After playing together for just over a month, West Michigan Edge Head Coach Mark Bell says his team is starting to “get it.”
Playing from behind after yielding two first half goals in their game against Fort Wayne Sunday at Forest Hills Central High School, the Edge responded with four unanswered scores, starting with a header from FHC alum Jake Stacy in the 38th minute. West Michigan’s leading scorer, Tom Oatley, added two goals, bringing his season total to five. Bell says his team’s turnaround was due simply to their improved teamwork.
“They just started to get organized,” Bell said. “We gave up an easy goal in the first six minutes, and that sets the tempo. When you fall behind early, you have to change some things to play catch-up and our guys did a nice job staying organized from that point on.”
With the victory, the Edge avenged their only loss on a recent road trip in which they also tied the defending Professional Development League champions, the Michigan Bucks, 0-0. The Edge are now 3-3-2 and in third place in Great Lakes Division of the PDL. According to Bell, their recent success can be attributed to each player’s better understanding of their roles on the team.
“The guys are getting to know each other a lot more.” Bell said. “They know what they can do; they know what they want to do. We are getting the players in the right spots now. We don’t have to be fancy or incredible; we just need everybody to do their job.
The Edge will be in action this coming Sunday as well, playing host to the Toronto Lynx at East Grand Rapids’ Memorial Field, followed by a Wednesday home contest against the Michigan Bucks. Bell says the upcoming part of the season is the most important thus far.
“Today’s win makes the next two games that much more important because it puts us in the position where we can get enough points to work towards the playoffs,” Bell said.
