Cone and Jones, the River Valley Democrat-Gazette Girls Soccer Co-Newcomers of the Year, didn't just try -- they flourished. Despite both not playing soccer since they were children, they each made big impacts right away for their teams.
It didn't take Cone long to provide a jolt for Van Buren. Just nine games into her career, she with her left foot scored an equalizing goal against Farmington on the road in a 2-1 win for the team's first conference win of the season. It was clear from the start Van Buren got better with the addition of Cone.
"What a competitor," Van Buren girls soccer Coach Brian Dodson said. "She's a great athlete. The team loved her from day one. We dressed her out for her first conference game, and I was trying to figure out how to work her in the game after just one practice. With about seven minutes left, I told her to go play defense. As soon as she was out there, the ball found her feet, and she showed what she could do. From then on, I couldn't take her off the field. She was big time with her goals. That's what it's all about -- creating experiences."
Cone, who last played soccer in elementary school, later in the season added an insurance goal in the team's second conference win of the season against rival Alma. For her, it was only natural to add soccer to her long list of sports played at Van Buren after also playing basketball, volleyball, softball and track.
"I really wanted to stay in a spring sport," Cone said. "When I decided I wanted to play soccer, everybody was kind of shocked. I'm so glad I played because it was so much fun. Our basketball season ended on a Tuesday, and I asked to join soccer that Thursday. The team was so supportive of me. I love scoring. That first goal was so exciting. That Alma game -- they are a big rival. I'll remember that goal forever. That is one of the highlights of my entire high school career. It was a big game and everybody was into it. It was really special to me. Putting on the Van Buren jersey means everything to me. I just loved it."
After Cone and Jones guarded each other on the hardwood twice in their seasons, perhaps the last place they thought they'd see each other again was the soccer field. But that's exactly what happened with both picking up the sport. Cone as an attacker was again guarded by Jones as a defender. It turns out they have a lot in common with their competitiveness and fathers that were also standouts in the River Valley. Jones' dad, Craig, was the baseball coach at Greenwood and Fort Smith Southside after playing at Hackett. Cone's dad, Drew, is the athletic director at Van Buren before ... Click here to read full article
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