Historic Run Ends At Regionals Story and photos by Tara Hefferan The Newaygo Lions Soccer season has come to an end, following a 4-0 loss to Elk Rapids Tuesday night in the Region 12 semi-final match at Big Rapids. As the underdogs, the Lions battled mightily against the state-ranked Elks, putting in a full effort despite the unfavorable odds. As Captain Grace Painter said, “Elk Rapids was a very good team, all the way, even into their bench. We gave it our all. I was proud of us.” The Elks controlled the ball for most of the match, putting the Lions into a primarily defensive posture. Their attack was relentless, with three goals scored in the first seventeen minutes. Over the match, Lion Keeper Barbara Toth had 28 shots against her. Said Captain Sofia Briggs, “Elk Rapids was a very skilled team.” In post-game analysis, Coach Matt Painter said, “Elk Rapids was by far the best team we have seen all season! It was a great opportunity for our girls to play against one of the best teams in the state for our division. I think we were a little shell shocked by their speed and skill level at the beginning of the game. We made some adjustments to our formation knowing that our scoring chances would be few! I was so proud of how our girls never gave up and how they continued to fight and defend and do their absolute best against a great team. Our girls’ grit and determination prevented Elk Rapids from scoring for over three quarters of the game. So, when the final whistle blew, they jogged off the field holding their heads high. They knew they had given everything they had! A coach can’t ask for anything better than that!” While the match challenged the Lions and ended their state-run, the players relished their history-making season and the deep friendships the season offered. Keeper Barbara Toth reflected, “We all played well, despite losing. We all stuck with it. We didn’t get mad at each other. We are a great team. We like to have fun. All the girls are really nice, and we all are friends” Indeed, the Lions had a remarkable season, winning the district title for the first time in program history. They also played for the conference championship, being narrowly edged out by rival Big Rapids. With a schedule record of 16-4-1, the Lions were a threat every time they stepped on the field. This is in marked contrast to previous seasons, where the Lions lost far more often than they won, including a season where they lost all 17 of their matches. What accounts for this dramatic turn around? Captain Briggs said, “Our season was so successful because of our hard work and dedication to the team.” Coach Painter agreed, extending the lens a bit farther back. “I really believe that this season’s success started two years ago. Yes, I mean our success started the season we were shut down for COVID! When other teams just canceled their season, our girls put in hours upon hours of practice competing against each other and in virtual groups to complete challenges and rack up hours of training! That persistence led to a successful season last year. And then this season we just picked up and improved on what we did last year! Our girls just want to win and they have learned that working together makes winning happen!” In today’s sports environment, having players with club soccer experience is also important to success. As a rural school, Newaygo has been historically disadvantaged compared to neighboring teams when it comes to club soccer opportunities. The current team, however, has a number of players who have at least some experience playing competitively in the club system. Friendship, hard-work, a culture of winning, and some club experience are characteristics that will carry forward into next spring season, which promises to be competitive too. The Lions are losing just one senior, Captain Jaxi Long, this year. The team will return largely in its current form next year, with the addition of at least a couple in-coming freshmen players with some club experience. Coach Painter, “After coming off a 16-4-1 season where we won districts for the first time in school history, it is hard to think about topping this season! For us, it has never been about winning games. That’s certainly nice, but our main goal has always been to live into our team values. We believe that if we live out our values then we will be successful regardless of what the scoreboard says. So for next year, I hope we continue to buy into the idea that we just need ONE WIN…that we Only Need Everybody to commit to What’s Important Now. This, along with our other team values will drive us to great things!” Until next season arrives, the Lions will spend some time relishing their memories of the 2022 season. Captain Painter said, “My favorite memory was definitely winning districts. It was a long time in coming, and it was very rewarding.” Keeper Toth said her favorite memory is “the fact that not a single person made a penalty kick shot on me!” Coach Painter said, “I have so many memories that it is hard to pick just one! The obvious choice would be winning the District Title. While that was amazing, I think the smaller, seemingly insignificant things really stick with me! Things like: The girls ‘sneaking’ seconds and thirds from the cooler full of ice cream treats on the way home from away games. The girls on the bench cheering. The laughing and occasionally raucous game playing on the bus. Talking me out of extra running because they are superstitious of changing the routine for fearing of ending the winning streak. I think that all of these (and so many more) memories are part of what makes this such a great team to coach!”
Building on this season’s many successes, the Lions spring 2023 season promises to be one more friendships, more fun, and more wins, of many kinds.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Categories |