Lady Aces’ Stanfield to continue soccer career at Marian

March 1, 2019 | 5:02 pm

Updated March 1, 2019 | 5:03 pm

Owensboro Catholic’s Isabelle Stanfield announced her decision to continue her soccer career at Marian University during a ceremony at the high school on Friday. | Photo by Ryan Richardson

Owensboro Catholic’s Isabelle Stanfield announced her decision to continue her soccer career at Marian University during a ceremony at the high school on Friday.

Stanfield spent three years with the Lady Aces, and she has played for the Indiana Fire Juniors South club team for two seasons.

Stanfield said being able to continue her career means a great deal, as she’s worked toward achieving that goal since she began playing.

“It’s really a testament to all the work that I’ve put in and the work the coaches have put in to get me to where I am and to give me the opportunity to get to the next level,” she said. “It’s always been a goal. I’ve always wanted to play since I was pretty young.”

As a versatile player, Stanfield received several awards including All-Region honors all three years at Catholic. During her senior season, she was named honorable mention as a defender to the 2018 Coaches All-State West Kentucky Girls Soccer Team.

Catholic head coach Kelli Brannock said making the All-State team as a defender is a major accomplishment, as the team is usually full of offensive players.

“To me that summarizes exactly what Izzy is,” Brannock said. “She just wants to do well. She wants her teammates to do well. I’m glad she got recognized for that, because truly it’s very hard to get someone on the team defensively.”

Stanfield is joining the Knights, an NAIA school in Indianapolis, as a defensive player, but she said she could be used all over the field. Stanfield said after joining a strong Lady Aces program as a sophomore and adding time with her current club team, she’s developed into a solid all-around player.

“It was really nerve-racking for me to come in not knowing if I would get to play,” Stanfield said of a Catholic team fresh off a state semifinal appearance. “Over the years it’s helped me develop playing for a better quality team than I had been at. I’ve played for multiple club teams, but at Fire I feel like I’m where I need to be playing against the competition that will help me stay in shape and get ready for college.”

Brannock, who took over as coach in 2016, said Stanfield’s determination and dedication helped the Lady Aces find success over the last three seasons.

“If there was a ball somebody needed to get, she went and got it,” Brannock said. “Just having that intensity both in practice and in games brought the level of our team up a notch or two just purely through that.”

Brannock said while Stanfield has plenty of skills to showcase, it’s her intangibles that will help keep her going at the next level.

“You have to have the passion and desire,” Brannock said. “I think she does. You can see it in her eyes and how she plays. I think it’s going to help her be a better student, and it’s going help her do even greater things in life. She’ll be able to handle it and she’ll make make an impact at that level.”

March 1, 2019 | 5:02 pm

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