By GREG CHRAPEK
With a change in strategy, the St. Johns girls soccer team is looking for big things this season.
Coach Kim Brewbaker implemented a formation change this season, and if the early results are any indication, the Redwings are in for a big season.
“We have a pretty good defensive back line this year,” Brewbaker said. “We are playing a flat back four this year, and it has been very strong for us. We have some pretty good forwards, and they have been working well with the midfielders.”
St. Johns’ back line of defenders is comprised of Katie Curley, Carly Lenneman, Emily Simon, and Mikayla Silm. Those four defenders play in front of goaltender Maddie Lake-Wickham.
The strong defensive play of the team has enabled the Redwings to begin the season with six wins in their first eight games.
“The season has been going very well,” Brewbaker said. “The girls have been playing very well. We have a relatively young team, and they have developed a very good chemistry. We’re looking forward to a real good season.”
Offensively, the Redwings are paced by forwards Megan Feldpausch and Chelsey Thelen.
Overall, this year’s St. Johns squad is a young team, as eight seniors graduated from a team that turned in a 9-8-1 record last season.
“We lost some games last year that we probably should’ve won,” Brewbaker said. “We’re running a little different formation this year, and it’s looking like it’s working out well. We have five seniors on the team right now. We have several freshmen and sophomores up, so we should be pretty strong for awhile. We lost a lot to graduation last year, but with the young kids we hope to keep bringing in, we should be pretty strong.”
Brewbaker sees a three-way battle brewing for the conference title this season between DeWitt, Haslett, and St. Johns. With a deep team featuring plenty of talent, the Redwings look to be in the thick of the battle for the league title.
“We’ve had a total team effort so far,” Brewbaker said. “Everyone has been contributing. We have a strong group of kids coming off the bench who can come in and fill in anytime. When we need a sub we can fill in without missing a beat.”