Fairview's versatile Katie Scott stars in USA U-15 girls soccer team's Concacaf title run
Katie Scott was 10 years old when she first kicked a soccer ball in Matt Mountford's presence.
Other shots followed throughout her first practice session with the former coach of the Mercyhurst North East women's program and the Erie Commodores.
It was Scott's initial attempt, though, that remains vivid for Mountford.
“She struck the ball with power that I've never seen ― boy or girl ― in a 10-year-old,” he said. “The power on her strike was genuinely harder than mine. It was truly incredible.”
Scott's two-a-day sessions with Mountford, now 29, continued through this past winter. It was then the Fairview freshman was invited to try out for the United States team that would participate in the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) Girls' Under-15 Championships.
Scott not only made the squad, but she also helped the Americans win that biannual tournament. They defeated Canada 4-1 in Sunday's final at the Hillsborough County Sportsplex in Tampa, Florida.
“Playing in the championship match and hearing the fans chanting 'USA,' that's when it all really hit home,” Scott said. “Winning that game was among the best moments of my life.”
More moments like that one are possible for Scott, according to Mountford.
“This (tournament) was just the beginning,” he said. “Katie's going to be a superstar. The conversation is not going to be if she's going to make a national team. We're going to have conversations about Katie being at the level of (American star) Alex Morgan.
“I truly believe if Katie stays healthy, we'll be having those kinds of conversations. No problem at all.”
Tampa tournament talk
Scott didn't play for Fairview's girls soccer last season, nor does she expect to for its upcoming one.
Instead, Scott plans to return to action for the Internationals Soccer Club of Medina, Ohio. Her performance with that elite youth travel program, combined with the workouts with Mountford, helped her claim a roster spot for the Americans' appearance at Tampa.
The U.S., as was expected, began Concacaf's pool play with routs of Puerto Rico and Jamaica by a combined score of 23-0.
Scott, as a midfielder, scored once and assisted on three other goals when they blanked Jamaica 11-0.
The Americans concluded pool play with a win over Canada. Coach Katie Schoepfer moved Scott to forward, her natural position, during their 1-0 victory.
“The first match (versus Canada) was actually the more emotional one,” Scott said. “We were winning 1-0 at the half. We kept that lead, but we definitely had way more (scoring) chances. We couldn't finish them. The last 10 minutes were scary. We were just defending and trying to get the ball out (of the Americans' zone).
“We didn't play our best, but I think that's why were super prepared to face them in the final.”
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The U.S. advanced that far via a 6-0 victory over the Dominican Republic in the semifinals. Schoepfer designated Scott as the team's captain for that match, an honor she said was unexpected and unbelievable.
Schoepfer, who played for Penn State in the late 2000s, also raved about coaching Scott in a video interview provided to the Erie Times-News.
"There's not many kids at this age who can play multiple positions, who can start and be highly successful at those positions at a national team level," Schoepfer said. "She's a Swiss Army knife for us, and off the field her maturity level is unbelievable."
Scott seeks next U.S. berth
Mountford watched Scott's play from afar. He followed the Americans' matches online during a trip home to England.
Mountford and Scott each returned to western Pennsylvania on Monday. They texted each other ahead of their flights and expected to speak in person this week.
Scott also said she plans to resume workouts with Mountford in conjunction with her return to the Internationals.
“I am so lucky to have him (as a) coach,” Scott said. “He was training my brother (Nick), so that's how I knew him. We'd go early morning (practices) before school and then again after school for two-a-days. He helped me train through COVID-19, when I couldn't go to Cleveland. Even off the field, he's given me tips on nutrition and sleep.
“He's helped me so much on this journey.”
If Scott has her way, the next significant stop on her soccer journey will be another spot on a U.S. roster. It would be for the country's appearance in the Concacaf Girls' Under-16 Championships.
Tryouts and practices start this coming fall.
“There are truly not enough superlatives to describe Katie,” Mountford said. “Obviously, her talent is exceptional. But as everyone knows, talent is nothing without hard work. The level of commitment and sacrifice that she's given is unrivaled.
“All the compliments that come her way are more than deserved.”
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNcopper.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Fairview's Katie Scott helps USA girls soccer team win U-15 title
