On Monday evening, the Portage Central and Portage Northern Women's Soccer teams took the field for yet another great match between the cross town rivals. The game in itself was an exciting night of soccer, and yet there is also an interesting fact about some players on both teams. Twelve of the players who took the field have a special link. Even though they were opponents for this match, at one time they were teammates. When they were 9 and 10 year olds, just learning the tactics and technical aspects of the game, they all played on the U-11 Portage Lightning under coach Ron Prange. That Portage Lightning Team was Division champs and won many tournaments together, learning the skills that would allow them all to make it to the high school level. It is a testimony to Coach Prange's coaching ability to have 12 players off that young team of 15 players end up six years later all representing their high schools and sharing a love for the game. Coach Prange and his wife, Mary, should feel a sense of pride for all the time and dedication they put in to the youth soccer program. As the girls took to the field, although no longer wearing a common green and gold jersey with a lightning bolt on the chest, the players (remembering their common link) played with tribute to a great youth coach who instilled in them a desire for this great game, we call soccer. Thanks Ron!

Front row: Emily Peterson, Christine Ketteman, Sara Meyer, Nikki Burnham, Lindsay Peterson, Megan Brown. Second row: Asst Coach Cristy Peterson, Katie Brink, Chelsea Kutcha, Ashleigh Carpentier, Head Coach Ron Prange, Caitlin Buckstaff, Sam Kowalisyn, Gretchen Schatz.