<p>In attempting to rebound from a losing season, the Greenwood girls soccer team is demonstrating an ability to get as many players involved as possible.</p>
<p>Ten different Woodmen have scored at least one goal as the team got off to a fast start with victories in six of its first nine matches this season. It’s the type of unselfishness fifth-year coach Joe Mushrush likes to see.</p>
<p>Greenwood’s roster includes two seniors, but neither starts.</p>
<p>“The potential is something we talk about a lot because we’ve won some games we should have won and we’ve struggled in games we shouldn’t have struggled in,” Mushrush said. “The Martinsville game (a 1-0 loss) is one we wish we had back, but the goal for the rest of the year is to compete.</p>
<p>“We know the sectional is a big challenge. At the same time, if we want to compete this year or next year, the rest of the season is going to be really valuable to us. It’s a challenge, but it’s not one we’re trying to avoid.”</p>
<p>Almost as if by design, Greenwood’s top scorers represent different classes. Sophomore midfielder Masha Graber leads with five goals this season, followed by freshman Emily Metzger’s four. Tied with three apiece are juniors Alicia Ader, Olivia Brawley and Shelby Hanson.</p>
<p>The Woodmen are 6-3 following Monday’s loss at Greenfield-Central. They sit third in the Mid-State Conference with a 3-2 mark entering today’s match at league co-leader Plainfield.</p>
<p>“We’re really junior- and sophomore-heavy, which is good because they’ve got enough experience to know how to play and what to do,” Mushrush said. “But they’re also not too experienced yet. They still make some mistakes that we can coach up and help with.</p>
<p>“All three of our freshmen this year have contributed in a big way, and we kind of anticipated that.”</p>
<p>Metzger and Josie Oshsner have started every match for Greenwood. Another ninth-grader, forward Abby Davis, has started twice. Ader and two Woodmen defenders, juniors Brooklee Dotson and Izzi Zekalo, are tri-captains.</p>
<p>Another 11th-grader, goalkeeper Kiley Hankenhoff, had 37 saves in the first eight matches, including a pair of shutouts against Beech Grove and Whiteland. Davis and junior Alyssa Critser have two goals each.</p>
<p>This is a noticeable departure from last season’s 5-10-2 Woodmen squad that scored 20 goals all season and were outscored, 36-0, over the final six matches.</p>
<p>Zekalo feels the infusion of talented freshmen has been a positive.</p>
<p>"When I was in middle school we didn’t have a soccer team yet," said Zekalo, a two-year starter who didn’t play as a freshman. "These girls are prepared, which is good because we don’t have to go backwards.</p>
<p>"It’s not about seniority. It’s more about if you’re good, you play. If you’re not, you try to get better."</p>
