2010 Lady Dragon Spot Light

Versatile is a good description for senior forward Ashlea Marler. The four-year Carroll girls soccer player definitely knows her way around a soccer field.

Over her seasons with the Lady Dragons, Marler has done it all -- served as a defender, midfielder and forward. Although she's been content to lay back and create opportunities for other players, she's embraced the opportunity to help boost the offensive attack this season when she was moved to forward.

So far, Marler is doing just that, as she's second on the team in goals (three) and first in the team in assists (three), to tie for the team lead of six points.

"She's kind of changed her mindset and decided she wants to be a catalyst for this team with scoring instead of passing off," said Carroll coach Matt Colvin, whose third-place Lady Dragons (9-4-2 overall, 3-2 in district before Tuesday) travel to face Marcus (1-3-1 before Tuesday) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

"She may not be dumping in loads of goals compared to players in the area, but she's creating those opportunities and putting teams on their heels, and that's part of the game," he said. "She's forcing teams to get numbers back and defend."

Marler has been effective wherever she's been moved to play on the field. The senior brings a tenacity with her, never wanting to lose and not settling for anything less than a strong performance from herself and teammates. Colvin said her willingness to do whatever it takes shows her unselfishness as a player.

Transitioning to a different spot is never easy, Marler admits. Surprisingly, she isn't a big fan of change. But she realizes her moves to other parts of the field are for the team's best interest and she's willing to deal with any inconvenience that comes with learning a new duty.

"I was nervous to play forward at the beginning of the year," said Marler, who's already committed to play college soccer at Northwestern State in Louisiana. "I begged Colvin, 'Play me outside, play me outside.' But each position teaches you so much. ... It's given me more of a range to know everything about soccer.

"It takes me a while, but once I get it, I get it. Soccer is soccer. No matter what position you're placed, you're trying to do the same thing and helping the team."

With sophomore midfielder Lissi Lonsberry, Carroll's leading goal-scorer with five, currently out due to an ankle sprain, Marler will continue to pick up the extra load. She knows she can't do her job without the rest of her teammates and gives them credit for any success she's had this year.

"Definitely movement off the ball [creates success at forward]," Marler said. "You need a post runner, a front runner, a second and third runner. ... If one person isn't doing it, then the next person has to want it and work as hard as the others."

For this complete article, full Carroll sports coverage and Southlake community news read The Southlake Journal every Friday or online at www.southlakejournal.com.