As just a sophomore, Jaycee Helmer was a rock at central defender last season for Munster.
She was instrumental in the Mustangs setting program records with seven goals allowed — no more than one in any of their 23 games — and 16 shutouts.
As she crosses the divide to upperclassman status, Helmer seeks to expand her game. A Butler recruit after verbally committing last month, Helmer hopes to become more involved in the offense, in position to accumulate a number of assists.
Since the end of Munster’s excellent 2015 season, Helmer has worked diligently to continue her development as a player. She has sharpened her skills, and improved her conditioning.
“She’s in phenomenal shape,” Munster coach Valerie Pflum said of Helmer. “She’s in the best shape I’ve ever seen her in, and she’s gotten faster. She’s gotten better with her technical savvy on the ball, and her field awareness is better.
“She’s really come along nicely, and I’m really excited to see what she can do this year.”
Helmer stepped right into Munster’s lineup as a freshman at right defender before shifting to the middle.
Her ability in spearheading Munster’s efforts to shut down opposing offenses helped the Mustangs win their first sectional title since 2012 and their first regional since 2009. They also have won back-to-back Northwest Crossroads Conference titles for the first time in Pflum’s nine-year tenure.
That significant taste of success has made Helmer hungrier for more.
“We want to have just as good of a season as last year, if not better,” she said. “So obviously that’s getting back to semistate or even state.
More Top Picks Best Transfer Benches For Bariatric Patients
“It’s a different team, but that’s what we’re working toward. We know it’s not going to be easy, but we can do it.”
As Helmer prepares for the first of her final two seasons at Munster, she’s already set with Butler as her college destination. Helmer also had an offer from IUPUI, and Pflum said schools such as Cincinnati and Northwestern had been expressing interest.
Helmer can’t sign her national letter of intent until February 2018, but Pflum said the recruiting timeline in women’s soccer has been accelerated.
“I actually was one of their last recruits, if not their last,” Helmer said. “A lot of girls commit their freshman year. At first it’s a little strange to think about college in your sophomore year, such a big decision for my future, but it’s actually kind of late for a D-I school like Butler.
“But considering all the facts — the coaches, the players, the campus, the classes — I feel like I made the right decision. I’m very excited.”
Helmer also is excited about the Mustangs’ prospects for this season.
“I’m just trying to be a leader on the field, and be a big contributor to the team overall,” she said. “The returning players, the freshmen, everyone is working hard. We have a long way to go, but we’re pretty comfortable playing together.”
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff