Alyssa Coons made the move from forward to midfield last season for the Union soccer Lady ’Cats and it paid immediate dividends.
Union won both the Four Rivers Conference and district titles and it helped Coons secure a soccer scholarship at St. Charles Community College.
“They contacted me and went to a couple of my games,” Coons said. “They called me and asked me to come visit. I liked it there and I liked the coaches a lot. That was a big part of it.”
Coons moved to midfield during the 2012 season and recorded 22 assists, good for fifth in the St. Louis area.
A good part of that was getting the ball to her sister, Bethany Coons, who scored 55 goals as a freshman.
“My sister’s scoring more now, so I can just get her the ball,” Alyssa said.
At St. Charles, Coons feels she will play a role similar to what she’s been doing for Union.
“They see me playing forward or midfield,” Coons said. “They may change me up because they need more offensive players. I’ll play either forward or midfield.”
Coons said her favorite high school memory so far was last year’s district championship game against Borgia. The Lady ’Cats trailed Borgia before coming back to tie the game in the final six minutes. Alyssa Coons started the play which led to Bethany Coons’ game-winning goal in overtime.
“Definitely winning the district last year was my favorite, especially how it ended in overtime,” Coons said. “Beth and I went up and got the last goal.”
Coons, one of the smallest players on the field, has made sure that nobody bullies her. She has thrived on the chippy play.
“I’m really aggressive, I guess I can say,” Coons stated.
Alyssa feels that Union should have another good team this season.
“I think we’re going to do real good, probably about the same as last year,” Alyssa said. “We’ve got a couple of pretty good girls coming up, so it will be pretty good.”
Coons plays club soccer for WC Arsenal and has played club soccer for most of her life.
“I play for Chris Fuchs and WC Arsenal St. Louis,” said Coons. “I started last year. I played for St. Louis Busch for six years and left in 2006. I came back last year and have been there ever since.”
Coons hopes to use her time at St. Charles to earn the chance to play at a four-year school.
Academically, Coons is looking to go into the medial field.
“I’m thinking of doing something in the medical field,” Coons said. “I’m not really sure yet. I’m thinking maybe something in occupational therapy.”
