Plymouth's girls soccer team has not allowed a post-season goal this spring. (Ed Wright photo)

BY ED WRIGHT
June 16, 2010, 10:15 a.m.

  Looking for a nice, relaxing spot to take an uninterrupted nap of, let's say, oh, about 110 minutes?

  Try the grassy area inside the net the Plymouth girls soccer team is defending. It's a parcel of real estate that has been touched by a soccer ball just once in over two weeks.

  With Wednesday night's shoot-out victory over No. 1-ranked Portage Central, the Wildcats are headed to Saturday's Division 1 title game set for 3 p.m. at Michigan State University against KLAA neighbor Novi.

  Following are brief profiles of the Plymouth players who returned questionnaires to PlymouthCantonSports.com. Special thanks to Ed Hengesh for providing several of the photos.

MARISSA WILLIAMS

NUMBER: 0

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Junior

POSITION: Goal-keeper

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Soccer (three-year starter)

ROLE MODEL: My grandfather, Poppy. He's my support always and won't ever miss a game...even at age 87!

FIRST GOAL: In third grade I played defense and I scored. A dad on the team was videotaping the game, but turned it off right before I scored.

BEST PART OF YOUR GAME: Getting myself mentally prepared in tough games, and keeping that for the entire game.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS TEAM: This is the first team I've played on in my life that everyone is comfortable with each other. It helps carry us through the good and the bad times.

QUOTE: "I still have one year left of high school (she'll be attending Western Michigan University beginning in the fall of 2011), but I don't want this year to end."

McKENZIE HENGESH

NUMBER: 14

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Junior

POSITION: Forward

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Soccer (three letters)

ROLE MODEL: My grandma Glenda because she's been through a lot, including a battle with cancer, and she is still always happy, always has a smile on her face and makes everyone around her happy.

FAVORITE PRO ATHLETE: Brett Favre because he plays football for his absolute love of the game, not for the money. And any pro soccer player who doesn't fake flop.

BEST PART OF YOUR GAME: I have great instincts on the field. Every game I surprise myself with my accidental "moves" and skills.

FIRST HIGH SCHOOL GOAL: Freshman year, header against Salem.

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT TEAM: All season we were looked at as the underdogs, actually we were never really looked at. We never were supposed to make it this far, but every game these girls step out on the field and battle their hearts out. It's an amazing experience.

GPA: 3.6

KATELYN WATSON

NUMBER: 6

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Sophomore

POSITION: Mid-Field/Keeper

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Cross country, basketball and soccer

ROLE MODEL: My parents

FAVORITE PRO ATHLETE: Brandi Chastain

FIRST GOAL: When I was 5 years old playing for the Sharks.

BEST PART OF MY GAME: I can play any position coach needs me to play.

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS TEAM: I like how close we are and all the good friends on the team I have.

GPA: 3.94

VITTORIA MILLER

NUMBER: 12

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Junior

POSITION: Mid-Field

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Has lettered in soccer three years.

ROLE MODEL: I admire and look up to my mom, whose determination and strength show up in every aspect of her life. If I end up a quarter of the woman she is, I'm sure I'll be able to accomplish great things. And as awkward as it may seem to have  a role model my own age, my boyfriend, Maxx, whose easy-going, yet successful character reminds me to work hard, play hard and enjoy the little things.

FIRST GOAL: HA! I never score! Winning balls and distributing is my job. I leave scoring to the forwards.

BEST PART OF YOUR GAME: The best part of my game is being strong, winning balls and defending. I'm one of the shortest players out there, but when I shut the other team down and win those 50/50's, I feel taller than Katie Moss.

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS TEAM: I love this team because we're a family. I know they'll be there for me and I'll always be there for them.

GPA: 3.4

ASHLEY MELNICK

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Sophomore

NUMBER: 16

POSITION: Forward

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Soccer

ROLE MODELS: My mom and dad

FIRST GOAL: I scored my first goal on my first team when I was 6. My first goal in high school came with 30 seconds left in my first game.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT SOCCER: "I love the feeling of working hard and getting the ball in the net. Playing as a team for one goal - to win!

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS TEAM: What I like about this  team is that my teammates are fun, hard-working and committed. It definitely has been an awesome experience.

GPA: 4.0

JESSICA SCOTT

NUMBER: 17

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Sophomore

POSITION: Mid-field

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Volleyball and soccer

ROLE MODEL: My dad

FIRST GOAL: I was 6 years old playing on a co-ed team called the Canton Blueberries.

FAVORITE PRO ATHLETE: Cristiano Ronaldo

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS TEAM: I love how close the team is. It really has an impact on how we connect on the field.

GPA: 4.0

MEEGHAN HUGHES

NUMBER: 20

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Senior

CO-CAPTAIN

POSITION: Defense

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Four-year letter-winner in soccer

ROLE MODEL: My biggest role models are my family; they are always there to support and love me.

FIRST GOAL: When I was 5 playing for the Tornados

FAVORITE PRO OR COLLEGE ATHLETE: My favorite college athlete is Blair White from Michigan State. I admire his determination and work ethic on and off the field. Starting as a walk-on then earning a scholarship and becoming captain of the football team.

BEST PART OF YOUR GAME: Winning the ball in the air and taking a striker one on one.

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS TEAM: The best part about this year's team is working as one to make it all the way to the Final Four!

GPA: 3.98

STEPHANIE DILLON

NUMBER: 4

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Freshman

POSITION: Mid-field

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Soccer

ROLE MODELS: My whole family, especially my sister, Stacey

FIRST GOAL: I was about 4 or 5 on a break-away for a team call the Mean Machines.

