In Emma’s name we play.
Mexico vs Osage Photo Gallery
That is what it said on many blue T-shirts scattered around the Mexico bench and stands as the Lady Bulldogs remembered their late …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous website, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
In Emma’s name we play.
That is what it said on many blue T-shirts scattered around the Mexico bench and stands as the Lady Bulldogs remembered their late teammate Emma Azdell on Tuesday night in their 5-0 loss to School of the Osage. Mexico warmed up in shirts that matched Azdell’s favorite color, giving the sales from those shirts to the family and the Emma Azdell Scholarship Fund.
Head coach Sarah Olson, whose first year as a Mexico assistant coincided with Azdell’s freshman season, said the team has been selling the shirts every year since her death two years ago. Olson said they are happy to give the money to the family and are also happy to play with Azdell’s spirit even in dire scoreboard situations.
“She was just someone who lit everyone up,” Olson said. “She made everyone’s day better. She cheered everyone on. In a game like this, she almost wouldn’t have noticed what (the score) was. You wouldn’t be able to tell by the way she played. Being able to play in that spirit tonight is a big honor for us to be able to do.
Osage (6-5) showcased its speed and ball handling on Tuesday as the Indians took a 1-0 lead in the first minute when Alyssa Newberry lifted her leg waist-high to knock in a goal. Newberry scored her second goal on a corner kick that curved in for the 3-0 halftime lead.
Olson said defense is an aspect that does get overlooked, and the Lady Bulldogs (2-15-1) did turn away some Osage scoring threats during the game. Kenley Jones chased down a breakaway attempt in the second half while disrupting several other chances, and Tessa Haefling acted like a goalkeeper even though she has been playing defender as of late because of injury that has kept her out of goal.
“I think defense gets underrated just because they don’t score goals, typically,” Olson said. “It’s very clear to see our girls putting in effort back there. They’re fighting, and they’re a big part of why we’re not getting even more scored on us.”
Osage stayed busy with its 22 shots and eight on goal that didn’t hit the back of the net. Mexico struggled mounting offense as it took a shot on goal later in the second half but couldn’t make it that far most of the night.
“I think they’re a team that plays really quick,” Olson said. “When we get caught in our defensive half, we just have a hard time getting out. Moving up as a unit is really important because if we get the ball up here, but we have nobody in the midfield, then it’s hard to be able to put anything on frame.”
Olson appreciated Mexico didn’t give up and kept shooting and also loves the passion shown by the bench, as if Azdell was still there cheering on the Lady Bulldogs.
“In our breakdowns, we say ‘Emma’ because that is what we’re fighting for,” Olson said. “We’re all in this together so to be able to cheer for each other and to want to encourage each other is really important.”
Mexico (1-6 NCMC) hosted North Central Missouri Conference foe Hannibal (10-6, 7-0 NCMC) on Thursday, losing 8-0, prior to hosting conference rival Moberly (9-7, 4-4 NCMC) at 5 p.m. Monday.
