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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 10, 2006 Crenshaw endures hard times as coach Lu Crenshaw knew she would have to endure some adversity as a high school head coach. It goes with the territory. But Crenshaw, the girls soccer coach at North Medford High, never imagined losing one of her best all-around players to a season-ending knee injury, her all-star goalie to a season-long suspension and then losing back-to-back conference games in shootouts. All in the span of one week, no less. Just when Crenshaw thought her streak of bad luck was over, the team bus broke down on the way back from Eugene following a 1-0 shootout win over Sheldon. "Had we lost that match, on top of everything else, I think I might have gone crazy," says Crenshaw, whose team was stranded on Interstate 5 for 90 minutes on Sept. 30. Advertisement The 25-year-old fitness trainer is breathing a little easier this week. The Black Tornado followed its razor-thin win over Sheldon with dominant 4-0 victories over Grants Pass and Roseburg and has moved into second place in the Southwest Conference with a 4-2 record. North Medford is 5-3-2 overall. "When the world came crashing down on us, I told our girls it was either going to break us down completely or we were going to come out the other side and be a better team because of it," Crenshaw says. "It's tough losing two of your best players and then suffering those gut-wrenching losses. "But I've stressed all along that we had to hang together and love one another and play as a team. And that's what got us through these difficult times." Although losing sophomore halfback Jessica Reid to injury was a major setback because it forced Crenshaw to shuffle her lineup, losing goalie Megan Ross was an even bigger blow. Ross was one of the state's top goalies — she had allowed just one goal in North Medford's first four matches — and Crenshaw didn't have a true backup. But freshman Kendra McMillen has stepped in and dutifully filled the void. She hasn't allowed a goal in three straight matches. "Keeper isn't her favorite position, but she was willing to step in there and help us," says Crenshaw of McMillen. "She's done a great job, and our entire defense has picked it up a notch." Anchoring that airtight defense is junior Ashley Chambers, who moved from center midfielder to sweeper as part of Crenshaw's realignment process. "That girl can play any position on the field," Crenshaw says of Chambers. Offensively, all-state senior midfielder Alex Batzer has led the charge. Crenshaw, who was a standout striker for the Black Tornado in the late 1990s and went on to play at St. Mary's College in Moraga, Calif., admits the North job has been more difficult than she anticipated. Player losses aside, the team was slow to get untracked offensively as it learned a new style of play. "I've haven't felt any pressure as far as people being openly critical, but I want to be the best at what at do," Crenshaw says. "I know the history of this program and what it represents. "I know people were thinking early on that I was too defensive-minded because we weren't scoring many goals, but it was a matter of the girls getting accustomed to what I want done out there. I stress more ball control and passing than they were used to and it just takes time to learn a different style of play." The North Medford girls also have learned to endure Crenshaw's intense personality. "I'm very intense and passionate, and I probably intimidated some of them at first," Crenshaw admits. "But they know me now. They know I'm just trying to help them play better." An outwardly tough person, the team's journey down Adversity Lane has caused Crenshaw to loosen up. "I'm a different person in so many ways from just a couple of months ago," she says. "I'm letting the girls see me. We have laughed and cried together." u KUDOS TO THE CRATER High boys and Ashland High girls cross country teams, who top the Class 5A state polls. Teams from the Rogue Valley are represented in each of the 6A, 5A and 4A polls. In addition to the top-ranked aforementioned squads, the North Medford boys are ranked fifth in the 6A poll and the Tornado girls are 10th. In the 5A boys poll, Klamath Union and Ashland are third and 10th, respectively, while in the 5A girls poll Crater and Klamath Union rank fifth and sixth. The 4A polls find Hidden Valley third and Phoenix 10th among the boys and Hidden Valley fourth and Phoenix seventh in the girls' rankings. u CASCADE CHRISTIAN HIGH officials are bringing in extra seating to their home field at the V.A. Domiciliary in White City this week. It's a good thing because the place figures to be packed Friday night when the No. 2-ranked Challengers (4-1) host fifth-ranked Bonanza (4-1) in a game that will likely decide the Southern Cascade League championship. Cascade Christian athletic director Dave Fennell estimates the added bleachers will provide seating for 600 fans, nearly double what the facility held a year ago. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com