Rutherford reflects on first year at Owens Community College

Press Sports Editor
sports@presspublications.com

Her résumé is impeccable.
Eastwood alum Megan Rutherford has enjoyed success coaching at her alma mater, Lake and now at Owens Community College.
While coaching Eagles girls soccer, she was named the Division III Coach of the Year, and her team won multiple district titles while flirting with a spot in the Final Four.
She turned the program into a consistent winner during her 11 years coaching at Eastwood. Her teams posted a 152-45-16 record, won four Northern Buckeye Conference championships and won four consecutive district titles. This past season coaching the Owens Express, her team went 9-4-1 and advanced to the Midwest District Championship before losing to Delta College, 4-0. Delta, which is located in Michigan, won the NJCAA Division III championship.
Rutherford talked about some of the great wins the team had.
“The Kellogg game at home stands out. They were a nationally-ranked Division II team and we beat them at home, 1-0 on a goal by Libby Ewing,” said Rutherford. “We changed up our game plan a bit, changed our formation, and our team executed it to perfection. It was so rewarding. I ran over and hugged/high-fived our athletic trainer Katlyn Gall afterwards because we were battling so many freak injuries at the time. She was holding our team together with athletic tape and sheer willpower. Just to witness the determination from our players, the work rate, the grit and resilience was so fun to watch. Then the celebration was pretty fun. We had other great moments too.
“Beating the sixth-ranked team, Rochester Community and Technical College, in the district semifinals to get to play No. 1 Delta in the finals for a shot at making the national tournament was memorable. Celebrating at Olive Garden that night and spending time together in the hotel. So many good memories. We beat St. Clair, 3-1 and we tied Jackson, 1-1 — all schools in higher divisions than us. It was all fun.”
Rutherford, who teaches math at Otsego Junior High, credited her assistants for their efforts, too.
“I had an amazing staff and the people I worked for and worked with made it so fun. It’s all about the people you surround yourself with. McKenna Encalado was an amazing assistant and I really enjoyed my time coaching with her. We know how to laugh and have a good time and she works so hard, and is willing to do anything to help. Julie Cross and Brigid Enright as volunteer goalkeeper assistants were awesome. The goalkeepers loved having them around and appreciated their time, efforts and coaching wisdom.”
Owens athletic director Shelley Whitaker had this to say about her soccer coach.
“Megan provided our program with the leadership to build a successful team culture with high expectations,” Whitaker said. “In only her first season, she quickly pushed us to (being) a postseason competitor, falling to the eventual national champion. We are excited to watch this program develop (going forward).”
Seven local alums played for Rutherford this season — Autumn Schroeder, Regan Grant and Tori Romstadt all graduated from Northwood; Delaney Coughlin and Kelsie Katschke are Clay graduates; Jillian Gladieux went to Lake and Layla McGinnis is a Woodmore alum.
Ella Demaline led the team with 11 goals, Ewing had eight, Kamryn Clifton scored seven goals and Schroeder finished with six.
Rutherford talked about the players that stood out to her.
“If you talk about one, the conversation flows right to the next player. Without one player’s success, the other’s success wouldn’t have happened. They go hand in hand. I think the players we brought in this year and the players that returned really wanted to win. They were competitors. They didn’t like losing. We had multiple players come up big in games and it was someone different each game. Multiple players scored game winners. Our defense was really solid, allowing very few goals.
“Tori and Jill were solid, reliable center backs. Jill played every minute of every game. Our outside backs, consisting of Kelsie, Emily (Marquis) and Regan were willing to put in the work and transform into backs that were willing to run the length of the field. Teagan (Postlewait) filled in that position as well due to injury and played amazingly. Our goalkeeper Layla did a great job in the net making some big saves. And that is also (a credit) to Rian Caywood and Annie Crisp in goalkeeper training as well, pushing each other to be better,” Rutherford said.
“We had midfielders who weren’t afraid to put the work in and take risks. They covered ground, tracked back defensively, but also jump started our attacks. Delaney Coughlin played nearly every minute of every game anchoring our midfield. She put in the work defensively. Maddie Graf was a tank and super reliable in the midfield. She wasn’t afraid to rip shots and keep opponents on their toes. Bre Boros had great technical skill and really helped in the build up play connecting attacks. Marleigh Rego was willing to play mid and forward and do whatever the team needed to win. If we need a goal, Kamryn Clifton, Ella Demaline, Autumn Schroeder, Libby Ewing, Bre Boros, Teagan Postlewait, Kelsie Katschke, Emily Marquis, Maddie Graf, I’m telling you it was always someone different. They had each other's backs. If someone wasn’t scoring that day, a teammate would step up and shoulder the load. That’s what I liked about these women. They cheer for each other's successes, and I loved watching it,” she said.
“Grace Munger was injured the entire season and she still came to almost everything – even to our away games. I think the team loved that,” Seeing her commitment and dedication to the team, knowing she couldn’t be rewarded with playing time. She sent the message that she cared about her teammates, and it resonated really well with them, earning Grace quite a bit of respect,” she said.