“A Macomb County girls soccer team will win a state title in the next five years.”
I wrote that in this blog last year following the Division 1 girls soccer state final in which Utica Eisenhower fell 3-2 in overtime to Portage Central. http://candgnewssports.blogspot.com/2009/07/one-final-thought-from-pitch.html
Well, a few weeks into the spring season of year one and things seem right on track.
The state’s coaches association recently released its early season rankings and Eisenhower debuted at No. 2 and Clinton Township Chippewa Valley makes an appearance at No. 8 in Div. 1. http://www.mihisoccer.org/Girlsrankings.htm
The Eagles (1-0-1 overall at press time) and Big Reds (2-0-1) have their work cut out for them entering Macomb Area Conference Red Division action later this week.
http://www.macombmac.misd.net/soccer.htm
The competitive league’s other two Macomb County squads — Utica Stevenson (3-0-0) and Utica Ford II (2-0-1) — were also unbeaten three games into the young season.
All four of the talented squads will continually test each other — along with the division’s other two teams, Grosse Pointe North and Grosse Pointe South — preparing them well enough for at least one to make another deep playoff run.
The state tournament itself should pose another set of challenges, as talented local squads such as Macomb L’Anse Creuse North, Fair Haven Anchor Bay, Utica High, Sterling Heights High, Troy High and Troy Athens are bound to pose big obstacles in districts and regionals.
http://www.mhsaa.com/Sports/GirlsSoccer.aspx
If any of those squads can survive that gauntlet, it should be déjà vu all over again with Portage Central (which returned plenty of players and kicked off the season ranked No. 1) standing in the way of a title and my budding fortuneteller side career.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Pilots will miss shooting star
My final works of the winter sports season has been coverage of the top boys basketball players in Macomb County.
But the season wouldn’t be complete before a few final words on one remaining player — regardless of what the calendar says.
There were many talented hoopsters across the Macomb Area Conference and on the private schools’ squads, especially Warren De La Salle. And the Pilots have the most reason to be excited about next season with the majority of their top talents returning.
Yet DLS will be hard-pressed to replace one of the most important pieces from the its run to the Class A state quarterfinals this past season.
Senior shooting guard Jim Novak seemingly came on stronger and stronger all season, building up speed like a rocket blasting off into space. After missing the start of the season with a knee injury and the ensuing recovery, he eventually made his way into the starting lineup and became the spark for the Pilots throughout the playoffs.
His energy and clutch 3-point shooting kept DLS in games and put it ahead in others. He even saved his best performance for last, scoring a team-high 15 points in his final game as a Pilot. Novak hit three 3-pointers in a five-minute span to rally the Pilots back into the quarterfinal before DLS eventually fell to Southfield High.
Southfield defenders became so anxious about keeping Novak from getting a clear look at the basket, they even fouled him on the third trey, knocking him to the ground as the ball swished through the net. Novak jumped up to his feet and coolly hit the free throw awarded to him to convert the rare four-point play.
“He’s got the heart of a lion. He just doesn’t like to lose,” DLS coach Greg Esler said about Novak during the playoffs. “His leadership is tremendous, because he won’t take a second off on a play. He just keeps on fighting and working hard. He might only be 5-8 in statue, but he’s 6-9 as far as the heart — he’s just a heck of a kid.”
Esler didn’t stop there, raining praise down on the senior like Novak’s shots falling in from outside the arc.
“Jimmy’s been a star for us since we inserted him in the lineup,” the coach continued. “He was instrumental. He would not let them quit. He was going to work until the very end, and he found a way all the time. Jimmy Novak was huge to our success the second half of the season, no question about it.”
While Esler has had to replace more talented players in recent years, few have made the all-around impact Novak has on this team, making him a major loss for the Pilots.
And as incredibly exhilarating as his play was on the court, Novak was incredibly humble off it.
Following his impressive shooting performance in the quarterfinal, he simply had this to say: “We just had to get something going, so I shot the ball up and it went in.”
As for the Pilots’ playoff run: “It’s a straight blessing,” he said.
And sitting on the sidelines while recovering from his injury: “It was tough on me mentally, and I wanted to play, of course, as any person would. But I kept on working hard, waiting for my chance and opportunity to come.”
Fortunately for the Pilots, it came — and Novak delivered.
But the season wouldn’t be complete before a few final words on one remaining player — regardless of what the calendar says.
