Defensive-minded East Lansing girls soccer getting big lift from Zoe Hagan
Zoe Hagan got her feet wet as the last line of defense last spring as a freshman for the East Lansing girls soccer team.
And after getting that taste on the pitch last season in goal, Hagan made it a point to become more of a leader and, of course, produce some shutouts for the Trojans.
Hagan has succeeded in doing just that.
The latest LSJ high school athlete of the week winner has played a large role in a strong season for East Lansing, which is 8-2-3 entering its non-league matchup against Division 3 No. 5 Williamston on Friday. Hagan has been a big part of the defensive success for the Trojans, who have allowed just four goals this season.
Hagan has registered 11 shutouts and allowed just two goals ― both coming in a loss to DeWitt. Those shutouts included one in a 0-0 draw with Division 1 No. 4 Okemos and another in a 1-0 win over Division 2 No. 6 Mason last month.
"Everybody says oh, you have all these shutouts and have only allowed two goals, but my backline is extremely strong," Hagan said. "Yes, the personal stat is I have 11 shutouts, but my center backs and the outside backs on the team and the defensive mids, they play a huge role.
"I wouldn't have the shutouts that I have if it wasn't for how strong my backline (is.) There's very few times where I worry that I'm going to have pressure on me or where I'm going to be having to make all these saves and that sort of thing. Our season wouldn't be the way our season is if it wasn't for how strong our backline is."
The defensive success is the best for East Lansing under coach Jeff Lyon, who has been in charge since 2012. And while it has been a joint effort for the Trojans to keep teams off the scoreboard, Lyon said Hagan has displayed plenty of growth since last season while shining this spring.
"The shutouts go to the goalkeeper and they deserve it 100%, but I think the backline that we've developed and the defensive persona we've had this whole season ― it's kind of been our badge of honor as a group to say we've posted this many shutouts or we've only given up so many goals," Lyon said.
"For our team and for our girls this year, we take a lot of pride in keeping people out of the net and (Zoe has) been the face of that this season."
With the season in its final stages, East Lansing hopes to keep shining defensively as it chases success in the postseason.
"I think definitely as the season has grown and gone on, we've definitely gotten a lot more confidence defensively," Hagan said. "We're still a relatively younger team and only have five seniors.
"Definitely with the underclassmen (as) outside backs and the defensive mids, they definitely have grown in confidence. Seeing how the outside backs have worked with the center backs to keep everything together ― they've grown a strong connection so that's been good."
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Zoe Hagan helping East Lansing girls soccer shut down opponents
