A year ago, the Lake Orion girls varsity soccer team came within a questionable call or two of winning their regional final game against Grand Blanc.
The Dragons ended up losing that game on penalty kicks.
‘All that did is teach us how close we are,? said coach Ken Snage. ‘We know we are a top-eight team. The next step is winning that game.
‘Does that fuel us? Absolutely,? he said.
Snage said his team has been working hard all winter, and is ready to go to that next level.
‘I have experienced and talented players,? Snage said.
Gone from the squad is All-State forward Jessica Boyle, but many others are ready to step up in her absence.
At the top of that list is junior defender Jenna Hill, but Snage noted it will take a strong team effort to be successful.
The coach said that the depth of his team this year is its real strength.
The captains for this year’s squad are seniors Amelia Cortis and Margaret Verespie, and junior Erica Wilson.
All three agree that working as a team has been the key to their past success, and their strong bonds as a group will be essential in continuing that success.
‘We have a huge team,? said Cortis. ‘Hopefully we excel to the standard that we set last year.?
‘The Lake Orion soccer program keeps increasing,? noted Verespie. ‘We’re just trying to get better every time we step on the field.?
Within a goal of the state semifinals last year, the program has definitely caught up to the state’s elite. This year they hope to again prove they belong.
‘We’ve got a great schedule. It’s very demanding,? Snage said. ‘There aren’t any weak teams on it.?
A rematch with Grand Blanc on April 29 is probably the highlight game, but competing in the top division of the Oakland Activities Association will provide the team with many quality contests.
The three captains identified Rochester Adams as their top rival in the division, a division that had four of the top All-State players last season.
Troy, Troy Athens, Lasher and Rochester round out the league. The Dragons will play each team twice.
‘We want to win our league,? Snage said, ‘and then win the state title.?
The team is already off to a hot start, winning three games in their own tournament and then topping Clarkston 3-2 on March 27 to raise their record to a perfect 4-0.
Junior Ashley Poirier scored the game winner late against Clarkston, with Hill and junior Lauren Drury adding the other LO tallies.
In periodically blizzard-like conditions, the team recently coasted to the title of their third annual tourney.
The team beat Brandon, 3-1; Plymouth, 2-0; and Avondale, 5-1, in the championship game.
Junior Rachel Bemman scored seven goals to lead the way, with sophomore Shannon Doyle adding two more.
Those two joined seniors Amelia Cortis and Margaret Verespie, and juniors Jenna Hill and goalkeeper Ashley Shugar, on the All-Tournament team.