After what coach Ken Snage called a ‘brilliant? non-league season last year, the Lake Orion High School girls varsity soccer team will attempt to increase their performance level enough this season to propel them to a state championship.
‘Last year we were 7-12 overall in OAA I,? said Snage. ‘We learned how to compete in that level. We’re playing the best competition in the state. It’s the most challenging conference, I think, of any sport.?
Snage said his varsity team, 19 strong, is up for the challenge this year.
‘I think they look great. This is the best team I’ve had since I coached soccer,? he said. ‘We didn’t have travel (soccer) level players before, now we have kids playing every level imaginable.?
The Dragons return two seniors this season, captains Stephanie Keteyian and Jill Whiteside. Also back is junior captain Holli Finneren, along with returning juniors Jessica Boyle, Hilary Conklin, Tasha Keasey, Elyse Keifer, Shelley Marick, Melissa Marriott, and Lauren Ottenhoff.
Returning sophomores for the team are Amelia Cortis and Lindsey Luch.
New to this year’s varsity squad are: Freshman Rachel Bemman, senior Rachel Conroy, freshman Jenna Hill, junior Sara Steinheiser, senior Heather Temple, sophomore Margaret Verespie and freshman Erica Wilson.
‘I had a lot to learn about the kids and what roles they would fill that were left empty after last year,? Snage said. ‘Our goal keepers are Lindsay Luch and Margaret Verespie, and they’re both good.
‘We have a keeper coach this year, Jason Collingsworth, and most teams don’t have that,? he said.
Snage is pleased with the number of returning players he has this season, as opposed to last year.
‘Our three captains, they’re all exceptional players,? he said. ‘They all bring something different. Holli is the pusher, she makes things happen among the group. Jill is a four-year player, and she brings that know how to the team.
‘Stephanie is our lady of wisdom, she’s always the one who sets the standard of what’s right for the group,? Snage said. ‘Jessica Boyle was an Honorable Mention for All-State last year, and she’s very gifted. Shelley Marick is a multiple position player this year.?
Snage said the newcomers to the team are ‘exciting kids.?
‘They all bring something unique to this team,? he said.
Lake Orion kicked off their season with a scrimmage invitational at Walled Lake on March 19-20.
‘We beat Walled Lake Northern 1-0, Waterford Kettering 3-0, and Walled Lake Central 3-0,? Snage said. ‘It was just a scrimmage, but they played it like a scrimmage game.
‘We’re going to compete with the long-standing teams,? he said. ‘We’re at the doorstep, and the door’s opening. Our goal is to be state champion…it’s the only one worthy of achieving.?
Snage said his team has skill and ‘know how of tactical soccer.?
‘The only thing I’m still concerned about, I’d call it a work in progress, is developing mentally and defensively,? he said. ‘We’ll be tough against Troy, Adams…they all reload. We’re getting to the point where we’re reloading. Our kids play a lot of club ball, and we’ve been developing an off-season conditioning program.?
The varsity team is assistant coached by Randy McCoy, JV head coach, and Cliff Selent. The freshman team is coached by Michelle Lee.