Girls’ soccer: Tarver can do more than just run fast

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Before she packs her running flats, soccer cleats and tennis shoes for Arizona State, Kauren Tarver of Serrano hopes to find room for a few more patches on her letterman’s jacket.

Tarver, who was expected to sign her letter of intent Thursday night, scored two goals earlier in the day during a 3-0 victory over visiting Kaiser in a Southern Section Division IV girls’ soccer second-round playoff game.

Tarver and Serrano will face Paloma Valley in Saturday’s quarterfinals.

Although she’s one of the top players in the division, soccer takes a backseat to distance running. Tarver is a two-time state cross-country champion and four-time qualifier for the Foot Locker National Cross-Country Championships, all while sharing time on the tennis court, where she played doubles for the Diamondbacks all four years.

Did I mention she’s also one of the Southland’s top distance runners on the track?

Tarver, undoubtedly, is the most diverse and talented high school athlete I’ve covered in the last 14 years. About 10 years ago, there was a top distance runner/soccer player at Irvine University named Allyson Marquand, but she couldn’t serve and volley.

-- Dan Arritt