There were many talented hoopsters across the Macomb Area Conference and on the private schools’ squads, especially Warren De La Salle. And the Pilots have the most reason to be excited about next season with the majority of their top talents returning.
Yet DLS will be hard-pressed to replace one of the most important pieces from the its run to the Class A state quarterfinals this past season.
Senior shooting guard Jim Novak seemingly came on stronger and stronger all season, building up speed like a rocket blasting off into space. After missing the start of the season with a knee injury and the ensuing recovery, he eventually made his way into the starting lineup and became the spark for the Pilots throughout the playoffs.
His energy and clutch 3-point shooting kept DLS in games and put it ahead in others. He even saved his best performance for last, scoring a team-high 15 points in his final game as a Pilot. Novak hit three 3-pointers in a five-minute span to rally the Pilots back into the quarterfinal before DLS eventually fell to Southfield High.
Southfield defenders became so anxious about keeping Novak from getting a clear look at the basket, they even fouled him on the third trey, knocking him to the ground as the ball swished through the net. Novak jumped up to his feet and coolly hit the free throw awarded to him to convert the rare four-point play.
“He’s got the heart of a lion. He just doesn’t like to lose,” DLS coach Greg Esler said about Novak during the playoffs. “His leadership is tremendous, because he won’t take a second off on a play. He just keeps on fighting and working hard. He might only be 5-8 in statue, but he’s 6-9 as far as the heart — he’s just a heck of a kid.”
Esler didn’t stop there, raining praise down on the senior like Novak’s shots falling in from outside the arc.
“Jimmy’s been a star for us since we inserted him in the lineup,” the coach continued. “He was instrumental. He would not let them quit. He was going to work until the very end, and he found a way all the time. Jimmy Novak was huge to our success the second half of the season, no question about it.”
While Esler has had to replace more talented players in recent years, few have made the all-around impact Novak has on this team, making him a major loss for the Pilots.
And as incredibly exhilarating as his play was on the court, Novak was incredibly humble off it.
Following his impressive shooting performance in the quarterfinal, he simply had this to say: “We just had to get something going, so I shot the ball up and it went in.”
As for the Pilots’ playoff run: “It’s a straight blessing,” he said.
And sitting on the sidelines while recovering from his injury: “It was tough on me mentally, and I wanted to play, of course, as any person would. But I kept on working hard, waiting for my chance and opportunity to come.”
Fortunately for the Pilots, it came — and Novak delivered.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Happy hoops and holidays!
The other morning, I spent a few freezing minutes scraping the frost off my car windows, which can only mean two things — it’s winter, and it’s finally boys basketball season.
OK, so I just checked the calendar and winter doesn’t officially start until Dec. 21, but by then most schools will be out on break, leaving a handful of hoops tournaments here and there.
So to feed your (and mine) basketball fever until then, I’ve highlighted several great games in the Macomb County area in the next couple of weeks. Enjoy!
Dec. 7 — Utica Ford II at Fraser High, 7:30 p.m. — This MAC crossover is one of a few local games on opening day. Even with the entire preseason to get ready for it, there might not be a tougher team to prepare for then Fraser of the MAC Blue. The Ramblers’ pressure, zone ‘D’ and Princeton offense will surely test the visiting Falcons of the MAC Red.
Dec. 8 — Grosse Pointe North at Warren De La Salle, 7:30 p.m. — These squads were hands down the two most complete teams in the area last year. The Pilots eventually bested the Norsemen in a regional final last season, but nearly everyone who played in that game has graduated, so it will be interesting to see who steps up for these proud programs this year.
Dec. 9 — Warren Cousino at Warren Mott, 7 p.m. — The MAC Gold-based Marauders, led by twin towers C.J. Olaniyan and Joel Asbury, could be one of the top five teams in the area and will get a much-needed early test from their rivals, who play in the MAC White. Meanwhile, this will be the Patriots’ second game in as many nights, as Cousino plays at Troy Athens Dec. 8 in new coach Craig Miller’s debut with the team.
Dec. 11 — St. Clair Shores Lake Shore at Warren Lincoln, 7 p.m. — The Shorians and Abes probably surprised a few people last year when they finished as co-champs in their divisions, the MAC Gold and Silver, respectively. Their league rivals might want to keep a close eye on this early season clash so they know what’s coming this year. Lake Shore, led by Johnny Johnson, might even be the favorites this season in the Silver.
