Ferndale Girls Varsity Soccer Team Prepares for Season

Spring sports are ready to kick off, and the team to open its spring season first for Ferndale is, appropriately, enough the Eagles girls varsity soccer team.

Last year’s team went 12-7-2 and lost to Lamphere 5-1 in the district semifinals. Five seniors graduated from the team, including last year’s goaltender Tina Woods.

“Last year’s class was one of the most important senior classes,” Ferndale coach Steven Motter said. “The ladies really helped change the culture of soccer within the school and community. They took a program that was average and really helped bring it to the point that it is now, where the ladies expect every year to be competitive within the division.”

Motter has been Ferndale’s coach since the girls soccer program started in 1999. The team’s best record was in 2006-2007, when the Eagles went 13-4-3, and the last time they won their division was in 2005-2006.

While last year’s girls didn’t have as good a record as the 2007 squad or win the division, Motter believes the group of girls he coached last year may have been the best team the school has ever had.

“Honestly, if I had to take everything in to account, I think that last season was our best year, talentwise,” Motter said. “We were competitive in every game, and I think that the program took a huge step toward becoming a force in the Oakland Activities Association.”

Emma Whipple will be the Eagles goalie this season. Seniors Daniell Wood and Alexis Smitowski, along with junior Molly Breen-Bondie, are the defensive stoppers. On offense, Motter said Lexie Brisson-Fast and Kelsey Wilson will be the “creative force” and “the engine that keeps the team moving.”

Motter also said sophomore Morgan Ciambelli, an outside mid, and junior Dannielle Locklear, a fullback, have really improved in the offseason, and both girls will play key roles this season.

Even with a relatively young roster, Motter expects the Eagles to compete for a division title and district championship.

“I fully expect this year's squad to compete for a top-three finish in our division (OAA White), as well as compete for a district championship,” Motter said. "Last year, we were a very competitive team, but I think that the way we exited the district tournament really helped motivate this year’s group to strive for excellence and to accept nothing less.”

The one concern Motter has is his team’s depth. Ferndale has a relatively small group of varsity and junior varsity players. If the Eagles find themselves in a situation where multiple players are injured, that could be a problem.

“By depth, I don't mean talentwise, we are as talented top to bottom on varsity as we have ever been, by sheer numbers,” Motter said. “We have 16 on varsity and struggled to find 13 to 14 on junior varsity. So with the low numbers, it is important that we stay healthy throughout the season.”

Motter encourages Ferndale fans to come watch the girls play.

“We will be as exciting to watch as we have ever been and, hopefully, as competitive as we have ever been as well,” Motter said.

The girls opened the season at Waterford Mott and lost 8-1. Their home opener is the third game of the season, 7 p.m. April 12 against Southfield-Lathrup.