For many people across the area who are tuned into girls soccer, they probably envision Chippewa girls soccer coach Ruth Coney as much like coach Gary Gaines in Friday Night Lights. At the end of the movie, he takes the names off his blackboard of his starters from that year and simply replaces them. The result is much the same, success, success and more success, and for Coney, it’s been rolling that way since about 2001.
For her, it’s much more as she remembers each and every one of her players dating back to her start in 1997. This year, though, she has a group in the offensive third that could rival the groups of the past, but as Coney would always say, each one is very special and dear to her.
This year, there is the headliner in junior Delaney Marshall. Make no mistake, the area’s unanimously best player is well known statewide. She will probably become the program’s third-ever three-time All-Ohioan, first-ever offensive player to achieve such a feat and join legends Kay Young (midfielder, 2007, 2006, 2005) and Sara Boyan (defender, 2006, 2005, 2004) as three-timers. Earning All-Ohioan this year, she will join a list of Elena Moyer, Bailey Clark, Sydnee Barnett, Nadya Boualany and Emily Badock as two-time All-Ohioans.
She isn’t alone, and that’s the bad news for opponents this year and next year. Flanking her are sophomores Emme Donnelly and Alaina Henthorn and senior Cally West, with the addition of a few others.
“Getting further into the playoffs, we know teams will hone in on me and Emme,” said Marshall. “It’s just a matter of finding the open person. In practice, we find each other, and we have a full team that can make shots, and they do each day in practice. It’s just a matter of trusting each other, and I think we all trust each other. We are all like a family.”
Donnelly is a dynamo in her own right, strong with both feet, good vision and a penchant for finding the net. On any other team in the area and the majority of the teams in Division V, she is their top offensive option.
“We understand each other,” said Donnelly. “We have a great connection. We pick each other up, and there is no selfishness. If someone else scores, I’m just as happy as if it was me scoring, and I feel that excitement is what connects us together. We all wish the best for each other, and that’s what makes our bond so special.”
Henthorn continues to blossom and works to attack with both feet as she possesses a booming left foot and will be a force next year. This year, for the second year in a row, she had her season cut short early due to an injury. West is the senior leader, has great vision, can set up anyone and is simply tough as nails. Stepping up in Henthorn’s absence and quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with is junior Lily Davis.
“Emme and Alaina were freshmen last year, and we’ve been playing together ever since,” said Marshall. “We’ve really bonded and connected well. We read each other. We know where each of us wants the ball, know each other’s speed, and we just play really well together.
Chippewa junior Lily Davis fires this throw in against Kirtland.
Joshua McWilliams
“Lily (Davis) has really stepped into her role since the injuries, and ever since she has started, she has really stepped it up so much. She is stepping to balls. She is staying with her defender. She has put in a lot of work, and she deserves it.”
On Nov. 1, it was Donnelly’s turn to deliver the game’s only score with 22:52 left in the first half to beat Kirtland 1-0 in a Div. V regional final. Splitting a pair of defenders, she kicked the ball just inside the near post, and with it, the Chipps advanced to their seventh state appearance.
“That was a crazy moment; I wasn’t expecting it,” said Donnelly. “There was a girl on me. I just tried to tap it, and when I saw it went to the corner, I was so surprised, overjoyed and excited.”
As for making it back to state?
“It feels awesome,” said Donnelly. “As a sophomore, back-to-back to state is insane, and I am so excited that I get to keep playing with all my teammates. I just love them so much. I just want to continue this journey with them, and I am so excited.”
Talking about that bond that both Marshall and Donnelly gush about.
“It means literally the world to me,” said Donnelly. “I keep imagining before games, ‘How would it feel if we lose and I can’t play with them,’ and I don’t even know what to think. They mean everything to me, and if I couldn’t play with them anymore, I’d be so upset.”
That bond that this group has is clear and evident by their play, celebrations and elation for whenever anyone scores. It shows in the way they conduct themselves in practice, pushing each other to be better, teaching each other and above all, fighting for each other. At this time of year, that drive and that want to can add just enough motivation to carry teams, along with their talent.
“Our bond is 110% motivating,” said Donnelly. “I don’t want to leave them. They don’t want to leave me, especially our seniors. I love our seniors so much. They are awesome and just continuing to play for them and with them is everything.”