has instilled great values in her teammates,” he said. “Without question, Mallory has changed this program for the better. I am truly honored to have been able to coach Mallory.”