Waubonsie Valley's Dodson was born to score goals
Soccer is in her blood.
It really shouldn't come as a surprise that Waubonsie Valley senior Kristen Dodson led the Warriors to third place in Class 3A this spring. After all soccer runs in her family.
Dodson's older brother, Ryan Dodson, played at the University of North Carolina. Her cousins, Brittany and Chelsea Potts, played at LSU.
Dodson, the captain of the 2014 Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area girls soccer team, will take her game to Auburn.
"I fell in love with Auburn right away," she said. "I started getting emails and letters from schools in eighth grade. I looked at other ones, but Auburn is the best fit for me."
She'll play for veteran coach Karen Hoppa, who has led the Tigers to 12 NCAA Tournament berths in 14 years.
"Kristen is a dynamic forward who is dangerous every time she touches the ball," Hoppa said. "She can play anywhere in the front line and is explosive as well as a great goal scorer."
Waubonsie Valley (23-2-3) enjoyed an amazing run this spring. The Warriors lost their opener 2-1 to Lyons Twp. on March 17 but didn't lose again until a heartbreaking, 1-0 match to eventual Class 3A state champion New Trier in the semifinals.
Dodson led the way all season. She scored 25 goals, but more significantly, 12 of those were game-winners. She also distributed, finishing with 7 assists.
Dodson victimized Naperville North twice. She scored the game-winner in a 2-0 win in mid-April and then ended the Huskies season in the sectional semifinals, scoring the game-winner early in the second half.
"Kristen has always been such a dangerous player in the past seasons," Huskies coach Steve Goletz said. "Her speed and ability to take players on make her special. This season she clearly elevated her game to a new level as a senior and became a true goal scorer and finisher.
"While it wasn't fun to try and come up with a way to defend her as an opposing coach, she sure was electrifying to watch as a fan of soccer."
As a four-year player, Dodson scored 56 times and progressively got better each season.
"She's grown up over the years and is one of the best at taking people on," Warriors coach Julie Bergstrom said. "That 1v1 ability to beat people is what sets her apart."
Dodson and fellow senior Mackenzie Fuller were a dynamic combination this spring, feeding off of each other. Fuller, a UIC recruit, had 14 goals and 14 assists.
"We really bonded this season," Fuller said. "We really had a connection. We'd played together for multiple years, but it all came together this year. I'd assist her; she'd assist me. It was a lot of fun."
Dodson was introduced to the game early on in life and recalls mimicking her brother, Ryan.
"I followed after him," she said. "I can't pinpoint an exact moment when I realized soccer was for me, though. I've just always liked it. I like to attack."
She most certainly likes to attack and she made things difficult for the back lines of Upstate Eight Conference foes as well as the rest of the state. She scored or assisted in 20 of 28 matches and the Warriors were only shut out three times.
"I love having the ball, possessing and attacking," she said. "When I was really young I played goalkeeper, but once I moved to forward I was set. I love getting the ball, moving forward and taking on defenders."
Defenders have a difficult time matching the speed and quickness of Dodson, as well as her ability to deliver powerful finishes and be creative.
"She always look to get faced up, which helps with the attack," Waubonsie Valley junior midfielder Morgan Kemerling said. "She's so good with her back to the goal, so I know I can always look for her and be the support under her."
Dodson played in her final game on Saturday, netting her final goal in a convincing, 5-1 win over Lincoln-Way North. For her effort Dodson left North Central College's field with a third-place trophy and some great memories after four seasons as a Warrior.
"This was probably my favorite moment," she said. "Nothing to worry about. I was able to relax and get a chance to play with everybody. It was a lot of fun."