Dryden girls bounce back after slow start

The 2022 season has been one filled with challenges for the Dryden girls soccer team. The Lions have a much smaller roster than years past, with only 14 players. They lost their first two games of the season by a combined score of 9-1. Heading into their third game against Moravia on Sept. 7, head coach Janine Bennett said the team was tired after playing the day prior.

Despite the tough circumstances, Dryden eased past the Blue Devils 9-0, beginning a six-game winning streak that put the Lions back over .500 and back into postseason contention. As it turned out, the 0-2 start was actually beneficial for multiple reasons.

“We always try to get our non-league games to be some of our toughest competition just to kind of find our weaknesses and expose us,” Bennett said. “Losing our first two games against two tough teams was OK. It exposed us and let us develop and work on what was exposed, and it got us in a great place to get started for league play.”

Because the Lions have very few substitutes at their disposal, they’ve had to play smarter and more efficiently. That hard work has led to some eye-catching performances, including 14-0 and 15-0 routs against Whitney Point. What makes their attack even more remarkable is that the goals have come from everywhere on the pitch.

“[Our smart play] allows us to create some optimal chances,” Bennett said. “Everybody’s got to be involved in our play. It can’t be a one-girl rodeo. If that’s the case, we’re a pretty easy team to play against. So, I think it does create a lot of opportunities to open up the scoring for a lot of types.”

One player that has stood out is Ally Deeley. The senior midfielder is the top scorer on the Lions, including a five-goal performance against Moravia and a four-goal outing in Dryden’s second meeting with Whitney Point. Deeley is far from just a goalscorer, however. She’s also racked up plenty of assists and consistently wins back possession, making her a true all-around midfielder.

“Ally can do it all,” Bennett said. “She’s one of several players who can do it all, but Ally does stand up and above. She’s so darn competitive, and that’s in her personality. She has that will to win, so she’ll do whatever it takes for her to be successful.”

Defensively, the Lions have been just as imposing, keeping five clean sheets so far. Bennett gives equal praise for each of her defenders and goalkeepers.

“We have a nice group of returning players,” Bennett said. “Emma Lobdell holds us down pretty well in the back, and she’s another competitor to no end. She hates to lose. She hates to give up a goal. Sam Brown played back there last year, so that’s another good thing. We rotate Claudia Bachner, who also plays in goal. So, we’ve got a lot of experience. And then, we’ve brought up Jill Miller, who is a freshman, and she’s just outstanding back there. She’s picking things up every day. She’s better out there, and she’s another kid with that competitive, fiery spirit that says, ‘If I make a mistake, I want to know to make it better next time.’”

Dryden’s winning streak came to an end Sept. 19 after losing at Lansing 3-0 in a game that was played over the course of two days due to lightning suspending the game 6 minutes before halftime. The result serves as a learning experience that the Lions can take with them in their next meeting with the Bobcats on Oct. 5.

“It was just really difficult coming back,” Bennett said. “We lost the rhythm and feel of the game. Lansing was a good team. They run very hard. They put us under pressure, and we can’t rest. So, to be able to play 80 minutes with Lansing is something that’s going to be a focus for us, and our fitness and our ability to move the ball and pace our game is going to be crucial to get them.”

This is Bennett’s 20th season leading the Lions and her second year back since taking a six-year hiatus to watch her daughters play college soccer. While this year’s team is small in numbers, they can compete with the biggest teams in the area.

“We all have to own a role, and they accept their role and are very open to constructive criticism,” Bennett said. “They’re open to trying to make themselves better, trying to be better and overcoming the hurdles that we have. We have some players on our field who have a very young soccer age — maybe have a year under their belts — to players like Ally who has 10 years under her belt. I think it’s the combination of all of them and how they’re coming together as a unit that’s making us special.”

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