Emory Camper, All-Tidewater girls soccer player of the year

VIRGINIA BEACH

Cox girls soccer coach Michele Clark had one concern at the start of the season: Who was going to carry the Falcons’ scoring load?

Clark found her answer in sophomore Emory Camper. The 6-foot-1 forward not only contributed to the Falcons’ offense but led the Beach District in scoring with 26 goals in 24 matches this season.

Not bad for a player who scored just nine goals last year.

Camper is a physical player, but she also posseses speed and finesse .

“She has the ability to finish a goal,” Clark said. “And she did a great job maturing from last year to this year.”

At one point during the season, Camper was averaging nearly two goals per match. In postseason she scored six goals to help lead the Falcons to Beach District and Eastern Region titles and to the school’s fourth consecutive Group AAA state tournament. Cox lost to Mills Godwin in the state semifinals.

Camper is the sixth Cox player in the past nine years to be named All-Tidewater Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

“I was very surprised and honored to receive the award because there are so many other good players around here,” she said. “Getting this award will push me to a higher level. It makes me feel great and it’s a huge compliment.”

Hickory coach David Richels said he was amazed by Camper’s ability. Twice Camper had huge games in victories over the Hawks.

“We had nothing for her and she’s the reason why they won,” Richels said. “She had five goals against us in two games. No one does that.”

And Camper still has two more seasons.

“She’s going to be as good as she wants to be if she continues to work,” Richels said. “She is such a dynamic player and she reads the field very well. What coach wouldn’t want her on their team?”

Larry Rubama, (757) 446-2273 larry.rubama@pilotonline.com