Even though there’s seven games left in the regular season, it’s time to gear up for the post-season, says boys? soccer Coach Matt Paukovits.
He says the team is finally starting to ‘find our rhythm, find our feet,? and the boys should perform well over the next several weeks and beyond.
‘I think that we have enough talent to do well in the state, but the single determining factor is going to be who we’re faced with in single-elimination games,? Paukovits said.
Last year, the team lost a major player to injury in the middle of post-season crunch time, and it was hard to replace him in the middle of a game and regain momentum.
This year, the coach said, ‘I feel good about our chances? in the post season. ‘I think we’re preparing well. We have seven more games in the regular season and I think we should finish them out well. I expect the boys to be prepared and give it our best shot.?
Beginning this Thursday with a game against Flushing, the march to the post-season begins.
Tuesday, the boys played against a Toledo, OH team. (See those results in next week’s Review.)
It’s a team Lake Orion’s never played before, and going in, Paukovits said ‘It will be a feeling-out process to see what they’re about,? he said. ‘We expect to win, but the only thing we can control is how well we play.?
He says the team’s to a point where it’s doing a lot of reflection and self-assessment instead of worrying about individual players. ‘Overall, we’ve only lost two games and hopefully we can keep that up.?
Last week, Sept. 21, the team took on Bloomfield Hills Lahser and ‘didn’t play very well,? said Paukovits. ‘Our preparation wasn’t very good going into the game and we had a few injuries.?
Dragons lost 4-1 with Jesus Ginez scored the lone goal for Lake Orion.
The team got off on a better foot, Thursday, Sept. 23 when it took the first goal against Dearborn Fordson at home. Paukovits said the team straightened a few kinks out at practice, Wednesday as well