Peters Township’s Laurel Carpenter named MVP
After three years accumulating glitter, Laurel Carpenter anticipated her senior season of soccer to end sensationally. However, the year ended suddenly for the Peters Township senior in overtime on penalty kicks. The Indians were bounced in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL playoffs and finished the 2014 campaign with a 16-2-2 record.
With two gold medals in state competition and three medals, a gold and two silvers in district action, Carpenter’s only hardware this season was a plaque. The Indians finished atop the Section 4-AAA standings with an 11-1 mark.
Agreeing she was ‘disappointed’ with this year, Carpenter said, “Obviously your senior year, you want to go to the end. Soccer can go either way,” she noted. “You can outplay a team and still lose. We beat Canon-Mac twice in regular season to win section, but it is so hard to beat a team three times in one year.”
Carpenter did her best to avert that decision. She scored the tying goal and a penalty kick during the shootout phase, yet Peters Township succumbed to Canon-McMillan, 2-1, in overtime in a WPIAL quarterfinal playoff game at Elizabeth-Forward.
The season, however, was not a total loss for Carpenter. She gained every post-season honor imaginable: all-section, all-WPIAL and all-state. While she scored 13 goals and finished with 47 for her career, Carpenter also closed out her career as the school’s all-time assist leader.
Carpenter modestly attributes that feat to playing alongside Veronica Latsko, who holds the school record for goals and is now excelling at the University of Virginia. Carpenter played on two state championship club with Latsko, who was a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in high school.
“It was so easy with Vee. I would assist and she would score,” explained the 18-year-old senior. As a defensive midfielder, Carpenter added, “I more or less set up plays and make things happen. It’s unusual for me to score and I’m used to that. Basically, I keep the connection between the defense and the forwards.”
A center midfielder most of her life, Pat Vereb recruited Carpenter to play defense. Carpenter excelled on Vereb’s Century United teams, helping the club capture two state titles. Carpenter also is in her second season with the Beadling Soccer Club, which also won a state cup.
“As long as I was playing, it didn’t matter. I got used to it,” she said of being a critical link in the defense. “Coach Vereb trusts me back there. I have a size advantage against people and speed and knowledge of the game. I’m a pretty vocal player and I keep things organized.”
Carpenter helped the Lady Indians record 11 shutouts this season. She also ignited an offense that produced 89 goals this season.
In addition to her defensive skills, Vereb says that Carpenter possesses a strong soccer IQ. She knows where the ball should be and the pace of the game. Her best asset is her passing. “I have a good idea of where I want the ball to be and where it should be placed.”
Hence, it is no wonder she completes here career as the school’s top playmaker.
“It’s nice to be recognized and I am proud of the record. Absolutely,” she said. “But, it’s not secret we were going to score. The record may be because we scored so many goals. But, it’s not me really,” she continued. “Give credit to my teammates. It’s not you individually in soccer. I would not have gotten where I am without my teammates.”
Were it not for her parents, Carpenter would not be in soccer. Brad and Linda Carpenter signed their daughter up for the activity 14 years ago. “And, I fell in love with it,” she said. “You run the whole time and it’s so much fun and you use your whole body and it’s so competitive. The more I grew up, the more competitive it became.”
Next fall, Carpenter increases her competitiveness. She will play at West Virginia.
“When I went there I fell in love with the college, the coaches, the players and the team,” she said. “It’s also close enough that my parents can see me play. I just seemed like the perfect school for me.”
West Virginia is perfect for Carpenter’s academic path. A highest honors student, maintaining a 4.7 GPA, she plans to major in nursing. “No one in the family does it or is in the medical field so I might as well be the first,” she explained of her career ambition.
Once she completes her degree and her playing career, Carpenter plans utilize her speed and follow in her father’s footsteps. An avid runner, Brad Carpenter has participated in 20 marathons.
“I have some catching up to do,” she said.
This summer, Carpenter attempted to begin leveling the playing field. When she started training for a marathon, she was advised to stop. “Coach Vereb says that I have the rest of my life to do that. Focus on soccer and playing before running, he said. So I don’t run competitively because of the soccer season,” said Carpenter, who aspires to run in the Boston Marathon one day.
Carpenter does not look back on her high school days with regret. Rather, she relishes the success that she has experienced over the four years. Her highlight, she says, was winning the 2012 state championship because the Indians avenged their only loss of the season. “We beat Cumberland Valley in the final,” she said proudly.
“Actually though all four years have been a highlight. I’ve been blest to be on such talented teams and play under such a great coach for so long. It’s made me a better player and I just hope that I have helped the team by trying to do my job.”
Area coaches recognized the job Carpenter did for the Indians. Many noted her as their top choice during The Almanac’s survey for soccer all-stars. As a result, Carpenter has been recognized as Most Valuable Player for the 2014 season.
“It’s a great honor,” she said. “It makes all four years worth it. I guess it’s paid off.”