STATE EXTRA: Myers’ diverse experiences prepare her for Mustangs

FISHERSVILLE — For some athletes, playing their sport in season isn’t enough.

Some are what could be called “hardcore.” There are even a few who go out of their way to get that extra dose — Wilson’s Hannah Myers just so happens to be one of these players.

Myers used to play in the state Olympic Development Program and even played in Costa Rica for a week. Although any player can try out, only premier players are selected for the ODP team — there are only 40 ODP soccer players from each state.

During her week of intense soccer training, Myers’ practiced every day, then, at the end of the day, would have a match — Myers’ team never lost. They even tied the Costa Rican national ODP team.

“She’s unbelievable,” said Hornet coach Scott Crist.

He said that all it takes is watching Myers for the first five-minutes of a game to see how good she is. Crist praises her stamina and her ability and willingness to play all 80 minutes if asked.

“She’s one of the best I’ve seen in this area,” Crist said.

Because of the excessive travel, Myers stopped the ODP program. Now she’s involved in the Soccer Organization Charlottesville Albamarle program. 

As part of the training and teaching that goes on in both programs, one-touch passing is among the fundamentals stressed.

“It’s helped a lot,” Myers said. “I’ve learned to pass a lot better.”

In most high schools one-touch passing isn’t pushed as much as other skills, which gives Myers the edge.

“If you hold it more than one or two touches, they’re going to take it from you,” Crist said. “If you play like that against a team like George Mason you’re going to be in trouble.”

It’s an edge that she’ll need today in the Group A semifinals against George Mason — the team that beat the Hornets in the Region B championship.

“I’m mentally prepared, physically too, but more mentally,” Myers said. “I want it so bad.”

She also thinks that the rest of the team is ready.

“Now we know what to expect. [Last time] the first 10-minutes we watched to see how they played, then in the last ten-minutes we scored,” Myers said.