Dec. 15 — Madison High at Roseville High, 7 p.m. — Calling this game a “track meet” may be cliche, but it doesn’t even do it justice. It's more like a high-octane, turbo-fueled, 40-yard dash on rocket skates. The talent level will be through the roof, as will the offensive output, for these athletic squads. First team to 90 wins.
Dec. 17 — Utica Eisenhower at Roseville High, 7 p.m. — It’s too tough to pass on the Panthers again, as they play host to the defending MAC Red champs and Oakland University-bound center Corey Petros following their matchup with Madison — the defending MAC Blue champs. This will be another huge test for Brandon Gouch, Traye Williams and the rest of the Panthers — who want to reach those championship ranks with the MAC White and district title after coming close last year.
OK, so I just checked the calendar and winter doesn’t officially start until Dec. 21, but by then most schools will be out on break, leaving a handful of hoops tournaments here and there.
So to feed your (and mine) basketball fever until then, I’ve highlighted several great games in the Macomb County area in the next couple of weeks. Enjoy!
Dec. 7 — Utica Ford II at Fraser High, 7:30 p.m. — This MAC crossover is one of a few local games on opening day. Even with the entire preseason to get ready for it, there might not be a tougher team to prepare for then Fraser of the MAC Blue. The Ramblers’ pressure, zone ‘D’ and Princeton offense will surely test the visiting Falcons of the MAC Red.
Dec. 8 — Grosse Pointe North at Warren De La Salle, 7:30 p.m. — These squads were hands down the two most complete teams in the area last year. The Pilots eventually bested the Norsemen in a regional final last season, but nearly everyone who played in that game has graduated, so it will be interesting to see who steps up for these proud programs this year.
Dec. 9 — Warren Cousino at Warren Mott, 7 p.m. — The MAC Gold-based Marauders, led by twin towers C.J. Olaniyan and Joel Asbury, could be one of the top five teams in the area and will get a much-needed early test from their rivals, who play in the MAC White. Meanwhile, this will be the Patriots’ second game in as many nights, as Cousino plays at Troy Athens Dec. 8 in new coach Craig Miller’s debut with the team.
Dec. 11 — St. Clair Shores Lake Shore at Warren Lincoln, 7 p.m. — The Shorians and Abes probably surprised a few people last year when they finished as co-champs in their divisions, the MAC Gold and Silver, respectively. Their league rivals might want to keep a close eye on this early season clash so they know what’s coming this year. Lake Shore, led by Johnny Johnson, might even be the favorites this season in the Silver.
Dec. 15 — Madison High at Roseville High, 7 p.m. — Calling this game a “track meet” may be cliche, but it doesn’t even do it justice. It's more like a high-octane, turbo-fueled, 40-yard dash on rocket skates. The talent level will be through the roof, as will the offensive output, for these athletic squads. First team to 90 wins.
Dec. 17 — Utica Eisenhower at Roseville High, 7 p.m. — It’s too tough to pass on the Panthers again, as they play host to the defending MAC Red champs and Oakland University-bound center Corey Petros following their matchup with Madison — the defending MAC Blue champs. This will be another huge test for Brandon Gouch, Traye Williams and the rest of the Panthers — who want to reach those championship ranks with the MAC White and district title after coming close last year.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Don't let cold slow you down
Now comes the hard part.
It’s easy to run and exercise in the spring and summer when the weather is warm and you want to look your best in that new bathing suit.
But now that fall is around the corner, meaning at some point, although you never know in Michigan, colder weather is coming.
Yet as the expert sources in our last and latest running feature point out, the cold shouldn’t slow you down. Kevin Hanson and Dr. J. L. Aiello provide some great tips for staying fit in the fall and winter — just as our sources all summer long provided excellent advice.
So stay diligent in your training, avoid hibernating and thanks for sharing in this series. As for myself, I’ve definitely noticed changes in how my body reacts to a solid running routine. My endurance has increased and those pesky shin splint pains have subsided.
The fall season offers plenty of chances to finally get out and run that 5K race or take part in any other event if you haven’t yet, so be sure to check out informational resources such as www.runmichigan.com for a race near you.
As mentioned earlier, fall is high time for hitting the trail, so we’ve listed a few upcoming local events so you can join in the fun and fitness. For more information on each event and a list of other upcoming races in your area, check online at www.runmichigan.com.
