Christine Giles Ida Baker Bulldogs Junior Soccer

Teamwork and good passing have been staples to the success of the Ida Baker girls’ soccer team this season. It has allowed several different players to contribute offensively.

Bulldogs junior Christine Giles has taken advantage of that style of play and developed her own shooting skills to the point where she has become one of the area’s top goal scorers.

The Daily Breeze Female Athlete of the Week added three more goals in the Bulldogs’ 6-0 win over South Fort Myers in an LCAC crossover match last Friday, giving her a team high of 24 on the season.

Bulldogs coach Dave Trepkowski offers two primary reasons for Giles’ strong offensive performance.

“She’s allowing her teammates to help take control of the game. She’s not putting everything on her shoulders, which actually opens things up more,” he said. “The No. 2 reason is when it’s crunch time, she brings it to another level. She lights a fire.”

Giles, who was born in Cape Coral, has played soccer since age 4. As she put it, around the same time she learned to kick the ball. She followed in the footsteps of two of her older sisters who played the sport.

Giles has spent the past three seasons with the Bulldogs, including the last two at forward. She played midfield for many years before a coach on her U19 Florida Premier Team suggested she switch positions.

“I don’t really know why,” Giles said reflecting back on the position change. “My coach just said I shouldn’t be a midfielder.”

Giles has proven to be a good fit, both setting up and finishing plays. She had a strong sophomore year as the Bulldogs advanced to the regionals for the first time. She mainly tried to set up her more experienced teammates, evident in her team-high 21 assists.

The opposite has occurred this season as several of younger players have been feeding her the ball.

“In the past few years I’ve been more about the assists,” she said, “I’m still passing the ball, but now when I have a shot, I’m going to take it.”

Honorable mentions:

Mariah Fernandez, senior, North Fort Myers soccer: Fernandez tore up East Lee County for five goals in last Friday’s LCAC crossover match.

Cici Ward, senior, Bishop Verot basketball: Ward recorded her fifth straight double figure game with 15 points in the Vikings’ 70-64 loss to Cardinal Mooney last Friday.