Etten does it all for Mead
It isn’t easy to get a handle on Jaimey Etten, both on and off the soccer field.
The Mead junior is a conundrum in many ways. She’s a goal-ripping, assist-dishing standout, but she’s just as likely to be found making as many positive plays on defense. It isn’t often a player excels at both ends, particularly a player who turned 17 less than a week ago.
She starred as a forward during her first two seasons at Mead, leading the Panthers in goals scored both years. Named a first-team selection on the all-Greater Spokane League team last year, Etten has returned to her natural position at center midfielder and flourished.
“We’re asking a lot of her,” Mead coach Jason Johnson said. “She doesn’t have time to relax. We need her to get through on offense and get back on defense. … There was never a time that I looked up and she was out of position. Her knowledge of the position is second to none.”
Etten is affable and quick to fire a smile, and she’s a National Honor Society member sporting a 4.0 GPA. She dreams of playing soccer at Duke and pursuing a pharmaceutical career.
So who is this 5-foot-6 girl overpowering an opponent and using a subtle, well-placed hip check to gain control of the ball?
“It feels good to go in for a hard tackle and know that I dominated that person,” Etten said, unable to conceal a laugh. “But I’m not trying to hurt anyone or go for blood or anything.”
Johnson said Etten has matured significantly since her freshman year, the chirping at officials and coaches a thing of the past. Johnson understood those moments were a result of unrestrained competitive fire that often takes a few years to subdue.
“As she’s grown,” he said, “we’ve started to understand her more. Her intensity level is something you can’t teach.”
Etten possesses considerable lower-body strength that allows her to control the ball under duress while simultaneously maneuvering a defender whichever way she chooses. To make the most of that attribute, Etten invites the contact with opposing players.
If she ends up with a bruise the size of a tennis ball on her left arm, such as the one she’s boasting this week, so be it.
“It’s a huge advantage that I can hold on to the ball and connect a pass or take a shot,” Etten said. “When you get the ball, you can do so much with it. I have to protect it and make sure I take care of it.”
Etten said she’s played club ball for the Spokane Shadow program for the past six years, and she played youth league soccer before that. The Shadow are flying to North Carolina in December to compete in a tournament, and Etten said she’s using the opportunity to make an unofficial visit to Duke, a school Johnson said has professed mutual interest.
Etten added she’ll visit Washington State, Portland State and Nevada-Las Vegas within a month, and wants to make an oral commitment soon. Mead teammate Alyshah Smith already has signed with Florida.
“As she continues to gain knowledge of the game – and considering the work rate she has – the sky’s the limit,” Johnson said. “There is no limitation to what she can do. … Whoever signs her will be fortunate to have her and is one lucky person.”