Barrett helped build
Central’s dynasty

By Joe Mason
Times Sports Editor

Jaclyn Barrett hopes her choice of a college is as successful as her choice of a high school.
Barrett, a Rhawnhurst resident, decided four years ago to try something different. Most of her friends were going to local high schools, but Barrett choose Central.
"I heard it was a great school and it has a great reputation," Barrett said. "Plus, I was used to my neighborhood, so I wanted something different. It’s in the city and I wanted to go there, just to see what it’s like."
Next year, the Central High senior will attend Drexel University. And when she gets there, she’ll have tons of stories to tell.
It’s likely that many of those stories will be about soccer.
Barrett has been a four-year starter on the Lancers’ soccer team.
As the sweeper, she was named to the All-Public First Team during her sophomore and junior years, and is hoping she’ll be on the team for a third straight year when this season’s squad is named.
But more than any individual honor, Barrett is most proud of her team accomplishments.
During her four years at the Olney school, the Lancers have competed each year in the Public League championship game.
And since suffering a tough overtime defeat to George Washington High School during her freshman year, Barrett and her mates have gone on to claim three straight Public League soccer crowns.
With the Public League’s move to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association two years ago, the Lancers also have competed in the state tournament.
They have lost both of their games in the PIAA state competition, but unlike many of the Public League sports teams, the Lancers have been very competitive.
On May 30, they lost to Lancaster Mennonite, 1-0, in the first round of the PIAA Class AAAA State tournament when Lancaster scored with 18 seconds remaining in the second overtime period.
It wasn’t the perfect ending for Central, which finished the year with a record of 14-3-2. But it was still a pretty good season.
"This was great, it was better than last year," said Barrett, whose team fell to the same Lancaster Mennonite squad by the same 1-0 score in last year’s state playoff game. "I think we were more prepared this year. I think we played better this year, and I think we had a better season overall this year.
"Last year was fun, it was amazing because it was our first time in the playoffs," she added. "But this year, we came out and gave it our all and fell short. There’s a little disappointment because we wanted to win, but we’re not sad. We’re happy that we played so well this year."
Barrett is used to being the unsung hero of the Lancers. Although she has seen plenty of action, she has received few kudos beyond the praise of teammates and coaches because she’s not the player who’s scoring the goals.
There aren’t many stats for sweepers, so it’s hard for Barrett’s accomplishments to be noted.
However, her coach knows how valuable she has been to the success of the Lancers’ program.
"Jaclyn one of those kids who show up every day and play hard . . . you never have to worry about her," said Central coach Paul Metzgar. "She always gives one-hundred percent."
She also has been a pleasant surprise at an important if unglamorous position. Barrett is capable of playing in the midfield, just as she’s capable of being a goal scorer when used as an attacker.
But during Barrett’s freshman year, Metzgar needed someone to take over as the team’s sweeper, so he called on her.
She turned out to be a strong addition to the Lancer backfield and has solidified the position for four seasons.
"In the first or second game of her freshman year, one of my defenders didn’t show up for the game," Metzgar recalled. "I was putting in a new system, and from that day on, she was the defensive quarterback for the defense. It’s not an easy defense, and she helps me teach it."
The leadership role is something Barrett takes very seriously. She was one of three captains for the Lancers. But when it came to being the primary leader, that role belonged to Barrett.
"I love to have fun, but I felt it was my role to be the one who said, ‘Guys, let’s get back to work,’" Barrett said. "I was the bad guy when we needed to calm things down and get back to focusing on soccer.
"I think the team understood, because they wanted to win, and I rarely ever had to be like that . . . just once or twice," she added. "I loved being a captain, but being a captain on this team, that’s pretty easy. We all love soccer and we all want to win as a team."
Next year, Barrett hopes to continue her soccer career at Drexel for the Dragons, but she’ll have to do so as a walk-on. That’s OK with her. Barrett was an unknown commodity when she walked into Central four years ago, so she doesn’t mind a challenge.
"I think it will be hard, but I just want a chance to play," said Barrett, who wants to major in international business. "I learned a lot while playing with a great team at Central, and I hope that helps me next year when I try to play Division 1 soccer." ••
Sports editor Joe Mason can be reached at 215-354-3035 or jmason@phillynews.com