CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The high school girls soccer season has kicked off in Michigan and one player began her campaign with an impressive display of scoring.
On Monday, Clinton High School's Aubrey Lauer found the back of the net six times en route to a season-opening 8-2 victory over Tecumseh.
"It was really important because it was Tecumseh and all the goals we got," Lauer said. "Just made us really confident in starting off the season."
The Redwolves avenged a one-goal loss last year to their county rivals and will aim to build off that result as they pursue a fourth straight Lenawee County Athletic Association title.
Lauer is an important piece to that quest. She scored 58 goals in 2023 to lead Clinton as a sophomore and picked up right where she left off on April 1.
"She will continue to score and continue to go," head coach Marla Erickson said. "She worked very hard for those shots and made sure they all went in."
The electric forward certainly has a nose for the net and described what she looks for when her team has possession.
"Once the midfielders get the ball I choose what side I want to be on," Lauer said. "Then, I'll receive the ball and dribble past people to score."
Lauer's six goals came as a surprise to her, but she noted that type of performance aligns with Clinton's aspirations for the 2024 season. She not only wants to surpass her scoring mark from last year but also help push her squad to a district title, a mark the Redwolves haven't achieved since 2016.
"Has a nose for the goal, that's her specialty," Erickson said. "She has really good technical skills as well."
A knack for the field and devotion that plays off of it. Lauer's impact on the sport reaches beyond the white lines.
"She's always involved in soccer, she comes to camps with me and helps work with kids on the side," Erickson said. "She's a dominant player on our club team too so we're lucky to have her."
Aubrey Lauer is WTOL 11's Athlete of the Week sponsored by Dave's Running.