FAIRMONT —
The East Fairmont girls’ soccer team was introduced with something special this season — they had a good team, but something was missing.
The Bees had Nicole Licata, who had been a star for three previous seasons, but at times, she was the main scorer for EFHS. She did it all — provide defense, make assists and drill crucial game-winning shots.
“There’s always been a lot of pressure on Nicole because she has talent,” said head coach Mark Harvath. “There’s been a lot of pressure on her to produce and carry the team. That’s a lot to put on anyone. Having someone to share that burden really helped her a lot.”
But in comes Kristin Busund from Norway.
At first, Busund fell under the radar — she was from a different country, she wanted to study in the American school system and she hadn’t played organized soccer.
“All that I knew about Kristin when she came (to East Fairmont) was that one of her activities was that she played soccer,” Harvath said. “I had no idea that her play was going to turn into what it turned into.
“The first time that I saw her play, I thought to myself, ‘She might be OK.’ I thought that she would fit in with the rest of us,” he added. “We’re not a team of superstars, but we’re a collective team of pretty good kids and some decent players ... we have to win with the contribution from everyone. I thought (Busund) was just like everybody else and she’d fit right in — well, obviously I was wrong.”
Like any team members that are becoming familiar with one another, it takes a few games before players rise to dominance.
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Related Photos
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Nicole Licata (left) and Kristin Busund (right) have paired up to create a season that will last through the ages. They combined for 62 goals and 27 assists. Busund finished the season with 37 goals and 15 assists, while Licata notched 25 goals and 12 assists. PHOTOS BY TAMMY SHRIVER
Leaving a mark
Bees’ Licata, Busund ignite for memorable season
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