Young Pioneers following captains’ lead

The Elyria girls soccer team has three seniors and was blitzed in its season opener by Midview, 9-0.

For a young group, it fell on the shoulders of team captains such as junior Jessie Thomas and senior goalkeeper Hannah McCray to rally the team together.

They did that on Aug. 21 at Vermilion, pulling away in a 4-2 win. Thomas responded scoring a hat trick and one assist, while McCray made 10 saves, including key ones in the second half, when the Sailors upped the pressure.

The leadership of those two came through.

“The past couple of years I’ve been wanting to be a captain really, really badly,” Thomas said. “I feel like since I got it this year, then I just feel more energetic and driven to lead the team. A lot of the girls on this team are brand new and just started playing soccer. So for the captains, you kind of have to lead them everywhere. I don’t think the high level players will really improve that much, it’s mostly working on our leadership skills and building us up as a team together.”

It hasn’t always been easy for Thomas, who is head coach Brian Thomas’ daughter. The father-daughter relationship is as strong as ever at home, but during practices and games, Jessie is just like anyone else on the Pioneers’ roster.

“It’s a blast,” Brian Thomas said. “But it presents challenges for Jessie. For me, I don’t want to favor her at times. It’s a dynamic where it’s probably a little different for a lot of high schools where their daughter isn’t on the team. But I think a lot of these girls grew up playing with her and we’re kind of comfortable with it.”

Thomas’ confidence has grown over the years. She used to be shy with the ball until she hooked up with former Strongsville coach Jon Felton, who helped her develop one-touches and more confidence. The Pioneers place her in the middle of the field and let her run the show.

Elyria’s season also hinges on McCray, whom she says is a better player now than ever before.

McCray was “a mess” early in her career.

“I tried playing soccer my freshman year and had no idea what I was doing,” she said. “This is my senior year and I have to go big. I want to make an impression not only on this team but other coaches.”

Coach Thomas says McCray’s biggest improvements have been mentally and emotionally. McCray earned honorable mention all-Lorain County last season.

“To see her develop and grow has been awesome,” coach Thomas said.

Elyria doesn’t have a JV team, something coach Thomas has been working on, with 23 girls in the program. But when facing young teams similar to them — like Vermilion with only two seniors — the Pioneers relish those nights.

This year is about making progress under the leadership of McCray and Thomas.

“That’s the exciting thing about coaching at Elyria is being able to develop kids,” coach Thomas said. “It’s tough on some nights, but you see the growth. Where they are now compared to our first summer league games, you wouldn’t even recognize. So that is the blessing about coaching here.”

Thomas