CONWAY -- Dyann Shade admits she enters the Arkansas High School Coaches Association's annual girls All-Star soccer game with mixed emotions.
The former Bentonville standout is grateful for one more opportunity to compete in the sport she has played for 14 years, but she also realizes once tonight's match ends at the Stephens Complex her playing career comes to an end.
Today’s Ticket
Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Soccer Games
When: Girls, 6 p.m.; Boys 8 p.m.
Where: Stephens Complex, University of Central Arkansas, Conway
Team Rosters
WEST GIRLS
Head Coach: Neville Matthews, El Dorado
Assistant Coaches: Kevin Bledsoe, Mena; Karrie Irwin, Hot Springs; Chris Pratt, Harrison
Manager: Orie Davis, El Dorado
No.^ Name^ School
1^Brittanie Gragg^Huntsville
2^Dyann Shade^ Bentonville
3^Maria Ramirez^White Hall
4^Shelby McGarrah^Harrison
5^Megan Moore^Sheridan
6^Sarah Sixby^El Dorado
7^Spencer Tuggle^Arkadelphia
8^Kasey Smith^El Dorado
9^Suri Dominquez^De Queen
11^Ingrid Gibson^Siloam Springs
12^Lauren Roth^Shiloh Christian
14^Jacie McMahan^Bryant
15^Jessica McCauley^Central Arkansas Christian
16^Grayson Tharp^Siloam Springs
17^Morgan McCormick^Greenbrier
18^Yoyci Lopez^Berryville
19^Emily Cole^Hot Springs Lakeside
20^Callie Smith^Arkadelphia
21^Rori Whittaker^Bryant
22^Taylor Robertson^El Dorado
EAST GIRLS
Head Coach: Sheffield Duke, Little Rock Central
Assistant Coaches: Jessica Beaver, Maumelle; Andrew Post, Greenwood; Michael Riba, Vilonia
Manager: Grayston Barrow, Little Rock Central
No. Name School Coach
1^ Hayley Hales^Greenwood
2^Rebecca Hardcastle^Little Rock Central
3^ Natalie Cochran^Maumelle
5^Ellie Zuerlein^Little Rock Christian
6^Margo Lee^ LR Episcopal Collegiate
7^Abigail Persson^Sylvan Hills
8^Haley Stotts^Little Rock Christian
10^Anna Cain^Conway Christian
11^Givonne Marshall^North Little Rock
12^Peyton Turner^Conway
14^Ashley O’Dell^Russellville
15^Lillian McEntire^North Little Rock
16^Kendall Hollowell^Searcy
17^Alysa Hollingsworth^Vilonia
18^Elizabeth Hambuchen^Conway St. Joseph
19^Sarah Henson^Fort Smith Southside
20^Leanna Krisht^Pulaski Academy
21^Maddie Mead^Batesville
Game Officials: Kristen Jones, Teri Raborn, Caroline Pittman, Carol Fleming
WEST BOYS
Head Coach: Brett Haugh, Bryant
Assistant Coaches: Jean Evans, Bergman; Steve Jones, Greenbrier; Bobby Winn, Benton
Manager: Jack Buck, Bryant
No.^ Name^School
1^Edgar Zamora^ De Queen
2^Selvin Reyes^Berryville
3^Blake Reed^Bryant
4^Matt Lim^Centerpoint
5^Davis Nossaman^Bryant
6^Yosi Umana^Siloam Springs
7^Evan Munro^Hot Springs Lakeside
8^Beck Brooks^Harrison
9^Andrew Matthews^Harrison
10^Daniel Dunham^Subiaco
11^Jerry Valdez^Berryville
12^Bryce Denker^Bryant
13^D’Arius Stokes^Benton
14^Jose Candenas^Hot Springs
15^Jack Lakey^Greenbrier
16^Tolliver Davis^Bentonville
17^Eric Perez^Green Forest
18^Logan Steed^Lake Hamilton
19^Michi Forbess^Benton
20^Ryan Richardson^El Dorado
21^Gio De La Paz^Hot Springs
22^ Richard Hudson^Fayetteville
EAST BOYS
Head Coach: Steve Porter, Cabot
Assistant Coaches: Roger Hollis, Paragould; Walter King, Searcy; Barry McCaskill, Little Rock Christian
Manager: Cameron Stokes, Cabot
No.^Name^School
1^Samuel Iraduro^Fort Smith Northside
2^Trevor Reed^Cabot
3^DaQuan Perry^Searcy
4^Connor Walls^Little Rock Catholic
5^Beau Helmet^Mountain Home
6^Ashton Miller^North Little Rock
7^Jose Crisostomo^Russellville
8^Miguel Nava^Russellville
9^Noah Peters^Sylvan Hills
10^Tristan Stalbaum^Valley View
11^Dusty Gibson^Nettleton
12^Omar Aguillon^Jonesboro
13^Heriberto Marin^North Little Rock
14^Cody Moore^Vilonia
15^Baylee Moore^Greenwood
16^Elijah Hayden^Greenwood
17^Cody Wooten^Fort Smith Southside
18^Connor Rice^Paragould
20^Jake Jacoby^Pulaski Academy
22^Tristan Billings^West Memphis
Game Officials: Steven Gibbs, Robert Ritchie, Thomas Ritchie, Matthew Peterson
"It's kind of a bittersweet moment, but I'm ready to end it all and move on," Shade said. "I'm excited to be playing with new girls and see how they also play, but thinking that this is the last actual game I will be playing, it's still going to be sad for me."
Many of the athletes who have embarked on the Central Arkansas campus this week share that same sentiment. While many players use their respective All-Star games as a springboard to take them to the college level, many of them see this week as their last opportunity to shine.
Richard Hudson had thoughts of continuing his soccer career and looked at some colleges with that in mind. Instead, the former Fayetteville standout opted for academics, but he couldn't pass on the All-Star experience.
"I've been looking forward to this for quite a while," Hudson said. "It's an honor to be selected for the team.
"For me, it's my last time to play on a varsity or club team, so I'm looking forward to practicing with some of the best in the state. Being able to compete for something like this will be a good experience."
The players sometimes have to go through a transitional experience in the All-Star games because they are asked to play a different position than the one they played throughout their high school season. That is something Shade has been used to doing throughout her career, even in her last match.
She started out the Class 7A State Championship against Bryant last month as a forward. When the Lady Tigers needed a little defensive help, she moved to a defender position, so she doesn't mind too much where she plays.
"I really don't care what position I will play, honestly," Shade said. "I really don't want to play any outside midfielder position because I'm out of shape compared to what I was during the season, but I don't mind where they will put me."
Hudson, who played in the center part of the backfield throughout the season, said he would prefer a similar position during tonight's game but is acceptable to a move in position and kept himself ready for the game.
"When I was notified I was going to be on this team, I really didn't want to let myself go," Hudson said. "Over the past couple of weeks, I've been doing some light jogging in order to keep my stamina up and definitely hydrating because it's summer, so I've been trying to keep a consistent stamina level up."
Shade is joined on the West roster by four other area players -- Brittanie Gragg of Huntsville, Ingrid Gibson and Grayson Tharp of Siloam Springs and Lauren Roth of Shiloh Christian -- for the girls game. On the boys side, Hudson will be on the West team with Tolliver Davis of Bentonville and Yosi Umana of Siloam Springs.
Sports on 06/25/2014