White gets it right

Two goals plus 2 assists doesn't add up to a lot of attention.

But Rosie White's contribution to the Hersey girls soccer program can be measured by its multitude of unprecedented achievements.

"No one knows who she is," said Hersey coach Brad Abel. "I'd definitely take her on my starting 11 in the state."

More Coverage Links The All-Area team

So would a lot of other coaches, as White, a defender was the top vote-getter on the all-sectional team.

And White's defensive work and determination as Hersey reached the Class AA supersectional led to her selection as the Cook County honorary captain of the 2008 Daily Herald All-Area Girls Soccer Team.

"She's been the heart of this program the last four years," Abel said. "Our team will go as far as Rosie is willing to go and that's all the way."

All the way to unfamiliar destinations for the Huskies. Their Mid-Suburban League, regional and sectional championships were the first ones in program history.

"It was a ton of fun," White said. "I had more fun this season than ever playing soccer."

But when Hersey was on the field -- whether it was a match or practice -- there wasn't much goofing around because of White's influence.

"She's the type of competitor who will sacrifice her body to clear the ball up the field," Abel said. "Her passion for the game is what drives her and other people on the team as well.

"The other girls are fearful to not live up to the competitiveness she brings, even in two vs. two training sessions."

Because White doesn't like the feeling of what Hersey experienced only 3 times in 26 matches this year.

"I've never taken to losing very much," White said. "I've been like that since I was a little kid."

It was in kindergarten when her drive to succeed at soccer started. A drive that was evident no matter what position she played in her four varsity seasons at Hersey.

She played almost everywhere except in goal -- outside-midfield, forward, center-midfield and this year at marking back.

"I love playing defense," White said. "You get to work behind the scenes #8230; and we were hard workers and had so much heart. It was awesome."

White, who has a weighted 4.98 grade-point average and scored 32 on the ACT, is planning to follow in her mom's footsteps by going to Illinois to get a sociology degree and become a lawyer.

As for soccer, White said she'll probably play for the school's club team.

"I know it will be hard for me," White said of not playing on a varsity team. "But there is so much of my life I have ahead of me in terms of schoolwork."

And it will be tough for Hersey to not see White in uniform next spring.

"She has such a desire and drive for her team to do well," Abel said. "She will definitely be missed."