GIRLS SOCCER: Badin's Fields relaxed, ready to play

Badin senior small in size but a big force on the pitch

By Rick Cassano, Staff Writer 1:01 AM Sunday, August 30, 2009

HAMILTON — Sydnee Fields is looking forward to a season of what she calls “stress-free soccer.”

The Badin High School senior committed to Xavier University during her junior year, so she’s able to push recruiting aside and focus on competing.

“I’m just going to be able to play my game and enjoy it, which is what I love,” Fields said. “I’m very excited.”

She is expected to be one of the area’s top players again this season, having tallied nine goals and five assists last year as the Rams reached the Division II regional finals.

Fields, a diminutive force at 5-foot-2 and 105 pounds, was mostly a striker in 2008. She will be up front at times this year, though Badin coach Keith Harring said she’ll likely be the center midfielder on a regular basis.

“I think she can distribute the ball even better this year,” Harring said. “She’s a dynamic player. She’s like a point guard in basketball. She’s going to get some scores, but I think she’s going to have even more assists.”

Which is fine with Fields.

“I’m expecting that,” she said. “I think it’s just as valuable. I think it’s a good thing for a team. You don’t have to be the main breadwinner, the glorified one. You just have to contribute to the team.”

Fields is known for her speed and foot skills. Laughing, she said she does OK for a player with size 3 feet.

Harring said she continues to work on her physicalness. With her size, that’s an ongoing struggle.

“For some reason, I got dealt the short card,” Fields said. “It’s not a bad thing. Actually, I like being miniature size. It makes me feel like I’m the underdog. It makes me feel like I’ve got to go 10 times harder. I just try not to put myself in a situation where I’m going to get hurt.”

Fields and junior striker Allie Crossley had identical statistics last year and should be an offensive duo to be reckoned with in 2009. Harring said they remind him of an earlier Badin combination, Heather Rains and Sammi Burton.

Fields is sharing captain duties with Sammy Koerner and Michelle Seither this season, and she admits she’s not a loud leader.

“Michelle is the screamer. Sammy is the enforcer. I’m the encourager,” Fields said. “I think we fit together very well.”

Five players to watch

Alex Azeez, Lakota West — The Firebirds’ leading scorer last season, the junior forward has committed to Purdue University.

Kaitlyn Buczek, Lakota East — The senior midfielder has been a Greater Miami Conference first-teamer the last two years.

Devyn Ciotti, Lakota West — The junior defender has committed to the University of Louisville. She was named to the Greater Miami Conference first team in 2008.

Lauren Hettinger, Fairfield — The senior forward is a major Division I college prospect and was a first-team pick in the Greater Miami Conference last year.

Krista Johnson, Ross — The senior stopper/defender was a Fort Ancient Valley Conference Scarlet Division first-team selection last season.