MCLEAN CAN THROW OFF OPPONENTS.

Byline: Jim Inghram Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Devin McLean is somewhat of a throwback, but it's her throw-in that has people talking.

McLean, a senior on the Valencia High girls' soccer team, missed her junior year to learn a trade. She earned her cosmetology license to ensure herself a future occupation.

She had to miss soccer her junior year to achieve that goal, but now she's back - with her trademark throw-in, and it's a thing of beauty.

McLean, who was a gymnast until the age of 11, observed a young player in a rec game perform an acrobatic throw-in and figured she could do it too. And she does, quite effectively.

``Basically, I just do a front handspring with the ball in my hands,'' McLean said.

The power she generates makes her throw-ins seem more like corner kicks and it has helped the Valencia offense.

``It's worked well for us,'' said Valencia coach Tony Scalercio. ``She handles all of the throw-ins in the attacking third of the field. She can throw it from the sideline to the center of the field, which is a great weapon to have. It puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the defense to have to clear the ball out.''

Teammates agree.

``It's exactly like a corner kick,'' said Michelle Bontempi, who plays defense along with McLean. ``It's gets the ball closer to the goal and gives us a lot more chances to score.''

Helping her team in any way possible pleases McLean, but just playing again has her most excited.

``I really missed it,'' McLean said of her year away. ``I was inside all the time, never had any exercise and all my other my friends were out there, so it was tough.''

But McLean stuck with the ROP (Regional Occupation Program) Cosmetology program and now has a valuable license that will allow her mobility and freedom in her future.

``It was something I really wanted to do,'' McLean said. ``I've always loved doing things like that. It's something for me to fall back on.''

Right now, McLean is not using her trade. She does offer free haircuts for family and friends, but her main emphasis now is soccer.

``She's taken on a leadership role with the team,'' Scalercio said. ``She's done a great job and has a great attitude. She has been a big inspiration and the other girls have rallied around her.''

McLean's play at stopper helped the Vikings capture the championship of the Lancaster tournament on Wednesday. She just missed making the all-tournament team, but Scalercio praised her play.

``They only allow so many players from one team,'' Scalercio said, ``but she definitely deserved a spot.''

Defense tends to get overlooked for the post-tournament team, but coaches and teammates notice.

``She plays right front of me,'' Bontempi said. ``So I see what kind of a job she does. She is really good at giving the ball to people and her kick is strong and far.''

As well as those head-over-heel throw-ins.

AT A GLANCE

--Name: Devin McLean

--School/Sport: Valencia High/girls' soccer

--Year: Senior

--Position: Stopper

--Height: 5-foot-3

--Born/place: March 19, 1982/Mission Hills

--Notable: Originally from the Santa Clarita Valley, but attended Durango High in Las Vegas as a freshman.

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Box: AT A GLANCE (see text)