T-birds regain intensity

SHORELINE — The competitive fire of the Shorewood girls soccer team has been restored to full strength.

Inconsistent play last season impelled the Thunderbirds to make over their mindset. As a result, Shorewood is turning up the tenacity.

“We have a lot of the same girls but I think our attitude is going to be a lot different,” senior defender Katie Barnes said. “There’s a lot more intensity.”

Shorewood coach Joe Hampson could detect a change in disposition well before the Thunderbirds stepped on the field for their first game.

“Our practice sessions are more intense this year as a team,” Hampson said. “We had great individual effort last year. This year it’s more on a team level.”

Despite a late surge, the Thunderbirds missed out on a third consecutive state tournament appearance last season. Shorewood settled for the Western Conference South Division’s final district berth.

The team’s uncharacteristically rocky start served as a wake-up call.

“There’s quite a tradition here with what we’ve got going,” Hampson said. “Last year was an eye opener for some of the girls who’ve been in the program for four years, to go halfway through the season with basically a losing record. Though we don’t focus on records … it wore on some of the girls.”

Through 10 games, the Thunderbirds scored as many goals as they allowed (12) and had a 4-5-1 record to show for it. Shorewood outscored its final eight opponents 15-4 and reeled off seven straight wins to finish 11-6-1.

Hampson attributed the turnaround to an improved work ethic and is confident the Thunderbirds can build off what they accomplished the second half of last season.

“These girls want to show they can take that momentum and run with it,” Hampson said. “The majority of them are returners and were there and experienced it. They were the ones who went through the slump at the start of the season and know what it’s like to try and find yourself.

“Hopefully they’ll remember that and do some of the things we didn’t do last year that put us in that slump.”

The Shorewood roster features 14 returners, but senior midfielder Kali Chamberlin suggested this year’s lineup has a style all its own.

“We have a lot of passion,” Chamberlin said. “This team is really competitive and tries really hard.”

Chamberlin sat out all of last season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Her return bolsters an already solid center midfield.

Hampson initially had his doubts, but has been astonished at Chamberlin’s ability to bounce back from such a setback.

“You get players with knee injuries and you wonder if they can ever get back to it,” Hampson said. “Kali has shown with her dedication to herself and the team that she’s worked hard to get back. She’s in fine form. She has ways to go yet and she knows that. She’s training hard.”

Though she couldn’t suit up, Chamberlin didn’t miss a game last season. Watching from the bench was a struggle.

“It’s awesome to be back and actually play in full games. It’s taken me awhile, but I’m finally back into it,” Chamberlin said. “I still need to work on some things, like my speed and quickness. Just by playing full games I’m getting my endurance back.”

Shorewood also brings back second-team, all-league selection Gabrielle Davis and Lily Albin in the midfield. Lauren Sego is shifting to midfielder from forward.

Sego led the Thunderbirds in scoring last season, finishing a goal or two ahead of several teammates. Chamberlin expects the Thunderbirds will maintain their balanced attack.

“Different people step up each game,” she said. “It just depends who’s on shooting-wise. We can all have good shooting days.”

Sophomore transfer Tess Bartlett joins Emily Sands up front. Bartlett netted both Shorewood goals in a season-opening loss to Sehome.

Barnes, Serwaah Fordjour and first-team, all-league senior Emily Handley lead an experienced defense. Sophomore Cara Edmund replaces a pair of seniors at goalkeeper.

“We’re all very strong mentally and physically,” Barnes said. “We go hard for every ball.”

Two wins separated the Wesco South’s top five teams last year and Hampson anticipates more of a challenge from the bottom half of the division this season.

“There was a time when it wasn’t this way,” Hampson said of the wide-open league race. “It’s nice to know when you show up for a game, you’re always going to get a good, competitive match.”