In the game with ... Tara Kerns

CHESAPEAKE

Something seemed to be missing as the Great Bridge girls soccer team started the spring with a stumble.

Or maybe someone.

Senior Tara Kerns, its midfied playmaker, was in Russia with the U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program Region I team playing in the Kuban Spring Tournament. And while her Wildcat teammates thumped Landstown 3-0, then saw the same scoreline reversed against Princess Anne, Kerns was facing the likes of Turkey, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.

"It was a great experience competing at the international level," she said. "It opened my eyes to the next level of soccer."

Kerns was selected after participating in a week-long camp at the University of Rhode Island in July. While at camp, Kerns said a coach informed her that she was under consideration for the team. She was officially notified of her inclusion to the team in December.

"I was really excited and really nervous," said Kerns, whose team finished fifth in the tournament after losing to Turkey on penalty kicks. "That's a lot of school to miss - 13 to 14 days. But I just went for it."

During the first two weeks of March, Kerns was in Sochi, the southern Russian city along the Black Sea that is hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics, practicing with 17 other Region I teammates up to three times a day. In six games, she played as a defender - a change from her usual spot in the lineup.

"It gave me a different perspective of the game," said Kerns, who has played in the middle for much of her life. "I have more of an understanding of when I'm going at a defender."

And though Kerns has been back for less than a handful of games, Great Bridge coach Jennifer Hamilton has noticed her standing out on the field.

"It's boosted her confidence to go out and execute," Hamilton said. "Some people fade; she's going to figure a way to get involved and shine. She's starting to really dominate."

And that will be key as both coach and player pointed out a goal of reaching the state Group AAA tournament. Kerns, who has signed with Hofstra, is one of nine seniors for the Wildcats. They have finished runner-up in the Southeastern District the past three seasons, though they won the district tournament in 2008.

"Her work ethic is always consistent; she gives a hundred percent and pushes her teammates," Hamilton said.

"I want to clone her to keep having her on my team."