CHEBOYGAN – Facing one of the league's most prolific offenses, Autumn Gingrich didn't back down.
Instead, Cheboygan's senior defender relished the challenge of playing against the undefeated McBain Northern Michigan Christian Academy Comets last week. But while the Chiefs narrowly missed handing the Comets their first loss, Gingrich, the finicky leader of Cheboygan's back line, was all over the game, breaking up the offense and winning 50-50 possessions. He helped the Chiefs tie the game 1-1. .
Basically, she was doing what a captain is supposed to do: lead by example.
“As a captain, I love cheering up the girls before games. That's one of my favorite things to do,” Gingrich said. “I like being able to give useful criticism. When I'm out there, I might not look like the nicest guy, but they're just us captains trying to help them.” I know it's a very interesting role for the team.”
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Being a vocal leader is so important to Gingrich that she was named one of three team captains before her senior campaign began. Since then, Gingrich, along with fellow senior captain Vera Reil, have formed a solid defensive partnership that has been crucial for the Chiefs as they have won their first five shutouts of the season.
But becoming strong defensively required hard work and wasn't always fun, Gingrich said.
“It was tough at first, but (coach Tom Markham) had us do drills in practice that we all hated, but it ended up being really helpful,” Gingrich said. “Defensively, I think me and (Vera) Reil know where we’re going and we know how to communicate with each other without talking.”
The path to becoming one of Cheboygan's standout players on the field was a fascinating one for Gingrich, who joined the varsity team late in his sophomore year. Last year, she played a role in Cheboygan's defense and did well enough to earn Northern Michigan Soccer League honors.
If necessary, Gingrich will speak up. But she's also there to encourage teammates who may be struggling at some point, like what captains do.
“For me, (being named captain) means making a charm that I put in my bag before every game, cheering up the girls before the game and giving them confidence after the game, especially when they lost or were crying. It means you can have ', whatever, and left the field sadly. We as captains are trying to stay confident,” Gingrich said.
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Gingrich, who is nearing the end of his high school career, has learned a lot from the Cheboygan program. But if anything, she accepts that her opponents are troublesome defenders they don't want to deal with.
“This was the only soccer experience I had and I loved it. I think Mr. Markham is a very hard-working coach,” Gingrich said. “It can be frustrating at times, but I think learning from my mistakes, especially here in Cheboygan, is what takes me out of football.
“I learned to play rough and not take anything from anyone.”
Cheboygan will travel to Houghton Lake on Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf.jgreenleaf@gannett.com.Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter@SportsCDT
