'Unsung talent'

Shean doesn't get much recognition as a defensive player, but is an invaluable part of team

JENN ACKERMAN / staff photographer

The old saying goes, "Offense wins games, but defense wins championships." Another truth about athletics is that the offense receives the limelight and glamour, and the defensive is given less press and prestige. The turf at Bridgeforth stadium plays host to a prime example of this unspoken truth, red-shirt senior defender Ryan Shean.

Shean exhibits the ideal qualities that should be strived for by any athlete. "Ryan is one of those players who has been doing a lot of work, but due to her position, she really doesn't pick up the awards and recognitions due to her statistics," coach Irene Horvat said. "It's one of those unsung positions playing defense. She's an amazing athlete who is very coach-able and a great leader."

Shean said she felt when she first entered the program, her talents weren't as sharp as she wanted them to be or as they needed to be.

"I came into the program raw," Shean said. "I was an athlete who fine-tuned her skills by working hard. After my red-shirt year, I felt on an equal level as everyone else. My explosive speed and size, with my big reach, are my best attributes."

The studio art major has been a fixture in the Dukes defense for the past four seasons. This year, the team co-captain has led the Dukes to an 11-5 mark, and the squad currently is ranked eighth in the nation.

"Ryan is a fifth year who understands how things work," assistant coach Sally Northcroft said. "We set up our team defense to play the ball back into the middle. She's the one who cleans up and steps up. Because of her speed and agility and skill on the ball, she has done a great job denying opponents any serious attack."

The left back from Medfield, Mass. was three time all-league in high school. She was a Boston Globe all scholastic and Senior 60 All-Star.

Shean has also been a Colonial Athletic Association Scholar Athlete and last season improved her resume by tacking on 2001 All-CAA second team honors.

"When I was in high school I was set upon being an All-American in college," Shean said. "Now, in my fifth year I strive to become a better leader. I've set aside personal goals somewhere along the line. I accept being a leader with open arms. Whether it is being the team clown, or the disciplinarian, I try to stay on the same level as my teammates."

Horvat said she feels Shean's positive attitude on the team has been contagious this season.
Horvat said, "We (as a coaching staff) set the challenge to all of our seniors to set a new standard this season. Ryan has had some standout games this year where she has been the difference (between a win and a loss). I expect the team to continue to feed off her energy, her leadership and continue to be competitive.

Northcroft said, "Ryan is the true testament to hard work and a work ethic. She has worked hard and gotten better every single year. In terms of an athlete, and taking it all into the future she will see huge rewards for all the small, unspoken things she did."

With four games left on the slate, including a heated rivalry with No. 3 University of Maryland next week, the Dukes look to finish up the season strong. JMU will strive to make a charge into the CAA championships and accomplish their preseason goal of making it to the NCAA tournament.