Sydney Ryan isn't necessarily new to playing soccer.
But the Birmingham-Seaholm senior last played in a game as a fifth-grader, playing in an 8-on-8 youth league played on a pitch roughly half the size of his high school field.
She is currently the Maples' starting goaltender.
Starter Alexis Fortina was injured well before the season started and was sidelined. And with Seaholm barely having enough players to form a joint team, there was no back-up goalkeeper who could be promoted from the lower levels.
“We didn't have a goalie before the season started,” coach Manuel Rodriguez said after Thursday's 1-1 draw in the Oakland Activities Association crossover against Bloomfield Hills. Ta. “Then all of a sudden, someone says, 'Hey, coach, there's a 6-foot-1 volleyball player who might be able to help you.'”
“I said, 'You know what? Take her out.'” The best goalie I've ever had is (2013 Seaholm graduate) Lisa White, a 6-foot-1 volleyball player. was. And this is what we got. Great, great and I'm so proud of her. ”
The more experience Ryan gains, the more he continues to impress Rodriguez.
For example, there was a laser she stopped 14 minutes into play. The Blackhawks scored a second try on the rebound due to Ryan's failure to maintain full possession of the ball, only this time Ryan had to make a diving save towards the near post, during which time he was forced to make a diving save against the Bloomfield Hills junior. One Chiamaka Okeke accidentally rammed Ryan.
The stop drew excited applause from Rodriguez, as did Ryan's save on a Bloomfield Hills corner kick in the second half. The serve was played high in the box, right in front of Ryan. Instead of giving the Blackhawks a chance to head the ball, Ryan jumped over everyone in the scrum and immediately stole the ball.
“It was almost a joke,” Rodriguez said. “She went up there and she popped the ball out of the air. She wondered if she was really going to dunk.”
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Officially, Ryan finished with 11 saves and the Maples (1-4-2) tied for the second time against a team in OAA Red, arguably the best division in Michigan.
Neither Rodriguez nor Ryan's teammates told her she would be playing against a Bloomfield Hills team just two years after winning the Division 1 state championship. Several of the current Blackhawks contributed as underclassmen at the time, including goaltender Jennica Opdahl, who defeated Northville in a penalty shootout and gave Bloomfield Hills the first in school history in any sport. brought the state title.
Surprisingly, it was the veteran, not the rookie, who allowed the first point on Thursday night. With Bloomfield Hills having a rare defensive break, Kamryn Geller sent a cross from the near sideline toward the back post, and Samantha Schickinger beat 2023 All-Star Opdahl for the game's first goal in the 54th minute.
But the Blackhawks (2-3-1) finally forced Ryan out of position after just under six minutes. Ryan failed to react quickly enough inside the penalty area and conceded just a little too many goals. Chloe Salo's blank shot ultimately resulted in a 1-1 stalemate.
“Sydney has always had a great attitude every game, whether she's in the back of the net or not,” Rodriguez said. “I get goosebumps thinking about how great this was. She's always smiling and she never puts herself down.”
That may be thanks to the type of soccer Ryan experienced as a child.
She didn't play volleyball past elementary school, which is understandable, but she was tall and good enough to play at the Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy, which annually produces Division I players and Miss Volleyball winners. She was watching TV. Her older sister Jordan will also be competing.
Jordan, who currently plays for the Baylor University women's soccer team, played for both Detroit Country Day and the prestigious Vadard ECNL program based in southeastern Michigan.
For Sydney, the rules are not a sport, but she said her biggest challenge was understanding the intricacies of situational soccer. Fortunately, her teammates have helped her learn and grow, so she doesn't regret joining the team.
“I played with a lot of girls and knew all their parents,” Sydney said. “When a lot of them approached me and said I should be their goalie, I just wanted to do it. And it's so much fun. Great way to end my senior year. was.”
I'm not saying never, but it's unlikely that the Maples will compete for the OAA vs. White title. They have already lost to both Berkeley and Lake Orion in league play, with two of the top four teams, Clarkston and rival Birmingham Groves, the other two likely to win. It's a team.
Rodriguez is preparing for the district tournament. Seaholm should be a much-improved team by the end of the season as they continue to discover their chemistry, learn their system, and excel on the field.
And as Sidney continues to find comfort between the posts, he should have more confidence in his abilities heading into the postseason.
Thursday's tie with Bloomfield Hills was a step in the right direction. Who doesn't feel confident after only allowing one goal in the recent state championship? Like Geller and Sickinger, she contributed to the victory.
That's why Rodriguez broke the huddle with Seaholm after the game and the players shouted, “Sydney for three. 1! 2! 3! Sydney!''
Brandon Folsom covers high school sports in metropolitan Detroit for Hometown Life. Follow him on Twitter @folsombrandonj.
