Taylor Mertz, James River Rapids
Age: 16 Year: Junior
Position: Left Back, Left Outside Midfield
Performance: Scored one goal in James River's 3-1 victory over then-No. 1 Cosby. Mertz also played stellar defense in a 1-0 victory over Monacan.
Best trait: "I'd probably say that my best trait is that I'm left-footed and that I'm unselfish with the ball."
On last week: "Cosby, we were just really pumped for that game. It was one of our most important games for the season. We were just really ready for that game and it paid off. The Monacan game, we were kind of tired, but we're really in shape and it showed in the last couple of minutes in the game when we got that goal."
Funniest teammate: Nancy Wright. She just always cracks jokes on eveyrone, including herself. Everyone just looks up to her."
Pregame routine: "Before every game we have this little basket that looks like a soccer ball. Someone has it for a game and then they tell a story about another person on the team and then we all have to guess who it is. Once they get it they have to wear it and run around in a circle and we bang there head. It gets us pumped up for the game." The basket's name is Sebastian. "It was just kind of a random, funny name."
Invite any three people to dinner: "My best friend Hallie Rogers (Monacan's star), David Beckham and probably my travel soccer coach, Dave Amsler." Mertz plays for FC Richmond.
Describe yourself in one word: "Fun-loving."
Which, a one-on-one tackle or a goal: "It probably depends if it was a really important tackle, but if we really needed the goal, I'd take the goal."
Goals: "I'm verbally committed to ODU already. I'm looking forward to that because I committed with two girls from my FC Richmond team, Hallie and [James River's] Aubrie Ewell."
Toughest opponent: "I'd say overall it would have to be Midlo. Most of us on the team know the people on the other team. As a team thay are one of our biggest opponents."
On season: "I think before the season I expected to do well, but I think overall I've been surprised by how well we're doing. I'm really excited about this season."
- Stephen M. Lewis
