Korrio Girls Player To Watch, August 2012: Annah Lindberg
By Jimmy LaRoue
Annah Lindberg had a remarkable high school season, as the Forest Park forward finished with 27 goals and nine assists this spring in helping lead the team to an 18-1 record and winning a Cardinal District regular season and tournament title.
Before even getting to high school, Lindberg was already a national champion, having scored two goals in the 2009 Super-Y League’s Under-13 championship game. She returned to the North American finals as part of the U-15 Majestics.
And now, as a part of PWSI Courage 95 Gold, Lindberg helped lead her team to a third place finish in the Region I Premier League and landed a berth on the Atlantic Soccer League’s all-event team for her play during the 2012 Jefferson Cup in Richmond.
For her achievements for her club, school and region teams, Lindberg has been chosen as the girls’ Korrio Player to Watch for August.
Earlier this year, Lindberg told the News and Messenger newspaper that “I like having the pressure on me being that one player who can change the game with a goal,” and that she improved the most with her awareness of her teammates, being able to play off of them and their strengths.
“Without question, she’s a driven kid, very focused, technically very good, very dynamic in her game and I think that she poses a tremendous amount of potential to move forward,” said her PWSI coach Ken Krieger. “She’s been identified through the state program, she’s been identified with the regional program, and hopefully she’ll continue to grow.”
Lindberg, a 2014 graduate, has her eye on ACC schools like the University of Virginia and N.C. State, and Krieger said he would work to help her achieve her goals.
“She’s got accolades that would fill up anybody’s resume,” Krieger said. “But I do think that Annah is not just a dynamic player, she’s also a good kid. She’s very passionate, very well-rounded when it comes down to it – academically as well as athletically. She’s got a great support group within her family and a great support group around her. I don’t know anybody that dislikes Annah as a person. She’s just one of those kids that brings a positive mentality and creates a positive environment for everybody else to work like she works.”
While Lindberg is a natural left-footed player, Krieger said she “is very deadly with her right foot as well,” and any team would cherish a left-footed player with her athleticism.
“In and around the attacking third, not only is she lethal inside the box, but she’s also a very complimentary player. She’s what I would consider a consummate team player,” Krieger said.
She’s not just an out-and-out goal scorer, but also will find ways to set up her teammates. She sees the game “in a different manner.”
Lindberg is a versatile player who not only can play on the left, but can play in the center of the park as a shadow striker or someone who can work off the team’s target forward.
But she can also strike at goal from a number of places on the field.
“Annah Lindberg is one of those kinds of kids that, when she’s in the box, if there is an opportunity for her where she gets a clear chance, you can count on her to be on target,” Krieger said. “If it’s a very clear chance, you can count on it being in the back of the net. If it’s a half a chance, you can still count on it being on target. Very seldom will she be off target within her strike zone.”
Her work ethic has helped her thus far, and Krieger said he plans to help develop further her technical side.
“Annah’s on the verge of getting there,” Krieger said.
