GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - In terms of wins and losses, the 2010 women's soccer team has gotten off to a frustrating start for head coach Trevor Warren. Green Bay stands at 2-4-2 through eight games, but that record in no way indicates the quality of play the Phoenix has demonstrated, especially defensively. Led by junior goalkeeper Maddie Drusch (Appleton, Wis.), Green Bay ranks first among 314 teams nationally in save percentage.
Through eight games and 760 minutes of soccer, Green Bay has faced 60 shots and allowed just four goals. The squad's save percentage of 93.3 percent is tied for first nationally with New Mexico. The Phoenix has not allowed more than a single goal in any game and has collected four shutouts.
"It's an indication of how well our defense has been playing," Warren said of the ranking. "We're in every game. It's a feeling of confidence knowing that we're being competitive with every team we play. If an opposing player does happen to break through our defense, then Maddie has come up big. It's definitely something to build on going into the conference schedule."
Green Bay will get its Horizon League schedule underway this weekend, playing road games at Cleveland State and Youngstown State on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
Drusch has been the unquestioned star for the Phoenix in 2010. The junior has made the spectacular saves along with the routine ones while also providing leadership for the entire defensive unit. Individually, she has been in the net for all but 22 minutes this season and stopped 52 shots.
"It's nice to see Maddie get some positive recognition," said Green Bay goalkeeper coach Grant Williams. "She has responded so well to the college game and has put in a lot of work over the past few years. She's really improved her game management and technique, and she's not putting herself in positions where she has to make a ton of hard saves. The biggest thing with Maddie is her mentality. She's open to criticism and soaks in every little detail, which is what you need in a goalkeeper."
That attitude and improvement has helped Drusch rank fifth nationally in save percentage (.929). She also ranks first in the Horizon League in goals against average (0.49) and save percentage, is tied for first in shutouts (3) and sits third in saves with 52.
While she gives credit not to herself but to the entire defense, it is clear that Drusch is beaming with confidence after her hot start.
"I think it's an exciting statistic for our defense. It means that we've had a chance to win every game, which is really a confidence booster to the whole team," said Drusch. "It adds a little bit of pressure, but I don't think opposing teams will look past us and they'll know we're a tough team to score against."
While frustrated by having only two wins to show for his team's strong defense, Warren knows that if Drusch and his defense keep performing among the nation's elite, the wins will eventually follow. And, if clichés hold true, championships may as well.
"I think other teams know that we're a tough challenge, and it doesn't matter who is playing us," Warren said. "We haven't conceded more than one goal, and that's a pretty good statistic. The opposition knows we'll be hard to break down, and they know they need to step up their offense to score on us. And, as they say, 'defense wins championships.'"
