Megan Lienhard

By Aaron Coe

Herald Writer

EVERETT — Megan Lienhard admits she’s a little silly.

When her Cascade High School soccer team is tense, she’ll use a crazy voice or a funny face to reel the Bruins back in.

"I’m very goofy," Lienhard said. "I’m probably the weirdest person on the team."

But, when the senior midfielder stepped onto the field during her Cascade soccer career, she was all business.

She simply dominated the game.

That’s why Lienhard has been named The Herald’s All-Area Player of the Year for girls soccer.

"She leads our attack and she shuts down the other team’s attack," Cascade coach Jamie Gay said. "Her stats are great, but she does so many other things for us."

Lienhard led the Bruins in goals and assists while willing her team to a perfect regular season and the Western Conference North Division title. Her 12 goals in 2001 were the second most in Cascade history, and she set a new school standard with 12 assists in 17 games. Though forwards generally score most of the goals, Lienhard became the leader in career goals (31), assists (30) and points (92). The four-year letter winner passed 2000 Herald Player of the Year Natalie Hardin’s lofty Cascade career offensive records.

While the numbers don’t lie, they are not telling the whole truth.

Lienhard was unquestionably the team’s leader. The team captain was voted "Most Inspirational" at the Bruins’ recent end-of-the-year banquet.

She knew when to be serious. She knew when to crack a joke.

"She makes everything kind of light, and she makes soccer fun," Cascade forward Stephanie Baines said.

Baines was a happy recipient of Lienhard’s passes. She scored 10 goals and recorded 10 assists. Lienhard seemed to have her hand in just about every goal. She possesses the speed and foot skills to beat the best two defenders teams often throw at her. Her foot is strong and accurate, and capable of delivering goals from beyond the goal box.

"We wanted the ball to go through her every time," Gay said.

Unfortunately, that couldn’t happen in the state playoffs.

Lienhard suffered a deep knee bruise in the district championship game and was unable to play in the first round of the state playoffs.

She stood helplessly on the sidelines as she watched her team lose 2-1 to South Kitsap. Without her in the middle, the Bruins gave up two of the eight goals they allowed all season. Without Lienhard, an offense that scored 56 goals in 17 regular season game (3.3 per game), found the net only once.

"It was really disappointing," said Lienhard, who carries a 3.7 grade point average. "We go 17-0, then I get hurt and can’t play in my last game as a senior. But, it was a really fun year."

The end was not what she had hoped for — Lienhard believes the Bruins could have won the state title with a few breaks — but being part of a team that outscored its competition 57-8 wasn’t so bad.

Lienhard is as competitive as anyone, but she plays the game because she loves it.

"I have to have fun with things," said Lienhard, who is also a starter on the Cascade basketball team. "The most important part about playing is to have fun."

Lienhard’s mother, Kristie Lienhard, believes much of her daughter’s success stems from ballet lessons taken until she reached high school. Megan enjoyed ballet, but with her soccer and basketball careers blossoming, a choice had to be made that ended eight years of dance.

"She ran from ballet to soccer to basketball — sometimes all in one day — and never once complained," said Kristie Lienhard, who believes the balance and coordination learned during ballet have transferred to the soccer field. "She’d be all soaking wet from soccer and go put on her tights and toe shoes. I think ballet helped her be a better athlete. We’ve had people put their kids in ballet because they saw how well Megan did in other sports."

Though the toe shoes have been put away, the soccer cleats will likely get plenty more use. Gonzaga, Portland State, Western Washington and Central Washington are all interested in Lienhard’s services. She says she has "no idea" where she will play next year and is considering walking on at Washington.

"I know I want to stay home," the 5-foot-7 Lienhard said. "It’s been very stressful."

The college she chooses will land itself a goofy, but very good, soccer player.

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