Girls soccer season preview

Emily Metzger finished the first half of her high school soccer career with 22 goals, 11 assists and the undivided attention of every Greenwood opponent.

In an attempt to go next level, the junior forward’s busy summer itinerary included participating in camps at Butler and Purdue.

Any morsel of information she can attain would be of benefit — and appreciated. The same holds true for playing with and against other camp attendees from other parts of the state and beyond.

“Now that I know I want to play soccer in college, it’s to know what they’re looking for in college players,” said Metzger, whose 15 goals helped lead the Woodmen to a 9-7 mark last season. “They would pinpoint things like high communication, fitness level and just being a good teammate all around.”

Not surprisingly, Metzger is one of three Woodmen captains for the upcoming season, joining senior Selena Piñon and junior Josie Ochsner.

Greenwood’s first match is Aug. 18 at Franklin.

Not the squad’s most vocal leader by any stretch, Metzger finds other ways to help bring along younger, less experienced players in coach Joe Mushrush’s program.

“A lot of it is sheer willpower. Emily demands the type of excellence those type of players do and had just a great year,” Mushrush said. “When Emily was a freshman, she led by playing hard by her quality of play.

“She’s kind of quiet, but she always works hard.”

Metzger was all of 4 when introduced to the sport by her father, Michael. Her desire to excel on the pitch increased with each passing year; she truly became enamored with the sport in middle school.

“What I enjoy about soccer is being at the center of all of the decision making,” Metzger said. “Obviously, I haven’t made every shot I’ve taken, but it never gets old because you always have a situation that you can make with a cut or pass.

“It’s constantly changing, and you have to adjust based on the defense.”

The recent ventures to Indianapolis and West Lafayette marked the first time Metzger had attended soccer camp since taking part in one at Notre Dame in middle school.

A two-time member of the Daily Journal’s All-County team, Metzger, who tallied at least two goals on five occasions as a sophomore (including four in a 4-0 shutout of Beech Grove), remains determined to make her final two seasons in Greenwood colors even more productive.

Her coach has no doubts whatsoever.

“I want Emily’s success to translate into team success,” Mushrush said. “For her, personally, there are still parts of her game she can work on and improve, and I have no doubt she will. Just the way she works and conducts herself in the classroom, she’s the total package.”

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Mike Beas
Mike Beas is the Daily Journal's veteran sports reporter. He has been to more than 200 Indiana high schools, including 1990s visits to Zionsville to profile current Boston Celtics GM Brad Stevens, Gary Roosevelt to play eventual Purdue All-American Glenn Robinson in HORSE (didn’t end well) and Seeger to visit the old gym in which Stephanie White, later the coach of the Indiana Fever, honed her skills in pickup games involving her dad and his friends. He can be reached at [email protected].