Richwoods soccer coach Tony DeMoss had to do something.

His team was giving up too many goals going into its game against Mid-State 6 rival Peoria Notre Dame April 21.

So, in a risky effort to solidify his team’s defense, he moved prolific goal scorer Nicole Strube to the back line.

Richwoods lost, 3-1, but DeMoss liked what he saw from Strube, his newfound sweeper on defense.

“She knew the position. She knew what she had to do back there. I didn’t have to tell her anything,” he said. “She’s a terrific player. I thought she played an outstanding game on defense. That was a lot to ask from her and she did a great job.”

Strube, a sophomore who was among the team leaders in goals and assists last year, did not complain about the move to defense. DeMoss said he will probably continue to move Strube around to different positions for the rest of the year, since she is so versatile.

“We’re a young team, and we’re all frustrated by the way the season is going (3-6 record). Nicole is handling it pretty well,” he said. “For a sophomore, she’s a very mature player, and she’s one of our leaders.”

DeMoss said Strube matured quickly last year, and he relied on her more than he usually does with freshman players.

“I put a lot of responsibility on her,” he said.

Strube credits a lot of the seniors on last year’s team for helping her play at a top level as a freshman.

“Kelly Russell, and all the seniors helped me a lot,” she said. “They encouraged me to make runs at the net and get involved in the game.”

Strube started playing soccer in first grade, but she was far from a natural talent.

“I was horrible,” she said, laughing. “I liked the game, but I was not a good player.”
She said her mother, Lisa, and her uncle (Richard Maloof) helped her to become a better player in those early years, and they offered valuable encouragement.

“My mom has supported me so much,” she said. “I wouldn’t still be playing if it wasn’t for her passion for helping me along the way.”

Soccer is a full-time sport for Strube, who plays in travel leagues in the summer.

She said she would like to earn a scholarship to play college soccer after she graduates from Richwoods.

She plans to study biology and education.

“I’d like to teach biology. I like labs, and studying bacteria, and analyzing scientific stuff.”

She has a long way to go before college, though.

For now, she said she is focused on salvaging the disappointing season for the Lady Knights.

“We have some good players, especially Courtney (Holtz). We’re all working very hard. There are a lot of games left, and we just want to go out and win as many as we can.”