PETOSKEY — Sometimes all you need to know when someone is getting what they need is a small sample size.
Petoskey girls soccer coach Zach Yonker saw only a few glimpses of Lauren Cole near the opponent's net last season, but if she gets close regularly, she could have a big final season in 2024. That was more than enough to know that there is.
And after that change, it only took one game for Cole to show it again.
Cole, an All-Big North player a year ago as a defensive midfielder, came close to scoring in Friday's opener as Petoskey hosts Boyne City, helped by Cole's hat trick trio of goals. They won 7-0.
“Lauren had some great finishes a year ago, so we knew she had that talent,” Jonker said. “She hits the ball with authority and is our hardest worker on the field.”
There were quite a few players to replace on that side of the field, especially with the loss of Area Player of the Year Kate Farley, so promoting Cole made all the sense in the world.
Cole is also confident that she and her teammates can make up for and fill the void of lost productivity.
“I think it can be done,” Cole said. “We have a lot of players and a lot of underclassmen have stepped up as well, starting with myself, Clara (Mylou), Annika (Gandhi), Lily (Premo) and Abby (Wonnacott). All of us. I think we can fill that role. We had a big senior class graduating, but we have some guys stepping up.”
In addition to Cole, Wonnacott, Premo, Gansey, and Bryn Yonker each scored one goal each Friday, with Cole's consecutive goals making the game go from 3-0 to 5-0.
“It felt great,” Cole said of starting the season. “It was a good way to start the season.”
more:Harbor Springs, Boyne City soccer is the first to get excited about spring.Rams win
more:A look back at 13 Petoskey Area women's soccer players you should know about in 2024
Cole has clearly shown talent and deep knowledge of the game, while also bringing a desire to get better and lead while following in the footsteps of her All-BNC sister Dana.
As a coach, you can't ask for anything more from Jonker.
“It means a lot to us to have our seniors not only lead us in scoring, but also lead us in intensity,” Yonker said. “I really appreciate all of our seniors. They each bring something different to our table.”
It was a large group of seniors who left the Norseman a season ago, but this season they have six seniors who have played a lot of soccer in the past, led by Cole, Quinn Matthews, Sidney Hoffman, and Leah Czarnecki. are gathering.
Cole also likes the group of underclassmen on this team and knows it takes everyone meshing together to make a great team.
“We all get along really well,” Cole said. “It's a lot of fun. We take it seriously, but you can still have fun away from the game.”
more:28 track and field athletes and relay teams you need to know ahead of the 2024 season
Petoskey is 1-0 to start the season and has a chance to improve on that record this week with a trip to Big Rapids on Tuesday, April 9th and a visit to Harbor Springs on Thursday, April 11th. be.
Boyne City starts the back-to-back 0-2 and will next play Traverse City St. Francis on Monday before hosting Cheboygan on Friday, April 12th.
“We're grateful that Boyne City is here,” Jonker added. “It's still early in the season and both teams are trying to understand the situation and he has a lot of new players. They are trying to understand the shape of the team and who is best where.”
Please contact or submit game stats/information to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on X, where he was previously known as Twitter (@DrewKochanny) and on his Instagram (@drewkochanny).
