Soccer Junies secure women’s IM dynasty

Because an article in Wednesday’s Barometer deemed the Soccer Junies an intramural dynasty, Erin Uchacz and Jenna Richardson felt so much pressure they decided to arrive at Thursday night’s championship game earlier than usual.

“We left our house 10 minutes early instead of five because we were nervous,” Richardson said. “We wanted to actually warm up for once.”

The move paid dividends, as the Soccer Junies routed Kappa Kappa Gamma 38-25 to claim their second intramural title in three seasons.

Junior Jacy Drobney, the OSU women’s soccer team captain and the Soccer Junies’ deadliest shooter, hit a 3-pointer on the game’s first possession to give the Junies a lead they never surrendered.

“Jacy’s three set the tone,” Uchacz said.

Days before the game, Richardson said OSU women’s basketball coach Scott Rueck might want to come to the championship game to scout Drobney and Uchacz.

Rueck didn’t, but Drobney and Uchacz played like they had something to prove anyway.

Drobney, a four-year varsity player in high school who once recorded a triple-double in a state playoff game, was a stat sheet stuffer Thursday, finishing with 11 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Uchacz, who at 5-foot-10 was a matchup nightmare for the rest of the women’s ‘A’ league, finished with nine points, eight rebounds, three assists and five steals.

Brandi Dawson scored nine points, Marissa Kovac scored seven and Richardson chipped in two when she scored the Soccer Junies’ final basket of the season on her eighth attempt of the game.

OSU men’s basketball player Angus Brandt, who serves as the Soccer Junies’ coach because his girlfriend Megan Miller is on the team, said the Junies came out ready to play.

“They played hard for the whole 30 minutes, played relentless ‘D,’ basically out-ran the other team, never gave up,” Brandt said. “They played like champions.”

The Soccer Junies left an impression on the Kappas, who were paced by junior Ayesha Khader’s 11 points.

“You can tell that they’ve played together in a competitive setting,” said Dallas Defrees, who scored six points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. “We only get together in IMs. But it was fun to play a team like that.”

The Soccer Junies said the support they received is what put them over the top. Several of their soccer teammates attended the game, as did their head coach, Linus Rhode.

“Every time I wasn’t playing hard defense I’d see Linus glaring at me and I’d be like, ‘Let’s go,’” Richardson said. “He was my inspiration, my fear.”

How did Rhode assess the Soccer Junies’ performance?
“Absolutely amazing,” he said.

Was he surprised?
“Not at all. They can shoot, pass, rebound.”

As with any dynasty, the Soccer Junies are already thinking repeat.

“We’re coming back next year,” Uchacz said. “Teams better start practicing now.”

 

Grady Garrett, sports reporter

On Twitter @gradygarrett

sports@dailybarometer.com