by Frank Aceto

Associate Sports Editor

Don't scold yourself if you thought you were seeing things.

It just seemed like the Hudson girls soccer team had more than one Shana Othen.

That's because Othen could be seen just about everywhere on the field. It usually didn't matter which team had the ball. The standout forward made a huge impact on both ends of the field.

"Shana is the complete player," Lady Explorers head coach Jon Wilson said. "Her work ethic raised the bar every minute that we were together as a team. Coming into the 2007 season, she was fit and able to cover the entire field, defensively and offensively."

As a result of her never-ending energy, Othen will continue her academic and soccer careers at the University of Toledo. She plans to study childhood education and hopes to pursue a career as a kindergarten teacher.

"Toledo seemed like the obvious candidate," Othen said. "I loved the campus and I really liked all the girls I met. They really have an awesome team."

Toledo, which plays in the Mid-American Conference, finished 14-6-3 overall in 2007 and earned a trip to the NCAA Championships for the second consecutive year.

Othen, who also considered Ohio University in Athens and Bowling Green State University, has the ability to finish plays and set up her teammates. The standout midfielder/forward scored 10 goals and added eight assists as a senior. Hudson finished 9-9-2 last season.

"I can play offense or defense," Othen said. "It doesn't matter where I play. I'm excited. We have a big recruiting class and Toledo has won the MAC two years in a row."

Othen, a team captain in 2007, was named to the Greater Akron Soccer Coaches Association All-District and All-Northeast Ohio Conference first teams. She also is a Scholar Athlete.

Othen attracted plenty of attention on the field. Her work, off the field, however, proved to be just as impressive.

"If Shana wasn't attacking at full speed, she was closing down on opponents and giving them very little time to think," Wilson said. "As a team captain, all the players and staff had the utmost respect for her friendly and encouraging attitude toward all her fellow teammates regardless of their age."

E-mail: faceto@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3914