Marion will try to ‘go green’ all the way to a girls’ state soccer tournament return

For the Marion girls’ soccer team, green isn’t just a color — it’s a contract.

A tradition Marion Coach Erik Trilk instituted “six or seven years ago,” each season begins with every member of the program signing a soccer ball in green ink, symbolizing a commitment to unity and always putting forth maximum effort.

The team also wears green wristbands during games and everyone gets a green T-shirt.

It’s all part of what the Wolves call their “Go Green” tradition.

“Our team is like a family, so to us it’s really important to support one another and one of the best ways to do that is by always giving our all,” sophomore Maggie Utsinger said. “A team doesn’t work well together if one person is giving 90 percent, and another is giving 10. So signing our ‘green ball’ is a contract to always do our best.”

Marion’s green ball doesn’t sit idly once signed. It goes where the team goes as a constant reminder of the mission.

  Buy Photo

“It comes out to practice with us and it sits in the mud and the rain; sometimes we even kick it around if we’re a ball short,” Trilk said. “It travels with us. It's in every huddle we bring in.”

The 2023 Wolves reached the state tournament for the first time in program history, meaning last year’s ball holds significant value to returning players.

“This year when I was cleaning, we were getting air pumped into all the balls and there was last year’s green ball that we took to state — so faded and worn,” Trilk said. “I tossed it to Katelyn Allison and said, ‘Look, this is the one ball that has ever been to state.’ She said, ‘Well, let’s sign another ball and get it there.’

“That’s their mentality — they’re hungry.”

To return to Cownie Soccer Park in Des Moines, Marion will have to make up for the departure of 15 seniors. Fortunately, the team’s top three goal scorers from last season — Utsinger, Saleh Hill-Dale and Amerie Hall — all return.

“We're very excited about this year,” Trilk said. “It's become very evident in practices so far that we’re really bringing back a lot, and especially really good teammates.”

While experience returns on offense, there will be a change of guard at goalkeeper.

“We lost a really good one last year (Ashlen Hall) and we have a ninth grader (Josie Logan) who will be our starting varsity keeper this year,” Trilk said. “She's incredible and has the ability to really be special.

“That was the one really big hole that we were very concerned about and we are no longer concerned.”

The Wolves will need to bring their “A” game throughout Wamac Conference play in what should be a hotly contested East Division.

Independence finished last season ranked No. 5 in 2A, while Center Point-Urbana, Solon and Mount Vernon all had records of .500 or better.

“With the reshuffling of the Wamac, I don't think anyone would deny our side of the conference is more difficult,” Trilk said. “Our girls are very determined to prove that they can be the ones that finish on top.”

Injuries plagued Marion in its state quarterfinal match against eventual Class 2A state champion Dallas Center-Grimes last season. Utsinger played just briefly, and several key contributors played at far from 100 percent.

“I was injured in our substate game and wasn’t able to play (much) at state,” Utsinger said. “I showed up to the game on crutches, taped my ankle, threw a brace on and tried my best ... I played for about two minutes before I had to go out.

“We were disappointed in how the game turned out. I think the whole team is hungry to make it back but do better this time.”

So what’s the key to getting this year’s green ball to Des Moines?

Staying true to tradition.

“If we are having a tough game, just having the green on our wrists reminds us to keep trying,” Utsinger said. “I think if we keep the work up and stay as close as we are now, we are bound to have the good season I am hoping for.”

Marion’s season starts at home on Thursday against Cedar Rapids Jefferson.