Most coaches will tell you it’s not about how you start a season, it’s about how you finish it.
But if the Lake Orion girls? soccer team can finish like they started this season, it could be a very big year.
The team tied two-time defending state champion Novi 1-1 in a scrimmage at the Novi Showcase two weekends ago. Since then, they officially opened the 2008 season with an 8-1 shellacking of Brandon.
‘Our potential is higher than it’s ever been,? Coach Ken Snage said. ‘We have a lot of talented kids. Top to bottom, they’re all quick. They have great soccer attitudes.?
The team is also among the youngest Snage has had in his time at Lake Orion, a fact he says means there’s room for tremendous growth.
‘Since 1989, we have our best team in school history,? Snage said. ‘I think we can run with the big girls now.?
‘It’s just about how much our young girls can take in,? he added. ‘They’re doing a great job and it will come. We’re going to be the team nobody wants to play at the end of the season.?
Shannon Doyle, a midfielder who has signed with Oakland University, and Caitlin Clemence, a ‘lockdown? defender who has signed with the University of Detroit, are two of the team’s four seniors. Forwards Halee Doyle and Chelsea Carpenter are the others.
Midfielders Julianne Boyle (a sophomore) and Kelsey Hopper (a junior) have turned some heads early, as has junior forward Niki Read.
‘She could be up there with some of the best we’ve ever had,? Snage said of Read.
Read led the way by scoring four goals (along with two assists) in the win over Brandon. Sophomore Jamie Tasco added two goals and two assists, and Halee Doyle and Lauren Prainito rounded out the scoring.
A pair of sophomores will handle the goalkeeping duties for the Dragons this year. Hailey Redd saw lots of time at the varsity level last year, and will be joined by Alyssa Mason this year.
Snage said the OAA I competition will again be fierce, with Rochester, Lahser and Adams among the top contenders.
‘Our league is the toughest league in the state,? Snage said. ‘You could lose every game in the league and still win the state title.?
‘The top teams you’ll see three times,? he added (a playoff pairing accounting for the third meeting). ‘So you get used to playing some tough competition. It will make us better down the road.?
And the Dragons hope to hit the road for a long playoff run later this spring.
‘I look at everything on our schedule as a build up to the state tournament,? Snage said. ‘We want to be playing our best at the end of the year.?
The coach said the support of the school’s athletic department has been outstanding, adding that none of their success would be possible without the backing of AD Bill Reiss.
‘He’s always done a great job supporting us,? Snage said. ‘We wouldn’t have any of the successes we’ve had without the help of our athletic department.?