Lakeside's Kuder doesn't mind sharing the wealth

For Mary Kuder, it's more rewarding to record an assist than score a goal for her Lakeside High School girls soccer team.

Kuder, the Lions' leading scorer with 24 goals and 33 assists, is dangerous whether passing or shooting from her forward position.

It's just that she'd rather share the glory.

"I actually take more pride in assists than goals," said Kuder, a 17-year-old senior who has made a verbal commitment to play for soccer the University of Portland, a college powerhouse, next fall. "I think it's more fun to set people up for goals. I'll take the shot if it's there, but I don't try to force it, really.

"If we were up 4-0 on a 1-on-1, I'd probably pass it off."

Kuder will be in the thick of the battle when Lakeside (19-0) faces defending Class 3A champion Kennedy (20-0) in Friday's 4 p.m. state semifinal match at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood.

The Lancers, ranked eighth in one national poll, ended Lakeside's season in last year's quarterfinals, 4-1.

"It's nice to be the underdog for once," Kuder said. "There's lots less pressure on us that way. This game can definitely fall our way if we bring everything we have."

The Lions are going for their third state-title match appearance in four years. They won the 2000 title, 2-1 over West Valley (Yakima), and lost 2-1 in the finals to the same team in 2001.

"That first year when we won, I didn't know what was going on yet, but it was awesome," said Kuder, a three-sport athlete who has supplied an eye-popping 76 goals and 100 assists in four seasons with the Lions. "The (last) two years we got far, but didn't win. Another state title would be a great conclusion to our careers."

Lakeside already owns state crowns from 1996, 1996, 1998 and 2000.

The Lions' quiet field general is generally the focal point of opponent's defenses, and that's when Kuder recognizes the talent around her.

"I've always played on good teams," said Kuder, who also plays club soccer for Eastside F.C. "So, I'm very aware of the talent around me. I trust my teammates. We work on that in practice, that coming together.

"I know my teammates can finish just as well."

The proof is in the goal and assist totals. Lakeside has outscored opponents 103-17.

Kuder gets plenty of help from Lucy Strong (14 goals, 10 assists), Jessica Schott (11 goals, one assist), Zoe Victor (10 goals, two assists), Ai-Li Chiong (six goals, 10 assists), Kelly Kosco (nine goals, nine assists) and Lauren Whatley (eight goals and five assists).

Kuder was named Metro League MVP for the second year in a row this fall and is a four-time All-Metro first-team selection.

With not much to say off the field, Kuder lets her cleats do the talking. She combines the endurance of a marathon runner with a quick burst of sprinter's speed.

"I don't think any competitors like me once I get on the field," Kuder said with a laugh. "I have a 4-year-old brother, and people think I'm really nice to him, but refuse to lose to him in anything.

"I'm not evil. I just want to win."

In Lakeside's 5-2 state-quarterfinal road win over last year's 3A runner-up, Bellingham, Kuder figured in every goal with three scores and two assists.

"She's just a phenomenal athlete," said Lakeside coach Mark Kovats, who will step away as coach after his fifth season to spend more time with family. "If she played 10 different sports, she'd beat you in eight. She's a gifted athlete. She's in great condition and she can run forever."

The quiet-type gets attention with her kicks. Kuder changes defensive schemes single-handedly.

"The thing that's brought us so much success is that Mary doesn't try to do everything herself," Kovats said. "She's such a good teammate. It's almost like for every goal she has, she has two assists.

"Other teams focus all their energy on stopping Mary, so other players are the benefactor."