FAVORITE PRO OR COLLEGE PLAYER: Lindsay Tarpley because she played for my club team (Hawks), favorite college team (North Carolina) and now she plays on the U.S. National Team. I also like Steve Smith because he plays for my favorite football team, the Carolina Panthers.

BEST PART OF YOUR GAME: The best parts of my game are probably my crosses and shots.

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS TEAM: We're all really close and work together as a team.

MORGAN KLABUNDE

NUMBER: 19

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Freshman

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Soccer

ROLE MODELS: My sister Kaitlyn and my mom and dad

FIRST GOAL: I was 4 playing for a Plymouth recreational team.

FAVORITE PRO OR COLLEGE ATHLETE: Miki Djerisilo and Vahid Assadpour

BEST PART OF YOUR GAME: My speed

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS TEAM: My teammates are very entertaining.

KATIE MOSS

NUMBER: 18

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Junior

POSITION: Defense

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Basketball (two) and soccer (three)

ROLE MODEL: My role models are my parents and my older sister, Courtney.

FAVORITE PRO OR COLLEGE PLAYER: I don't have any favorite athletes.

FIRST GOAL: I scored my first goal when I was 5. I was on the Storm (Marissa Williams was on the team with me. We've played together every year since.)

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS TEAM: The thing I like the most about this team is that all of us are friends and we get along really well.

GPA: 3.77

ALYSSA BURRIS

NUMBER: 3

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Sophomore

POSITION: Defense

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Basketball and soccer

ROLE MODEL: My grandpa

FIRST GOAL: I was 9 and my team was the Cheetahs.

FAVORITE PRO OR COLLEGE ATHLETE:
Derek Jeter

BEST PART OF YOUR GAME: Defending one-on-one and I have always been told I am a good passer.

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS TEAM: "We are so close. We are basically like family.

GPA: 3.66.

ZOE FOSTER

NUMBER: 10

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Freshman

POSITION: Mid-field

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Soccer

ROLE MODEL: My oldest brother, Ryan

FIRST GOAL: I was 5 years old and playing for the Golden Girls.

FAVORITE PRO ATHLETES: Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney

BEST PART OF YOUR GAME: Making quick and smart decisions

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS TEAM: Everyone gets along well together and works well together.

GPA: 3.3

ABBY LIVINGSTON

NUMBER: 8

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Sophomore

POSITION: Mid-field

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Soccer

ROLE MODEL: Definitely my parents and my older sister. They inspire me to do my best every day.

FIRST GOAL: My first goal was for the Canton Bulldogs U5. I was the only girl on the team.

FAVORITE PRO OR COLLEGE PLAYER: I love Niklas Lidstrom on the Red Wings. He is a great athlete and a great leader for his team.

BEST PART OF YOUR GAME: The best part of my game is when everything is "clicking" between my teammates and I. Whenever I play a really good ball that gives us an opportunity to score, I feel like I helped make that happen. I really think it helps that we are so close, too.

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS TEAM: My favorite thing about this team is that even when we are down and not expected to win, we somehow get the confidence, pick each other up, and prove to everyone that we are a force to be reckoned with.

GPA: 4.0

KATELYN QUINLAN

NUMBER: 15

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Sophomore

POSITION: Mid-field

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Two varsity soccer letters

ROLE MODEL: My older sisters because I look up to them and they are always there for me with great advice.

FIRST GOAL: I was 5 years old and playing for the Tigers.

FAVORITE PRO ATHLETE: Carlos Bocanegra

BEST PART OF YOUR GAME: I read the field well and try to always make the smart play.

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS TEAM: We are extremely close.

GPA: 3.9

JENNIFER BABCOCK

NUMBER: 13

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Junior

POSITION: Mid-field

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Three-year starter in soccer

ROLE MODEL: My younger sister is my role model; she makes me want to be better every day.

FIRST GOAL: When I was 5 playing for the Canton Tigers.

FAVORITE PRO OR COLLEGE ATHLETE: My favorite pro athlete is Ronaldhino. I have never seen anybody do what he can with the ball while in a game.

BEST PART OF YOUR GAME: The best part of my game is my ability to strike the ball.

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS TEAM: I like how we all love each other just as much as we love the game. That's what wins championships.

STEPHANIE SHERIDAN

NUMBER: 5

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Sophomore

POSITION: Forward

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Soccer

ROLE MODEL: My role models are my older brothers Matt and Justin. They are the toughest guys I know and they would do anything for me. I will always follow in their footstpes because I know that their determination to succeed and their strength has gotten them through a lot in life.

FIRST GOAL: I scored my first goal when I was 5 for a Canton rec team called the Sharks.

BEST PART OF YOUR GAME: When I get past other players and help my team score.

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS TEAM: They are very accepting and I love playing with them.

GPA: 3.3

MEGAN PEPLINSKI

NUMBER: 21

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Sophomore

POSITION: Forward

SPORTS LETTERED IN: Soccer (two years)

ROLE MODELS: My dad and the Hengesh family.

FIRST HIGH SCHOOL GOAL: It was against Ann Arbor Huron last year as a freshman. It was a left-footer from 30 yards out.

FAVORITE PRO OR COLLEGE ATHLETE:
Fernando Torres.

BEST PART OF YOUR GAME: Scoring and blowing out left knee (Peplinski suffered an ACL injury in the Wildcats' District championship victory over Salem).

WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS TEAM: We are a lot of fun, like a big, happy family.