Ben Murphy
Sports Scene
They were district champions last year. The Freeland Falcon girls soccer team is off to a strong 7-0-1 start to this year, but first-year head coach Lauren DeRoo isn’t anywhere near satisfied.
“I look forward to the rest of the season,” she said. “We’re doing pretty well so far, but I think that we can only get better. There’s only more to come.”
If DeRoo’s prognostication proves true, it could mean exciting things for the Falcons. Aside from a 1-1 tie with Bay City Western, Freeland has dominated its opponents, outscoring them 43-2.
“I feel like they’re really coming together as a team,” DeRoo said. “Having a new coach is tough. They definitely respect me, which I appreciate. I play a different style than what they are used to, but they are very dedicated and are learning fast. My starters are a very good group of athletes with a lot of background in soccer, which is great.”
DeRoo, who played collegiate soccer for Schoolcraft College and for Saginaw Valley State University, and who coaches the Midland Fusion travel soccer team, isn’t surprised with her team’s progress. “Everybody works well together,” she said. “We kind of feed off each other. It’s kind of like a support system that we have with each other. If somebody gets burned, the team recognizes that and say that it’s my turn to step up. They don’t want to let each other down, which is a great feeling.”
DeRoo was actually hired to be the team’s strength and conditioning coach near the end of last season by former head coach Rodrigo Barassi. It was just before districts, and she was given the task of getting the Falcons into prime shape for the playoffs.
“I think they had some kind of comfort level with me,” she said of transitioning to head coach. “I’m not sure that they trusted me, but they had a comfort level with me. Now, we’re like a big family, we trust each other, and everybody works hard.”
Just three girls graduated from last year’s team, including all-state selection Darby McCracken. The Falcons have been getting strong play from the likes of Taryn Taugher (eight goals), Michelle Herring (seven goals), Gabby Mills (seven goals), Kelsey Ropp (captain), and Macey Miller (captain).
“Ropp and Miller, they are both seniors and my two captains,” DeRoo said. “They do a really good job getting them warmed up, getting them focused and ready to go. When I get there, I don’t have any problems, we just get right into it. They’re good leaders.”
Add in the hard work, the comfort level, and the family atmosphere, and the Falcons will take the results, whatever they may be, the rest of the year. Although if they get that perfect mixture, the results should be exactly what they’re looking for.
“Well, for the rest of season, I really hope we don’t lose a game,” DeRoo said. “We just want to become an even better team and just continue to grow. We want to win our district and move further than we did last year. Hopefully we can win our regional. Our hope is that all the hard work and dedication will get us a regional title.”
DeRoo may be a first-year head coach, but she’s already well aware of what it will take for her team to make a good run in the postseason.
“Lots of conditioning, running, making sure that the girls are fit, and making sure that they’re technically sound and tactically ready,” DeRoo said. “We have to go over drills and set plays and make sure they’re ready for whatever comes at them. You can kind of tell what kind of competition you will have, but you never know until you hit the field. Hard work and dedication, that’s what’s going to get us there.”