The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Big Reds field experienced squad
Jessica Young and Meredith Rizor eye career record book
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: March 22, 2007
Look at last year's roster for the Milan varsity girls' soccer team. Look at this year's. Now count.
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Your eyes do not deceive you. Nine of last year's 11 starters are returning, including all but one of the team's top five scorers.
"We have a very strong core of kids returning," said coach Phil Zuber. "We are bringing back so many players from last year."
This is the core of players that have pioneered the program's ascension in recent years. Many of them have played together since middle school. They know each other's tendencies and strengths. Time does not have to be spent building and assessing chemistry –– it's already there, Zuber said.
"They have seen a lot of time together," he said. "We don't have to spend practice time on them getting to know each other. We're already working on game-specific situations."
Having a team that is already fluid and experienced gives Zuber a refreshing opportunity to experiment with different offensive and defensive strategies.
"We're going to up the level of our play," said Zuber. "We've kind of grown together and now we can do things in practice that we couldn't five years ago."
Fans this year can expect to see more than just traps, Zuber said.
Among the nine returning starters, the Big Reds welcome back the speed of Jessica Young and the footskills of Meredith Rizor.
"They're going to be a very good forward combination," Zuber said.
The two combined for 36 of the team's 74 goals last year (Young with 21 and Rizor with 15). Young is within shot of claiming the top spot in career points and career goals. She is only 12 points away from Andrea Howe's record of 69 career points and 10 goals away from Natalie Brown's high of 49 career goals.
To take over the lead in career assists from Ashley Laskey, who had 34, Rizor needs only 13 assists. Last year, she had 14.
Also back is Stephanie Sell, a veteran outside midfielder who poses an offensive threat. Sell scored 11 goals last year.
Back, too, is Sarah Towler, who last year recorded 11 assists and five goals.
"The whole team will revolve around Sarah," Zuber said. "She is one of the most important cogs in the machine."
The Big Reds appear poised to break through this year.
Four of the past five years the Big Reds have finished second in the Huron League behind Grosse Ile. Last year, Milan recorded its first win against the Red Devils with a 1-0 shutout, possibly portending good things to come. And while Zuber said he is reluctant to talk about goals right now, he admitted that a league championship is well within reach.
"On paper, I'd like to think we have a good chance against anyone," he said. "We've made some remarkable strides."
This could be a big year.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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