Clay HS Trio Signs With Express Women's Soccer Program

Megan Soncrant (black dress), Kendyl Christian (colorful scarf) and Abby Groll (white top) became the first members of the 2013-14 Express women's soccer freshmen class today. All are Clay High School products. Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Megan Soncrant (black dress), Kendyl Christian (colorful scarf) and Abby Groll (white top) became the first members of the 2013-14 Express women's soccer freshmen class today. All are Clay High School products. Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Posted: Dec 13, 2012

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Oregon, OH---Kendyl Christian, Abby Groll and Megan Soncrant signed to play for the Express women's soccer team next season during a ceremony at the Clay High School library today.

All three players helped lead the Clay Eagles to a Three Rivers Athletic Conference (TRAC) championship this past season.

"I'm very excited for all three of these girls to join our program," said Express women's soccer head coach Mary Whisler. "I think they're going to be wonderful."

Christian is a four-year varsity letter winner who played 67 varsity games at Clay. She had 23 career goals and 20 career assists. As a senior, she was First Team All-TRAC and Second Team All-District. As a junior, she was Second Team All-TRAC, and she was Second Team NWOHSSL D-I and Second Team All-District as a sophomore. She was a three-year team captain.

"Kendyl, individually, is very, very technical, greatly skilled, possesses the ball well, and can play the ball exactly where she wants it. She'll definitely be a great addition at either the center midfield or up top."

Groll played 62 career varsity games and also was a three-year varsity letter winner. She had 11 career goals and 11 career assists. As a senior, she was Second Team All-TRAC, and she was Honorable Mention All-TRAC as a junior.

"She's a very quick player," Whisler said of Groll. "I'll probably play her on the outside mid. She's quick, she's feisty, and she'll fight for the ball - which is exactly the kind of style of play I like. She'll be a great addition."

Soncrant, who plays the field and in goal, could see action at both spots for the Express. She played 45 varsity games and was a two-year varsity letter winner. As a senior, she was an Honorable Mention All-TRAC selection.

Whisler speaks highly of Soncrant.

"I saw her play at an all star game against some of the top players in the nation, against Perrysburg HS, and she came up with some big saves," Whisler said. "I know she didn't play the majority of her time in goal in high school, but she has experience at that position. She can also be trained as a center midfielder. She's very versatile and I think she'll be a great addition wherever she'll end up playing."

Additionally, Clay High School head girls soccer coach Scott Wamer spoke highly of Soncrant, who has been one of the hardest workers in his program.

"I think Megan is the epitome of what hard work (can get you)," he said. "She's here today doing what she's doing because of her work and the effort she put in to her sport and to herself."

The Express women's soccer team finished 13-2-3 last season and captured the Region XII regular season championship. Defensively, they gave up only 11 goals all season.