A few good ones coming up are:
• Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo 5K and 10K runs, and two-mile walk Sept. 20 at the zoo in Royal Oak.
• UEA 5K Trail Run and one-mile fitness walk Sept. 27 at Stony Creek MetroPark in Shelby Township.
• Detroit Free Press marathon, half-marathon and 5K Oct. 18 in Detroit.
It’s easy to run and exercise in the spring and summer when the weather is warm and you want to look your best in that new bathing suit.
But now that fall is around the corner, meaning at some point, although you never know in Michigan, colder weather is coming.
Yet as the expert sources in our last and latest running feature point out, the cold shouldn’t slow you down. Kevin Hanson and Dr. J. L. Aiello provide some great tips for staying fit in the fall and winter — just as our sources all summer long provided excellent advice.
So stay diligent in your training, avoid hibernating and thanks for sharing in this series. As for myself, I’ve definitely noticed changes in how my body reacts to a solid running routine. My endurance has increased and those pesky shin splint pains have subsided.
The fall season offers plenty of chances to finally get out and run that 5K race or take part in any other event if you haven’t yet, so be sure to check out informational resources such as www.runmichigan.com for a race near you.
As mentioned earlier, fall is high time for hitting the trail, so we’ve listed a few upcoming local events so you can join in the fun and fitness. For more information on each event and a list of other upcoming races in your area, check online at www.runmichigan.com.
A few good ones coming up are:
• Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo 5K and 10K runs, and two-mile walk Sept. 20 at the zoo in Royal Oak.
• UEA 5K Trail Run and one-mile fitness walk Sept. 27 at Stony Creek MetroPark in Shelby Township.
• Detroit Free Press marathon, half-marathon and 5K Oct. 18 in Detroit.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Running Man 2
My cell phone’s alarm went off — it was finally here.
Race day.
It was 6:45 a.m., the race (Fraser’s July 19 Run Drugs Out of Town 5K) wouldn’t start for nearly three more hours, but I wanted to give myself plenty of time.
After all, this was the first 5K I was going to run in four years, and there was something I needed to do — stretch, stretch and stretch some more.
Pretty much every running coach I spoke with for my series of running stories this summer couldn’t stress enough the importance of stretching — especially during interviews for my latest installment on preventing and treating injuries.
The next one, by the way, will have more helpful hints for race day and the week leading up to it.
So I woke up and did some stretches. Then ate a light breakfast. Stretched again. Got my gear together and drove to the registration spot. As soon as I received my T-shirt and number, I stretched again. I wandered the grounds for a bit, then, guess what — still some more time for stretching.
I was even stretching a little bit in the big crowd at the starting line as we all anxiously awaited the beginning of the race. (That's yours truly there in the headband, click the photo for a larger view ... or don't.)
And you know what? It all paid off.
Most of my training has been plagued with shin splints, strained leg muscles and other annoying aches and pains. But that’s usually because I don’t spend as much time stretching as all the experts have been suggesting.
So I finally fully took the advice I’ve been writing about and felt great — not only halfway through the race, but also as I crossed the finish line and even walking around afterwards.
Now I can apply my lessons learned and increase my goals as I train for one more 5K in the fall. I can successfully check off running the entire race without hurting myself and now look ahead to improving on my pace and time (30 minutes, 50 seconds).
In the meantime, here’s another bunch of local, upcoming races and events for you to check out. For more information about each, and a list of other races, check out www.runmichigan.com.
July 25 — Heart of the Hills 5K run/walk and 10K run, Bloomfield Hills
July 25 — Gopher the Gold 5K/10K run and kids fun run, Shelby Township
Aug. 1 — ACT for Autism 5K run and 1 mile walk, Bloomfield Hills
Aug. 2 — Eastpointe Lions Club Ox Roast Run 5K fun run and 1 mile walk, Eastpointe
Aug. 6 — Stony Creek Distance Run 5K run and 1 mile run, Shelby Township
Race day.
It was 6:45 a.m., the race (Fraser’s July 19 Run Drugs Out of Town 5K) wouldn’t start for nearly three more hours, but I wanted to give myself plenty of time.
After all, this was the first 5K I was going to run in four years, and there was something I needed to do — stretch, stretch and stretch some more.
