CENTER OF ATTENTION – Hooksett’s Alyssa Thayer controls most soccer matches for state champion West. (File Photo)

HOOKSETT – With a right leg capable of generating so much force she can seemingly send any soccer ball to the moon, Manchester West’s Alyssa Thayer of Hooksett is far and away the Neighborhood’s Super Shoes Athlete of the Month for November.

Only a junior, but already a captain along with two seniors, Thayer recently helped the Blue Knights – a national powerhouse in girls high school soccer – clinch their second Class L state championship in three seasons.

The ’04 crown was also a national record 14th in the program’s history.

“We’re definitely lucky,” said Thayer, repeating her head coach’s constant message that the number of girls who even make it to one state final is far smaller than the number of overall athletes who suit up at the start of every season. "There are a lot of good teams in Class L. But going into West you expect to win (championships). I know a lot of kids would like to be in our shoes.”

Thayer’s superior play as a center-midfielder was a major reason behind West’s seasonlong success; the Queen City club went 16-0 in the regular season before tacking on four wins in four postseason matches to take the trophy.

The championship plaque aside, Thayer said the team’s perfect 20-0 campaign is what she’ll remember most about 04.

“We gave it our all,” she said. “Looking back, it was all worth it. All the practices and games since August, all the time and effort, it was worth it.”

“In terms of skill level, I’ve coached a lot of great players,” said West head coach Jack Amero, owner of the most Class L wins with 399. “I’ve never had a kid quite as intense about winning as Alyssa Thayer. The demands she has of herself are absolutely incredible.”

Through three high school campaigns at the varsity level, Thayer has a remarkable resume. Her accomplishments include state championships as a freshman and junior. She boasts an overall record of 53- 6 – with only one loss coming in the last two seasons – along with an eye-popping 66 career goals.

“When she came in as a freshman, she was such an extraordinary player,” Amero said. “She plays soccer 12 months a year, so her skill level can’t increase much; she’s already there.”

Currently, Thayer is 22 goals shy of the program’s career goal-scoring record of 88, set by former Blue Knight Claire Landon of the University of Rhode Island.

Other than team wins and losses, Amero doesn’t spend a lot of time mulling over statistics. Still, the man whose name is alongside several impressive soccer stats admitted even he is well aware of Thayer’s shot at breaking the coveted Blue Knights’ record.

But like her head coach, Thayer is more concerned with helping her team win matches and, ultimately, state titles. Victory – at any cost – consumes her.

“A lot of kids are willing to play hurt,” Amero said. “She’s willing to play injured. There’s a big difference. She plays so hard that she gets hurt. Soccer is a rough game and she invites it.”

Born with the natural skill to score goals, she sat down with Amero at the start of the season. Thayer, often marked by multiple defenders, said her coach stressed taking advantage of the opposition’s defensive strategy by setting up teammates with opportunities.

And while some athletes with superior talent want all the goal-scoring glory, Thayer is equally happy racking up assists or making plays that don’t show up in box scores. Yes, this young athlete has a much different set of priorities.

“As much ink as she gets, she’s probably the most popular kid on the team,” Amero said. “Everybody loves her because she wants to win more than score goals. That’s the best compliment you can give a kid like that.”

“After team success comes individual success,” Thayer said. “I definitely expect to win another championship (as a senior). But there won’t be any big heads coming into next season. Our philosophy is that we’re starting at the bottom and we have to work our way to the top.”

(Editor’s Note: The Athlete of the Month receives a $50 gift certificate, courtesy of Super Shoes.)