The Outlook

For the Lady Climbers, the plan worked pretty well. It worked to the tune of a program best 10-7-3 record and a first-ever sectional title in Division II last season.

They fell in the districts to Hamilton Badin 2-0 in a game that almost fell into Jackson’s strategic plan once again. Urbana’s “All-Everything” Lilia Stephenson appeared to have scored on a long penalty kick in the first half. Originally, all three referees counted the goal. However, after a long deliberation, they disallowed it, keeping the score at 0-0. Had that goal been counted, Jackson’s troops would have gone back into their successful prevent defense, and just may have held on to the 1-0 lead. Instead, Badin scored two goals, and season over.

This season, the Lady Climbers return four seniors and eight starters. Among them are first-team All League and 4-year starting Goalkeeper Adaleine Jackson, and 3-year starting defender Casey Cole. Also returning are Kristy Finney, Allie Mackey, and junior Rachel Routzong for the offense.

Coach Jackson, who is in his 6th year at the helm, is very excited and optimistic for this upcoming season. “We are more athletic and have more speed,” Jackson said, “but we’re young so we’ll have to learn how to play together. We would like to see if we can build off of last year.”

Like this preview? Then look for more previews like this in The Outlook’s 2010 Fall Sports Preview in next Wednesday’s edition! Get every schedule from every team in Champaign County, pictures, previews, and comments from the players and coaches in the action! It’s all in next’s weeks edition, the Wednesday, August 25 edition, of The Outlook!