BIG AND STRONG, SIMMS ISN'T SATISFIED.Byline: Heather Gripp Gripp talking raven, beloved pet of half-wit Barnaby Rudge. [Br. Lit.: Dickens Barnaby Rudge] See : Birds Daily News Staff Writer Heather Simms Heather Alicia Simms (born 25 February 1970) is an American actress who has done parts on the Law & Order television series and the computer and video game as Denise Robinson. might be the only person not satisfied with her performance on the soccer field. ``She's probably her toughest critic,'' Agoura coach Kim Warren said. ``She expects a lot out of herself. It's rare the Agoura High sophomore midfielder
In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). comes up short on the field, though. She is one of the Chargers' quietest players, but her play speaks volumes. She made varsity as a freshman and entered Friday's game against Royal tied for the team lead in goals with six. ``She's really, really strong and she's so versatile,'' Warren said. ``She has great defensive skills and good offensive skills; she contributes both ways. I could use her at striker or at defense. I could put her at any position except goal.'' That's why Simms is trusted with the center midfield mid·field n. Sports 1. The section of a playing field midway between goals. 2. Players whose usual positions are in the midfield. mid position. ``She plays one of the most important positions on the team,'' said senior teammate Mary Stuart, who added that Simms fit in right away. ``It's a position people have a lot of respect for. She's a big part of the team.'' The 15-year-old's intensity is just as high as her skills. ``I just try to bring hard work and some spirit and energy to the team,'' Simms said. ``She's really hard on herself,'' Stuart said. ``She expects a lot out of herself and you can see she gets down on herself, but she knows she can't too much because she won't play as well.'' Simms took up soccer 10 years ago. Now she centers her life around the sport. When she's not competing for the Chargers she's busy playing year-round with her club team, the Valley United Earthquakes. She also plays softball softball, variant of baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Invented (1888) in Chicago as an indoor game, it was at various times called indoor baseball, mush ball, playground ball, kitten ball, and, because it was also played by women, ladies' , but is considering giving it up to devote more time to soccer. ``It's a fun experience,'' Simms said. ``I like it better than softball. It's more interesting, there's always something going on.'' Simms was forced to miss more than half of last year's high school season with a knee injury she described as ``a growing problem.'' The pain is gone now and the Chargers don't detect any sign of weakness in her play. Her physical strength made for an easy comeback Comeback Australian breed of wool sheep, bred by crossing Merino with Corriedale, Polwarth or Zenith sheep; wool is 21 to 25 microns. It is a registered breed, but the term is more commonly used in the sense of a type of sheep produced by crossbreeding a crossbred Merino back to Merino. and is part of what prevents her from being intimidated in·tim·i·date tr.v. in·tim·i·dat·ed, in·tim·i·dat·ing, in·tim·i·dates 1. To make timid; fill with fear. 2. To coerce or inhibit by or as if by threats. by older players. ``For a female athlete, wow, she is so strong,'' Warren said. ``She's not that big, but she's built. When she goes into a tackle, she's likely to knock 'em down and come away with the ball. She's very, very coordinated, very balanced.'' The Chargers dropped to 6-4-2 and 1-1-1 in the Marmonte League The Marmonte League is a high school sports league primarily made up of schools from Ventura County. The Marmonte Leauge is part of the CIF Southern Section. Click here to view the league schedule. after Wednesday's loss to Westlake, but believe a playoff play·off also play-off n. Sports 1. A final game or series of games played to break a tie. 2. A series of games played to determine a championship. Noun 1. berth is within reach. ``I think we're doing pretty well,'' Simms said. ``We've had some close games that could have gone either way. ``If we play hard and play with all our heart, we can win it.'' CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color) Agoura High's Heather Simms leads the Chargers in scoring - and desire to improve - in pursuit of a playoff berth. Phil McCarten/Daily News |
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