Pretty much every running coach I spoke with for my series of running stories this summer couldn’t stress enough the importance of stretching — especially during interviews for my latest installment on preventing and treating injuries.
The next one, by the way, will have more helpful hints for race day and the week leading up to it.
So I woke up and did some stretches. Then ate a light breakfast. Stretched again. Got my gear together and drove to the registration spot. As soon as I received my T-shirt and number, I stretched again. I wandered the grounds for a bit, then, guess what — still some more time for stretching.
I was even stretching a little bit in the big crowd at the starting line as we all anxiously awaited the beginning of the race. (That's yours truly there in the headband, click the photo for a larger view ... or don't.)
And you know what? It all paid off.
Most of my training has been plagued with shin splints, strained leg muscles and other annoying aches and pains. But that’s usually because I don’t spend as much time stretching as all the experts have been suggesting.
So I finally fully took the advice I’ve been writing about and felt great — not only halfway through the race, but also as I crossed the finish line and even walking around afterwards.
Now I can apply my lessons learned and increase my goals as I train for one more 5K in the fall. I can successfully check off running the entire race without hurting myself and now look ahead to improving on my pace and time (30 minutes, 50 seconds).
In the meantime, here’s another bunch of local, upcoming races and events for you to check out. For more information about each, and a list of other races, check out www.runmichigan.com.
July 25 — Heart of the Hills 5K run/walk and 10K run, Bloomfield Hills
July 25 — Gopher the Gold 5K/10K run and kids fun run, Shelby Township
Aug. 1 — ACT for Autism 5K run and 1 mile walk, Bloomfield Hills
Aug. 2 — Eastpointe Lions Club Ox Roast Run 5K fun run and 1 mile walk, Eastpointe
Aug. 6 — Stony Creek Distance Run 5K run and 1 mile run, Shelby Township
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Taking the Highland road
One of Michigan’s hiking gems is literally in metro Detroit's backyard.
The Highland Recreation Area — located in White Lake Township roughly 15 miles west of Pontiac — has amazing trails, diverse plant life and thriving wildlife. For me, it was just a short drive up Telegraph Road and down M-59.
I hiked a couple of the trails June 30 and was amazed at how much they were like trails I had hiked in the northern Lower Peninsula and at how quiet and peaceful the park was.
The first trail I hiked took me around Haven Hill Lake and offered some great views of the lake and dense forest, complete with huge tress that were uprooted by a recent storm, that made me wonder if I was going to get out.
The other trail led me to the ruins of Edsel Ford’s Haven Hill Estate, which used to encompass the entire grounds of the park.
After a good hike up a steady incline that is the old drive for the Ford estate, you get to the ruins.
The first thing you notice is that it wasn’t much of an estate because all that you see is a lone, smallish cabin, but that was just the old servants quarters.
Further into the site, you see an old wooden archway and the remains of a large stone fireplace.
These, the foundation and the pool are the only signs left of the main house that burned to the ground roughly a decade ago. They are a great examples of how quickly nature takes back a developed site.
While the ruins are truly the stars of the Highland hikes, not to be out done is the plant and animal life.
One of the trails, marked No. 25 on the park's maps, is home to a representation of every tree that grows in Michigan.
And on my Tuesday hike, I saw a deer that stared me down from across the drive heading to the estate ruins and a family of turkeys along with the requisite muskrats and numerous songbirds.
Hiking Highland is definitely worth the 90-minute roundtrip drive from most parts of metro Detroit, $6 park day pass and the roughly $9 in gas it takes to get there.
Monday, July 6, 2009
One final thought from the pitch
Before the spring prep sports season and last school year completely dissipate from my memory (and notes and tape recorder), there was one final thought I wanted to relay — a Macomb County girls soccer team will win a state title in the next five years.
The Macomb Area Conference Red Division has produced the last two straight Division 1 runners-up, as Utica Eisenhower and Grosse Pointe North fell in the past state finals.
“Any team from Macomb who can make it that far to the final, we’re proud of that,” Ike coach Mehrdad Nekoogar said after his team fell in overtime of this year’s final to Portage Central — marking the first time a team from Macomb County reached a final regardless of division.
“We wanted to present our county in every opportunity we get, and we want to show to everybody that we have nothing less than any other counties,” Nekoogar added. “And I think we’re going to do that — not only this year, going forward — we’re going to do that.”
