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Lady Wolverines battling complacency
BY ANDREW MAY, Staff Writer
Forgive the Wakeland girls soccer team for any kernel of complacency shown down the stretch. Hard to stay motivated when the paycheck is in hand and commission doesn’t factor into the job.
The Lady Wolverines have had their first outright district championship sewed up for nearly two weeks, effectively sapping motivation to play at their peak prior to the postseason. Nevertheless, they have remained unbeaten and can enter the playoffs that way with a victory today against bottom feeder R.L. Turner in the regular season finale.
Head coach Kim Colon, who guided the team to a share of the District 18-4A title last season, understands exactly how good her team can be when all of the moving parts are working together as one. Even with no carrot dangling in front of them, the Lady Wolverines have blanked several playoff teams, all the while coasting on cruise control.
Colon knows that type of dominance can take a team far in the playoffs. The Lady Wolverines advanced to the regional semifinals in 2009 before suffering a 3-0 setback to eventual state champion Richardson Pearce.
“If they’re on their game,” Colon said, “they can play with anybody in the state.”
The key is being on their game, which Wakeland hasn’t been recently.
“We’ve got to regroup a little bit. We have different challenges this year because they’ve known for two weeks that they would be the first seed,” Colon said. “I’ve tried to let them enjoy it. They’ve worked really hard and accomplished their goal. I’ve tried to let them have fun.
“They know they’ve got to regroup and get back on track. They’re aware of it. It’s OK to relax a little bit but they know come Spring Break it’s going to be a different game.”
As was the case last season, Wakeland has been led by a number of different players offensively. Junior Logan White has netted a team-best 12 goals, while sophomore forward Katey Carmichael has added 10. Other contributions have come from senior Morgan Lane, sophomore Ashley Kingston and Maddie Lundberg, one of three freshmen starters along with fellow midfielder Paige Reid and goalkeeper Michaela Moen.
Filling in for the injured Brittanie Barbero, a second-team all-district selection last season, Moen has allowed just six goals in 19 games. Much of the credit belongs to the back line in front of her.
“Our defense has done a wonderful job this year,” Colon said.
As Wakeland prepares for its second straight playoff run, experience will certainly factor in. A majority of the players on the roster donated to the three postseason wins a year ago and are eager to take the next step.
“They’re hungry,” Colon said.
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