Top-notch player, season

Soccer statistics are straightforward.

You've got goals, assists, shots on goal and saves.

But in the case of Cary-Grove senior forward Kelsey Passaglia, the assists column tells a much deeper story.

Passaglia, the Honorary Co-Captain of the 2008 Daily Herald All-Area girls soccer team, averaged 3 assists per year in her first three varsity seasons.

That assist number ballooned to 16 this season. Couple that with her area-leading 19 goals, and it's easy to see just how vital Passaglia was to Cary-Grove's success this spring.

"Her assists multiplied so much while she maintained relatively similar goal production," said Cary-Grove coach Ray Krystal, whose team went 15-3 and tied for the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division title with Crystal Lake South this season. "She's a player who is contributing and making other players around her better. She makes other players around her that much more effective and that much more dangerous."

Passaglia, an all-state selection this season and a lock for her second straight all-FVC Valley selection (all-conference selections hadn't been released as of press time), looks at the contributions she made this season in a different light.

"My leadership skills and my communication improved this year," said Passaglia, a 2007 Daily Herald All-Area pick. "Last year I was a big leader on and off the field, but it was nowhere near this year. It was a completely different type of leadership this year. I was more well-rounded on and off the field. I talked to the girls a lot more than just about soccer. Leadership is one of the biggest things for teams. Everybody is their own leader, but I think if you have a good, strong base, that's a good thing for the team. But there were a lot of girls who helped with leadership as well."

Krystal felt Passaglia's leadership skills acted as a blueprint of sorts.

"She's very determined," said Krystal "As she has matured through the years that determination has increased. Her incredible desire to be better as an individual player and her leadership ability increased. Basically she's been a model for the other players to look to in terms of how to perform and conduct themselves on and off the field."

Determination to be a better leader filtered into something else that aided Passaglia's game.

"With leadership comes confidence," said Passaglia, who will continue her soccer career at Division III Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., next season. "Being more composed allowed me to calm down and play my game instead of being freaked out about every little thing."

Passaglia, who played with the FCX club team out of Barrington this past season, admits she used to get quite worked up during games.

"My first couple of years, and that's how it probably is for everyone, I got worked up with little things," said Passaglia, whose sister, Lindsey, was a four-year soccer player for Cary-Grove and went on to play at Division I Western Kentucky. Brother, Kevin, played for Bruce Kay's Cary-Grove football team.

"That's the stuff you have to let go. Everybody makes mistakes. I don't think I was as composed as I was this year. It's something I think everybody grows into."

Racking up 19 goals and 16 assists (54 points) isn't something Passaglia wants to take full credit for.

"It starts in the back and it works it way up to the front," said Passaglia. "I couldn't have done this without the other girls. It was how we worked with the formation and how we worked together. It was easy to connect with everyone."

Passaglia said she was at her best when she let her feet do the talking.

"I try not to think about (scoring)," said Passaglia, who counts a header goal scored directly off a corner kick at the Prospect tournament this year as one of her high school favorites.

"That's where confidence comes back into play. The biggest thing with me is if I start thinking about it, I'll end up messing up. It tried not to think out there most of the time."

Passaglia, who scored 22 goals as a junior and ended her four-year varsity career with 51 goals and 25 assists, leaves Cary-Grove with plenty of memories.

"I still can't get over the loss (Cary-Grove lost to Crystal Lake South in the regional semifinal). It's really been hard to get over," said Passaglia, who would like to coach soccer at the high school or college level someday. "I'm never going to forget this. It's been a great four years. I've got four years of college ahead of me now."

Passaglia is glad she stuck with the sport she started playing back in the local recreation league as a youngster (in the Muppets division).

"I love the training and I love the girls and the relationships you build with them," said Passaglia. "Soccer is part of my life. I wouldn't be me without it."

Krystal isn't surprised in the least bit that Passaglia finished her high school career with a bang.

"First and foremost, she has the athletic ability and talent," said Krystal. "But she's done an awful lot of work to optimize that talent. She has an exceptional work ethic. She was very committed and determined to make herself the best she could be. Her desire for improvement has been top-notch."

And it led to Passaglia having a top-notch senior season.