The ball stops here

The Bravette soccer team has a secret weapon in Jessica Corpron. Flathead's diminutive defender has been compared to a stealth fighter - quiet but amazingly powerful.

Corpron, a 17-year-old senior, is probably less of a jet fighter than she is the China Wall on wheels. She is the main reason opposing attackers usually leave the field empty handed - shut down and shut out.

Eight of 12 teams this season learned the frustrating futility of trying to score against the Bravettes. The girls allowed just four goals all year while scoring 48, and no team scored more than once against the undefeated juggernaut Flathead became.

Because offensive fireworks draw the most attention, Corpron is accustomed to being a quiet player making big plays.

"I've gotten used to the lack of attention," Corpron said.

"But I know when I make the save, and my coach and teammates let me know. I have to define glory for myself."

Corpron said a defensive role has always fit her the best. She enjoys the pressure of being the last person between the ball and Bravette goalkeeper Alyssa Younkin.

"She is not showy, but people need to know how many goals she saves and how hard she works," forward Jelisa Guy said.

"We can always count on her."

Corpron is a smart and patient defender. Her field vision and ability to read passes usually put her in the right spot to make the stop. By the time the opposing team gets into her territory, she already has her angles locked and is on the move.

And on the rare occasion a player gets by her?

"Well, I hope Alyssa gets it," she said.

To prepare for a game, Corpron uses focus and a small pre-game ritual.

"I'm always nervous, but I try to hide it," she confessed.

"I take some time and set goals for myself. And I always put my shin guards on the same way and in the same order."

Because Corpron and the other defenders have earned the team's trust, coach Scott Warnell can take some extra chances with the offense.

"She means a lot to our team," Warnell said.

"She heads up our defense and is the last player back. Having her has allowed us at certain times to use three defenders instead of four. We feel confident and comfortable knowing she won't get beat."

With the adjustments on defense, the Bravettes can concentrate more players on offense. The girls have played with increased confidence this season, and have posted higher scores to prove it.

The Bravettes are a run-and-gun team that leans more towards finesse than brute strength. But other teams have learned that the lean, blonde defender is not someone they can just run over.

"I don't really like to be physical," Corpron said. "But I'll stand my ground and do what needs to be done."

At a recent home game against Big Sky, the Missoula forwards often put their shoulders down and ran right into her. The collisions were rough, but in the end, Corpron was usually sending the ball back up to her teammates. Big Sky never scored.

"A misconception is that she can be pushed around," Warnell said. "She's not real big, but she's physical and she's tough to knock off the ball. She's not scared to get physical with anybody."

Playing with the defensive prowess Corpron has doesn't happen overnight. She has enough athletic ability to get by on, but she has also been dedicated to improving through hard work.

During the high school season, she practices for at least two hours a day after school. The team also gathers for spaghetti dinners the night before a game.

Once the Bravettes are done for the year, Corpron plays in a winter league and works out almost every day. She plays select in the spring and for a women's league in the summer.

Free time is a luxury Corpron rarely gets to enjoy. Before her day starts at school, she gets up and works mornings at a coffee shop. In spite of her crazy schedule, she carries a 3.75 gpa.

Soccer has been in Copron's blood since second grade. A friend introduced her to the game, and she's stuck with it. Her parents have since logged thousands of miles driving her to Canada, Washington, Idaho and California for her year-round play.

"My parents are awesome," Corpron said. "They are my No. 1 fans. They go to my games and take me to tournaments."

Now, soccer is a release, an escape from crowded days of employment and homework. Corpron's enjoyment of the game helps her to play with a purpose and accomplish her goals. Soccer has also taught her many life lessons.

"Soccer has taught me a lot of patience," she said. "And to be strong and really go for it. Put everything you have into everything you do."

Copron seems to have as many fans off the field as she does on it. Her teammates, coach, friends and parents all speak highly of her.

"She's a very good listener," teammate and best friend Mikenna Maroney said. "And I talk a lot."

When Corpron isn't playing soccer, working or attending school, she likes to hang out with friends, swim or watch Super Troopers - a movie her and her friends have a strange connection with.

As one of the captains on the team, Corpron feels more than just the pressure of sprinting forwards.

"I have to be a leader and be strong for everyone," she said. "I have to be positive and strong on and off the field."

One of her roles as a captain has been relaying messages between players and coaches. She is the Bravettes' defender, peacekeeper and mediator.

"She has been a player that others could come to and talk to with concerns," Warnell said. "She is comfortable relaying those problems; she's been phenomenal that way. She keeps her wits about her when things get hectic."

The qualities that Corpron embodies make her a dependable leader, something the girls will need at state this weekend.

The Bravettes are the No. 1 seed in the West, but will have to get by Bozeman for the title. Bozeman also went undefeated this season. But the girls should be used to responding to pressure.

The team has already defeated Helena Capital, last year's state champion and earned revenge against Helena High. The Bengals team was able to score the most points against Flathead last year.

Her mother, Roni, actually predicted an undefeated season at the beginning of the year, and she has predicted a state title for Flathead.

"We've been waiting for this day, for this state tournament," Roni said.

The girls are getting edgy for state, though. After losing in the playoffs to Sentinel last year, the girls are anxious to prove they have the will and determination to become No. 1.

"Being undefeated kind of scares me going in to state," Corpron said. "We have the mentality that we can't be beat. We might be overconfident, but we are a good, strong team."

Whatever the outcome at state, Corpron already has her college plans mapped out. She hopes to play defense for Whitworth's soccer team and major in physical therapy. Whitworth's coach has told her she is on the roster if she wants to play.

"Everything has gone by so fast," Corpron said. "I remember being a freshman and being scared of the seniors. Now I'm that senior. It makes me sad that this is our last year and we'll probably go our separate ways."

But she has four years of varsity memories to console her, especially bus rides that included card games and one unmentionable game of Truth or Dare. And her future looks bright. After she graduates, she would like to return to Montana and open up her own practice.

"She's just a smart, kind, all-American girl," her mom said. "She is an amazing person. I want to be just like her when I grow up."

Sports reporter Mike Richeson may be reached at 758-4463 or by e-mail at sports@dailyinterlake.com