Sikorski does the dirty work for Frontier

by Matthew Ondesko: Managing Editor

Frontier High School senior soccer player Paige Sikorski might not be counted on to score goals during the season, but her job is much more important than that.

Sikorski is counted on to do all the dirty work in the middle of the pitch. She is counted on to hold up play, and win the ball, to get her team back on the offensive. She must be doing her job right as Frontier heads into the playoffs at 13-2-1 overall,

It’s her play in the midfield that might get overshadowed at times. She isn’t going to score you 20 goals a season, but she will win you every 50/50 ball in the midfield. At the end of the day, that’s the most important part of her game.

“Being counted on to win the ball in order to get the offensive play going is definitely a big role,” stated Sikorski. “Constantly tracking the other team’s midfield can be tough but it allows you to read their play in order to win the ball and find the forward or outside midfielder.”

Sikorski is the unquestioned leader on the team. Her play is one of the main reasons why the Falcons are having the type of season they are. When the game is being played in rainy, cold, conditions - like most playoffs games are - that’s when Sikorski is at her best.

While her role on the team is to be that defensive stalwart, Sikorski can still take a defender 1v1 and then make the perfect the pass to a teammate for a goal. This season, Sikorski has contributed four goals and three assists.

“Playing a defensive mid position I don’t get a ton of opportunities to play super offensively but when I do I find myself playing the simple pass to split the defenders to find my winger or outside mid,” stated Sikorski. “This allows our winger to make a cross inside to try and find a player for a tap in. I occasionally will try to take a defender 1v1 in the box and just play super aggressively in order to tap the ball in on a cross.”

From the first day of training camp you could see this team was different than the teams in past years. They had a different identity. If you have had the chance to go watch them you could see they are more gritty and hungry.

Not that they weren’t like in the past, but this Falcons team has been playing with a chip on their shoulder all season long.

“This year's team is different from the last three years. We are gritty and hungry,” stated Sikorski. “We know what people think of us and how they underestimate us and we use it as motivation. Every game we leave it all on the field and that’s exactly what I expect.”

Over the years, Sikorski has been counted on to be a leader, or mentor, to the younger players. While some may have problems taking on a role like that, Sikorski thrives at it. She is a natural born leader.

Sikorski wants to make sure the younger girls are comfortable when they come up to the varsity level. She also wants to make sure they understand what it takes to compete at this level. It isn’t just about talent, but about heart and the willingness to compete day in and day out.

“I think that being a leader has been a natural transition for me. I like having the responsibility of being the role model for everyone, especially the younger girls,” stated Sikorski. “I think it’s super important that the younger girls know that they are just as important on the team as everyone else. I also make sure that they understand the goal of this season and how serious we are taking it. There is a time where we can mess around and have fun but there is also a time to get work done and grow as a team.”

As the playoffs are upon us, that means the season could end at any time. As a younger player you may not think about it as much, but as a senior it hits a little bit harder.

Sikorski has given everything to the club over the years. While there is still a lot to play for, it is stuff knowing that the end of her high school career can come at any moment.

“It’’s definitely sad knowing this is the last year of Frontier soccer for me. I think we have grown so much over the years not only as a team but also my relationships with players and coaches,” stated Sikorski. “I know if I ever need anything I can count on them. Frontier soccer is truly something special and without it I’m going to feel a piece of me missing.”

As she looks back on her time, Sikorski reflects about all the hard work she has put in to make herself a very soccer player. When she wasn’t getting the playing time early on in her career, she could have easily just sulked and committed to the role she was given.

Instead she continued to work hard, and improve her game, to where she became a starter and a two-year captain.

“Frontier soccer has been such a journey for me. From barely playing on varsity freshman year to being a captain junior and senior year It gave me an opportunity to connect with players and coaches who help me grow not only as a soccer player but as a person too,” stated Sikorski.“I’m definitely going to take all the motivation to never quit and never stop working as hard as you can with me for the rest of my career.”

Her next stop will be college. Sikorski will continue to play the game she loves at the Division III level next fall when she attends Fredonia. Sikorski made the commitment over the summer, and just loved everything about the campus and program.

“Over the summer I committed to Fredonia to play soccer,” stated Sikorski. “I’m going to be studying exercise science as well. I’ve been down there a couple times and am so excited to start a new chapter of my life.”