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Sports

Lakeland Soccer Jumps out to a Quick Start

Eagles win opener 6-1 and hope to rebound from a disappointing 2010.

soccer plans to rebound from a disappointing season a year ago – something very possible with the youth of the returning varsity players. And the Eagles are off to a good start.

Lakeland defeated Wayne Memorial 6-1 in its season opener Friday in frigid conditions. The Eagles jumped out to a 4-0 lead at halftime, thanks to goals by Danielle Reiter, Megan Kalanik, Jules Corvell and Amanda Allen. Laura Austin and Kaela Fyffe scored second-half goals in the win, with Lauren Reiter and Rachel Gilmore combining to get the win in goal. 

The Eagles were often on the short end of close matches a year ago as Lakeland scored more goals than Walled Lake Northern, the Kensington Lakes Activities Association North champions last year, but Lakeland was unable to win many of its close matches. That included two close losses to the rival Knights.

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But the experience that returns this season may make it possible for a quick turnaround, said head coach Curt Whitefield. 

“We were a very young team last year, with only nine juniors and seniors and 13 freshman and sophomores,” Whitefield said. “There are many opportunities for us to turn these close games into wins for 2011. So we have a chance to win a league title because we will be more experienced.” 

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The latest challenge for Lakeland will be fighting through a current string of injuries. 

“Returning players from injury will be important, and we have a few right now,” Whitefield said. ‘We have several key injuries to start the season.

"Another key factor is how well we learn to be more creative in our attack," he said. "If the girls figure this out, we could have a great year because of our athleticism.” 

Among the injured players are Jillian Parsons, who played almost every minute last year as a junior captain at center back. She will miss her senior year because of a knee injury suffered during basketball season. 

Juniors Mary Jacobs and Lauren Torossian and sophomore Allen will be critical in filling Jillian's shoes, Whitefield said. They are all high-level club players who are tough on the ball and well-skilled, he said.

Jacobs is looking forward to a season in which her team should be able to win more of the close games that escaped it last year. 

“We just need to keep doing what we’re doing and practice and persevere,” Jacobs said about dealing with injuries. “We’ve got some great talent and coaches, and that will take us on a journey through this season.”

Lexe Walker is a junior midfielder and club player for the Novi Jaguars who sat out last year because of her own injury. Walker is a critical player in Lakeland's midfield with several other center midfielders starting the season injured. 

Morgan Kroezen is returning as a sophomore after an all-district freshman season that included four goals and 10 assists. She and Walker will be controlling the middle of the field for Lakeland, providing as much talent and depth at that position as in recent years, Whitefield said.

Three players will be primarily responsible for Lakeland's scoring at the forward positions. Sophomore Kalanik, junior Corvell and senior Austin combined for 13 goals and five assists in 2010.

“(Austin) is an explosive athlete with tremendous ball control and vision,” Whitefield said.

Other key players for Lakeland will include left back Jessica Klave, goalkeeper Reiter and one of Lakeland's most endured, tough, and versatile players, Allie Morris, according to her coach. 

“Allie played critical minutes in defense when we realized some shortfalls in that position," Whitefield said. "She is traditionally a midfielder, so she can control the ball skillfully."

Juniors Alex Imhoff, Alex Rew, Jessica Bidock and Sydney Whitefield are athletic club players who add depth to the team in the midfield, while returning seniors Fyffe and Lauren Dawson are two more veterans in the small senior class of five. 

While Northern is the defending champion, Whitefield believes his squad can compete for a title in the KLAA North. 

"I see us as a major contender in the league,” Whitefield said. “All the teams in the league are closely matched for a lot of very tight action.

"I think it is anyone's title," he said. "It will be based on who comes together as a team and works the hardest toward improving as the season goes on.”

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