Girls soccer Norwalk’s Campbell excels as a leader

Senior has been captain for three years

Stephanie Metzger

Leadership comes from all ages and levels, but Norwalk senior Laurel Campbell has piloted the girls soccer team since her sophomore year.

Campbell has been a team captain for three years, but her leadership skills are merely one bullet on her resume. A threeyear letter-winner, Campbell was named team MVP and offensive player of the year in 2013. She also received first team all-district honors.

The Truckers crafted a 13-3-0 record during regular season play, defeating Sandusky, 5-0, in their final match of the season Oct. 6. Campbell has led the team in goals scored this season with 11, but coach James Igneczi noted her selflessness, which has also led Campbell to 14 assists.

“She’s extremely unselfish,” Igneczi said. “If she was selfish, she could score 35 to 50 goals a season.”

Campbell’s altruism is evident. She credits her team for her lengthy list of accomplishments and noted their bond as one of their biggest strengths.

“I just feel very excited to keep playing with all these girls and maintain the relationship that I’ve built with all of them by being able to trust and play with each one of them individually,” Campbell said.

Leading a squad for three years hasn’t applied any added pressure to Campbell. In fact, she’s considered the opportunity a blessing rather than a task.

“I just feel like it was almost like a gift to me,” Campbell said. “It was almost like a confidencebooster for me to keep my head up and lead the girls and have them see me as a role model to try to keep the team in good spirits.”

Scott Mahoney/SMahoney@MorningJournal.com Norwalk team captain Laurel Campbell works through the Mapleton defense during the Truckers’ victory on Oct. 2 in Norwalk.