Danielle Schneck volleys during a 3-1 loss at Robbinsville High School on Sept. 17, 2013. (Photo by Suzette J. Lucas.)
After playing different positions throughout her soccer career, Danielle Schneck finds her place on the field
When Danielle Schneck works as a cashier at Foley’s Shop ‘N Bag, she deals with a lot of different items during check out time—a head of lettuce, a box of tissues, a frozen pizza, a can of cat food, a bottle of clam juice.
But if Schneck is used to anything in her life, it’s variety—especially on the soccer field.
The Hamilton West senior is in her fourth varsity season as a starter, but this is the first one in which she has a job to call her own as the Hornets center-midfielder.
“She’s always had a utility role,” coach Anthony Tessein said. “If you save your rosters and look at them now, every year we had her in a different place. She’s been an outside back, she’s been a sweeper, she’s been a center forward.
“Her role was wherever we had a missing spot, or wherever we had a weak spot.”
This didn’t just occur from season to season. It ended up going from game to game.
“It’s just kind of been where ever we needed her she was able to play,” Tessein said. “That’s kind of the great thing about her. She can actually play any position on the field effectively.
“Maybe there is a position she excels at more than others, but I can put her anywhere right now, and she can do a good job of it. She understands the position. To me, that’s a soccer player. You can play anywhere on the field, except maybe goalie because that’s a whole other thing.”
While some players might complain about being everywhere, Schneck embraced the role and took it for what it was worth.
“I actually enjoyed it,” said Schneck, who is also a quality lacrosse player. “I’m thankful that I am skilled enough to play all different positions. I got to have a taste of what it’s like at every position, and see what area of the field I am most helpful at for my team.”
Schneck grew up playing basically defense and midfield, and got her first taste up front when she got to West.
She began watching big sister Meghan play and quickly gained interest in the sport. At age 5, she played in the Hamilton Recreation League and moved on to travel playing with the Hamilton Wildcats for several years.
When Tom Bayless created the Hibernian Fusion, she became one of the first players to join that team, where she went from midfield to defense.
“We played a flat back four,” said Schneck, who no longer plays travel. “I played outside back and occasionally in the center back.”
When Danielle arrived at West, she quickly made varsity but there were so many older players locked into positions that Tessein mixed and matched her. But with 12 seniors graduating last year, he needed someone with experience at one of the game’s key positions.
“She’ll be in control,” the coach said. “The attitude we’ve always taken with the seniors is they have to be leaders, so it’s your team, we’re putting it on your shoulders.
“Danielle and Stephanie Sparano (another four-year varsity starter) are our two captains. They’re obvious choices, and they’re good with everybody.”
“I’ve definitely had to step up my game and become a leader,” Schneck said. “This year there are only three seniors (Nicole Allen is the third), so all of us upperclassmen wanted to create a bond with the team. We wanted the team to be more like a family, which I have to say we are.
“Being a leader has made me more mature and made me realize that I have a duty to accomplish. I hope to never let my team down.”
Both Tessein and Schneck agree that Danielle can be a more effective player now that she is locked into one position.
“Hopefully it will help,” Tessein said. “We’re basically saying ‘This is your spot, this is your role, you don’t have to worry about anything else, this is what you’re doing.’”
Basically, she is doing what she enjoys, as Schneck feels she is a midfielder first and foremost.
“Knowing that I am set on playing center-mid, I can now focus on what I have to do as a midfielder, and what will help my team out the most,” she said. “I feel that my greater strength is in the midfield.
“That way I can basically play all the positions. I am able to step back and play defense, but also get into the offense.”
Indeed, her experience of playing everywhere should come in handy at center-mid, which is pretty much every position rolled into one. She needs to control the midfield, move into the attacking zone or drop back and play defense.
“At times, it can be tiring from running up and down the field constantly,” Schneck said. “But being able to be in the play most of the time is always fun. Also being a center-mid creates a lot of opportunities for the offense, and I like getting up into the plays.”
One of Schneck’s biggest strengths is her attitude on the field.
“She’s your typical high school girl,” Tessein said with a laugh. “She’s very outgoing, very intelligent. She gets distracted by some stuff but when it comes down to game time she’s always ready to go.”
No matter her position.
,
