The inaugural season for the Columbus Eagles of the WPSL is over, but the Eagles and head coach Mark Wise have much to look forward to in the future. Even after finishing the last season winless, Wise was very optimistic about his team’s continued drive for excellence.
Heading into the summer of 2014, the Eagles were not quite sure of the level of competition. Being in their first season in the WPSL, Wise along with his team had to prepare quickly to face established conference foes. With the first match against Indiana FC on May 11th, many of the Eagles expected players were still arriving from their respective colleges. Not being the ideal situation, Wise had to adjust his strategy to complement the players he had available.
The first two results for the Eagles reflected the instability of the roster heading into the season. Losing the first match to Indiana FC 5-0, followed by a loss to Motor City FC 6-0 a week later, it wasn’t until the home opener on May 25th where the team began to gel. Part of establishing a roster for Wise was getting to know his players personalities both on and off the pitch.
In the losses to Indiana FC Lionesses and Motor City FC, Wise said he had the wrong players in the roster together.
“If you have an attacking midfielder that likes to control the ball next to another midfielder that plays the same way, they don’t mesh. You need to have a player that can make great runs off the ball for them to pass to.”
It was this adjustment that began to transform the Eagles attack on the field. The home opener for the Eagles results were much closer. In a 2-0 loss to FC Indiana at Wellington School, the Eagles were a much tougher side than the Lionesses saw just two weeks earlier. A defense anchored by Corie Moore continued to grow as the season progressed.
It was the leadership provided by Moore that earned her coach Mark Wise’s MVP for the season. As the team’s oldest player, her veteran leadership made a tremendous difference for the Eagles. Moore’s patience and confidence when she has the ball are two strong features of her game. Moore has experience playing alongside some of the nation’s best players and is able to use that in mentoring her teammates. During games or practice she will mention how she has played against the likes of Heather O’Reilly, Sarah Walsh, and Cristiane. It is not in a demining sense, but more of a sign of experience and leadership.
Heading into next season, one of the players Mark Wise is most looking forward to seeing is the return of midfielder Ashley Predmore. She was a late arrival to the Eagles and originally had a tough beginning to the season. Wise said that Predmore was not ready for the level of play the Eagles compete at.
“Ashley had trouble at first with our drills and the pace of the game. But as the season continued I would say she learned the most. She really has a great attitude.”
Part of being in the WPSL is the continuing search to find players to improve the roster. With 70 to 80 percent of the roster returning next season, coach Wise still has a few positions he would like to bolster. One of those areas in particular is strengthening the depth of his defense. Losing two defenders to concussions the last few weeks of the season, it proved how valuable depth can be at times. Another piece of the puzzle Wise will be looking for is a creative finisher. Wise said he will be looking for a player who can create and score on their own.
To make sure that he has a full roster of players heading into next summer, Wise said any additional players to the team might possibly be graduating college seniors who wish to continue their soccer careers, not having to then worry about conflicting class schedules near the beginning of the season.
Although it would have been nice for the Eagles to win some games this season, Wise has a plan for the road ahead. His hope is to finish near .500 next season, followed by playoff contention in the team’s third season. Under the leadership of coach Wise, the Eagles have a very bright future ahead.
