Girls Soccer Post-Tribune 2016 Coach of the Year
Three cheers for Clapman
Third-year coach hit right notes with culture, tactics for state champ Andrean
Jeff Clapman initially didn't realize the full context of his team's achievement.
When Andrean defeated Lawrenceburg 2-0 for the Class A state championship, the 59ers became the first girls soccer team from the region to win a title.
After he learned that fact, it took him time to process it.
“It's kind of unbelievable,” said Clapman, the Post-Tribune 2016 Girls Soccer Coach of the Year. “We're a small school, and we try to play a very challenging schedule to prepare for the postseason, and it did. There's a lot of good soccer played in Northwest Indiana, whether the rest of the state realizes it or not.
“To be the first girls side to win it, it's truly remarkable. It speaks to the effort the girls put in to accomplish this amazing feat.”
Yet winning a state championship was the 59ers' goal all along.
Last season, they won their first sectional and regional titles since 2004. After getting over a loss in a semistate semifinal to Mishawaka Marian in penalty kicks, their focus shifted to getting back to that level — and advancing even deeper into the postseason.
Andrean's only previous appearance in the state tournament came in 1999, losing in the title game to Indianapolis North Central in penalty kicks.
With a team that included eight returning starters, the 59ers made history. After finishing tied for second place with Highland in the Northwest Crossroads Conference behind Munster, Andrean posted a 17-3-1 record.
Its biggest postseason scare came in a sectional final against Wheeler, escaping in penalty kicks after playing to a 1-1 tie.
“It was a long season,” Clapman said. “It's hard to get there — it took Andrean 17 years to get back. That made it more meaningful. It's not easy, and the girls definitely appreciate that it took a lot of work and effort from a lot of people.”
In his third season as Andrean's coach, Clapman was chief among them, according to senior midfielder Danielle Tazic.
“He came my sophomore year, and he did a great job of taking over this team,” she said. “He set high goals these past three years. Throughout this year, he knew how and when to push us to make our dream become a reality.”
Clapman had high school coaching experience with the Crown Point boys program. Beyond tactics, he has the ability to connect with a diverse group, pointed out senior defender Kiera Markham.
“He's been a huge part of our success,” she said. “He came into this not knowing who any of us were. He wasn't affiliated with the school in any way — he just applied and got the spot. He didn't know any one of our personalities, and he allowed us to be ourselves.
“He worked with our personalities, let them come out, and that helped us with our soccer. He's able to see our weaknesses and our strengths, play to that and coach us according to our talent.”
Clapman has emphasized the 59ers' tradition, passing along a culture of unselfishness from one team to another.
“I'm so grateful that he was able to be our coach for the last three years,” Markham said. “It's bittersweet to be leaving, but I can't wait to come back and see what this team does in the future. I can't wait to see how the program continues to progress under these coaches.”
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