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An affinity for midfield
It is clear that being a midfielder suits Claudia Paz well.
She said she likes sending balls behind the defense to set up scoring opportunities for her teammates. Check.
She said she likes reversing the ball and switching the field. Check and check.
She said she likes to play in the middle of the field. Obvious check.
She said she likes to fight for 50-50 balls. Again, check.
“And I like to shoot from so far out.”
What’s that now?
“I like to shoot from so far out.”
How far?
“Far.”
What about shooting from close? You don’t like that?
“No. Far. Far is better.”
Paz, a member of the undefeated Putnam Science Academy girls’ soccer team, believes that all goals are pretty but goals from outside the 18 are much more beautiful. If she has a shot on goal from inside the 18, she will certainly take it. But if the defender leaves her a little breathing room farther back, it’s bombs away.
“They’re not usually bad shots,” Paz said. “Some are good shots and some are not so good. The ones that go in, those are good shots.”
Plenty of them have been good then, as the native of Madrid, Spain, has recorded four of her five goals from outside the box this season. Shooting from that far out obviously gives the keeper more time to react to the ball and judge it properly.
“But with her power and placement,” said Mustangs coach Jen Bennett, “it doesn’t matter. She has a beautiful shot, and can place the ball in the top corner and goalies are going to have a very hard time saving it because of the power that she puts behind it. And she does it all the time.”
Paz is making up for some lost time. She didn’t play until mid-October, PSA’s fourth game, because of a groin injury. While she was out she dedicated herself to physical therapy, and supporting her teammates any way she could. Paz never missed a single training session or game, remaining on the sideline and offering encouragement, even though “it was so hard not to play and not to be out on the field with my new teammates.”
Bennett was more than happy to get her back for the second of back-to-back games with a physical Winchendon team that turned into a 10-0 win. Bennett saw glimpses of the talents as Paz kept herself busy and entertained on the sideline during practice, demonstrating strong technical skills.
“When Claudia was out at the beginning of the season I couldn’t wait to get her on the field,” she said. “I could just tell she was a game changer, and she hasn’t disappointed. She is a force in the midfield. She’s a great player, very unselfish. She’s strong on the ball, wins tackles in the midfield, and distributes the ball wonderfully.
“I’m very happy to have her back on the field.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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