Although both squads will lose some elite players, including Ike’s Alyssa Telang (Kentucky) and North’s Olivia Stander (Michigan State) — there is plenty of up-and-coming talent throughout the county and MAC.
Just take a quick look at the girls soccer All-Conference teams, which we ran in most of our papers recently and online, and it’s easy to see the best may be yet to come for the MAC squads.
Underclassmen nearly picked up just as many spots on the honor teams as their upperclassmen counterparts. Sophomores were named the MVP in the MAC Red (Chippewa Valley’s Didi Dedvukaj) and MAC White (L’Anse Creuse North’s Angela Vultaggio) divisions. The MAC Blue MVP was Daniella Bruce of Anchor Bay — a freshman.
The class which recently finished it’s sophomore year seems to be especially talented, including Utica Ford II’s Taylor Niewoit, Grosse Pointe South’s Chelsea MacGriff, Utica Eisenhower’s Megan Marsack and Aubrey Sudomier, Utica High’s Rachel Chaney and Sterling Heights High’s Alex Kluz.
There are a few different reasons behind the new wealth of talent.
First and foremost is the expansion of top tier local clubs.
More, and better, clubs means more, and better, coaching when players aren’t playing for their high school.
“It’s much better than what it used to be,” L’Anse Creuse North coach Scott Boice said. “There are more opportunities now. It’s not just parents coaching.”
Boice said the talent boom began a few years ago and has really taken off lately, noting that the 1999 Women’s World Cup (which the American team won here on their home soil 10 years ago July 10) played a big part in inspiring today’s prep stars. Many athletic girls now specialize in the sport — picking it up at a young age, specializing in it and playing it year round.
“It’s a real popular sport with girls right now,” Boice said. “We have a situation at our school, if we didn’t have soccer, our track team would be competing for the state title. “We’re fortunate we’re getting the athletes coming out for soccer than other sports.”
The Macomb Area Conference Red Division has produced the last two straight Division 1 runners-up, as Utica Eisenhower and Grosse Pointe North fell in the past state finals.
“Any team from Macomb who can make it that far to the final, we’re proud of that,” Ike coach Mehrdad Nekoogar said after his team fell in overtime of this year’s final to Portage Central — marking the first time a team from Macomb County reached a final regardless of division.
“We wanted to present our county in every opportunity we get, and we want to show to everybody that we have nothing less than any other counties,” Nekoogar added. “And I think we’re going to do that — not only this year, going forward — we’re going to do that.”
Although both squads will lose some elite players, including Ike’s Alyssa Telang (Kentucky) and North’s Olivia Stander (Michigan State) — there is plenty of up-and-coming talent throughout the county and MAC.
Just take a quick look at the girls soccer All-Conference teams, which we ran in most of our papers recently and online, and it’s easy to see the best may be yet to come for the MAC squads.
Underclassmen nearly picked up just as many spots on the honor teams as their upperclassmen counterparts. Sophomores were named the MVP in the MAC Red (Chippewa Valley’s Didi Dedvukaj) and MAC White (L’Anse Creuse North’s Angela Vultaggio) divisions. The MAC Blue MVP was Daniella Bruce of Anchor Bay — a freshman.
The class which recently finished it’s sophomore year seems to be especially talented, including Utica Ford II’s Taylor Niewoit, Grosse Pointe South’s Chelsea MacGriff, Utica Eisenhower’s Megan Marsack and Aubrey Sudomier, Utica High’s Rachel Chaney and Sterling Heights High’s Alex Kluz.
There are a few different reasons behind the new wealth of talent.
First and foremost is the expansion of top tier local clubs.
More, and better, clubs means more, and better, coaching when players aren’t playing for their high school.
“It’s much better than what it used to be,” L’Anse Creuse North coach Scott Boice said. “There are more opportunities now. It’s not just parents coaching.”
Boice said the talent boom began a few years ago and has really taken off lately, noting that the 1999 Women’s World Cup (which the American team won here on their home soil 10 years ago July 10) played a big part in inspiring today’s prep stars. Many athletic girls now specialize in the sport — picking it up at a young age, specializing in it and playing it year round.
“It’s a real popular sport with girls right now,” Boice said. “We have a situation at our school, if we didn’t have soccer, our track team would be competing for the state title. “We’re fortunate we’re getting the athletes coming out for soccer than other sports.”
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