Sydney Lanigan, West Plains, Sr.
On the pitch: Lanigan is a huge part of a tremendous start that has West Plains (10-1 overall) looking like anything but a first-year girls soccer program. Lanigan, who is one of only three seniors on the team, had an incredible performance last week scoring 11 goals with three assists while also helping the Lady Wolves win Class 4A Division of the Lubbock Kickoff Classic Tournament. Lanigan’s week started last Tuesday scoring four goals against Plainview during a 12-1 win. Then at the Lubbock Invite, where West Plains went 4-0 beating Lubbock Estacado, El Paso Riverside, Plainview, and the Frenship JV by a combined 29-0, Lanigan netted seven more goals with three assists. On the season, Lanigan is second on the team with 13 goals and is tied for the most assists on the squad with eight. eight assists.
Coach Amberlee Gerald: “Sydney has been incredible. From day one we saw her potential, the technique and the skill. We told her these are the leadership roles we want you to take on. It’s rare you find a forward that will play defense and she does it without hesitation. We’re lucky to have Sydney. I also couldn’t ask for a better start for this program. We love just getting the West Plains Soccer name out there. We are playing well and we’re running new plays we haven’t run in the past and adjusting as needed. It was nice to already win a tournament and get a trophy. That’s something we’re all working towards is more trophies.
Lanigan: “I feel like improved so much. I’m playing with a lot more confidence as well as a new leadership role. I feel like I needed to step up with not many seniors on the team. I just want to be there for my team and do anything we can to have a winning season. Getting off to this good a start is a little unexpected for the most part though we knew we had a lot of good talent on this team. We all have great chemistry and get along and that’s helped carry us. I’m just loving being a part of this program.”
About Lanigan
Favorite band or musician: Billie Eilish
Favorite social media platform: TikTok
Favorite athlete: Alex Morgan
Bet you didn’t know: She takes academics very seriously.
Parents: Derek and Maggie Lanigan