The marlin is an incredibly fast billfish with a spear-like snout. The largest of the species is found in the Atlantic Ocean.
Namesake Casey Marlin also dazzles with her speed and unleashes venomous shots resembling spear-like missiles at opposition goalkeepers. She can be found in the fall on the soccer fields of southern Indiana wreaking havoc amongst hapless defenses.
This week, the 16-year-old striker brought her season tally to 26 and her high school career total to 56, breaking the Providence school record of 50 held jointly by Alix Hughes (2006 graduate) and current Manchester College leading scorer Laura Jenkins (2009).
And she’s still a junior.
“I wanted to break one record at Providence, and this is kind of like a way for me to be remembered after I leave,” says Marlin. “I don't have a number that I'm specifically aiming for by senior year; I just really wanted to beat it this year.”
Casey Marlin (right), with sister Caley. Photo by Kevin McGloshen, Evening News & The Tribune.
In fact, she will get a chance to break a second record on Monday when the Lady Pioneers line out against New Albany in the sectional quarterfinals for the third successive year. Jenkins’ season best of 27 (set in 2008) is looking a little bit shaky right about now, and could be broken post-season by one of her biggest admirers.
“Laura has actually been a huge influence on the way I play,” says Marlin. “I've always looked up to her, so it means so much that I can be recognized with her.”
After starting her playing days with local girls’ club Net-Surfers, which she says “definitely” had an impact on her, Marlin moved onto Javanon.
“My coach, Ntando Tsambo, taught me how to strike the ball with all my strength,” she says, “Every day at practice we would work on foot skills, and that made me a lot better. I learned how to dribble at speed with control, which is very important.”
Marlin is now part of Mockingbird ’94, where team mates include a couple of high school rivals in Floyd Central’s talented junior trio Taylor Patty, Lauren Haley and Rebekah Burgan.
She says that the Lady Highlanders – winners of the sectional championship for the past four years -- are “always very good” about marking her. It goes without saying that if Floyd Central, New Albany or anyone else in the nine team sectional have designs on this year’s title, they may have to come up with a way to stop the diminutive (about 5’ 3” but physically strong) goal getter.
The bad news for the opposition is that Marlin believes she’s learned to cope with the receipt of special attention.
“It is harder when a team man-marks me, but my coach (Dave Smith) has taught me to use my speed to my advantage,” she says. “I do like to think that I fool defenders by my appearance. I look small, but I can be pretty tough.”
Marlin is acutely aware, however, that without her team mates -- who have been dubbed the “Kick Chicks” -- she wouldn’t be breaking any records. On Wednesday, the Lady Pioneers – with a goal from Marlin -- defeated Louisville’s Mercy Academy 3-1 to end its regular season 14-1-1, the best in the school’s history.
“I definitely couldn’t do it without my team,” she says. “They know where and when to pass to me when I make runs. Lauren Holland (junior) especially knows every move I make before I make it. We have great chemistry together on the field - our whole team does.”
Others she is happy to be playing with, as opposed to playing against, are junior Kelsey Rogers and sophomore Leah Mattingly.
“I'm grateful that Kelsey is on my team that's for sure,” she says. “I think she's one of the best defenders in the area. It's very difficult to get past her, and the same with Leah.”
However, the one who makes her play her hardest, she says, is her sister Caley, a senior.
“Caley is an amazing player,” she says. “I am very lucky to be able to play with her. We can be honest with each other and help each other on the field, although we do argue sometimes!”
Providence coach Dave Smith says he expects the college offers to be flooding in for Marlin when she hits the showcase circuit this fall and next spring.
“Casey is a very unselfish player, often man-marked or at the very least given special attention by the defense,” says Smith. “This makes her accomplishments that much more impressive.
“These are legitimate goals scored, and never do we allow her to drop in five to 10 in one match against a lesser opponent.”
Marlin is level headed about a prospective college soccer career.
“I would definitely love to play in college,” she says. “I'm not sure if I would be ready to play at a Division 1 school, but I've got some time to think about it.”
And some time to wreak more havoc on the fields of southern Indiana!
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