Kraft to display offensive skills this season

Casey Kraft has been the ultimate team player for the Southeast Missouri State women's soccer program.

As a freshman in 2005, Kraft primarily played up front. She was second on the squad in goals with seven, third in assists with three and second in points with 17.

The past two years saw Kraft mainly patrol the back line as one of Southeast's key defenders.

Kraft's offensive production, not surprisingly, dropped significantly as she combined for seven goals and one assist during those two seasons.

Kraft didn't mind because she was a major reason the Redhawks won Ohio Valley Conference tournament titles in 2006 and 2007 for the program's first two NCAA tournament appearances.

"I've just tried to play wherever I'm needed to help the team out," Kraft said.

Where Kraft probably will be needed the most this season is back toward the opposition's goal as the Redhawks lost roughly half of their scoring from a year ago.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Southeast's Casey Kraft moved the ball during an exhibition game earlier this season.

"She's been such an impact player for us since her freshman year, so versatile," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said. "This year we'll look to keep her as close to the opponent's goal as possible."

Kraft is fine with that plan.

"I'm definitely pretty goal hungry," she said before Tuesday night's practice at Houck Stadium. "I've played in the back, but I'm real excited to play forward."

The reason Nelson felt so comfortable in having Kraft assume various roles is because Nelson saw first-hand what the former St. Louis-area high school star could do before she came to Southeast.

Nelson said Kraft was the state defensive player of the year as a senior at perennial national powerhouse Nerinx Hall, but she played forward on an Olympic Development Program team that Nelson coached.

"I knew she could do it all," Nelson said.

The 5-foot-11 Kraft started 12 of 20 games as a freshman, when her seven goals and 17 points helped place her on the OVC all-newcomer team.

Kraft has been a full-time starter the past two seasons. She earned second-team all-conference honors and saved her best for last as a sophomore in 2006.

After playing in the back for most of the season, Kraft was moved up more than usual during the OVC tournament in order to provide an offensive spark.

Kraft responded with two goals in the semifinals and another goal in the finals — they were three of her five goals on the season — as Southeast captured its first OVC tournament title and first NCAA tournament berth.

Kraft tallied two goals as the Redhawks swept the OVC regular-season and tournament championships on their way to a second straight NCAA tournament berth last year.

"Casey has had a great career for us," Nelson said.

Kraft, voted by her teammates as one of Southeast's three captains for this season, said she relishes everything about her decision to attend Southeast.

"I'm very happy I came here," said the Southeast Scholar Athlete who is majoring in nursing. "I love the coaching staff and all the girls have been fantastic."

What would really make Kraft's college soccer career complete is for the Redhawks to three-peat as OVC tournament champions and advance to a third consecutive NCAA tournament.

Despite the loss of seven starters — including several of their premier players — Kraft believes the Redhawks can get the job done.

"We definitely have the talent, it's just getting everybody used to playing our system," Kraft said. "It would be a fantastic way to go out. It's every senior's dream."