Wisconsin’s comeback victory over Michigan last October was both a defining moment in its women’s soccer season and a breakthrough for then-sophomore forward Sydney McGinnis.
McGinnis, a Maine South alum and Park Ridge native, assisted on the equalizing goal in that game, a 3-2 win that helped the Badgers finish in a tie for first in the Big Ten regular season.
“I think I kind of found my wings in that game,” said McGinnis, who came off the bench in each of her 19 appearances in 2015. “I was not overthinking the game and was just having fun, and that’s when I have the most success.”
It was McGinnis’ only point, goal or assist, of the season. But after the graduation of forwards Nikki Greenhalgh and Marisa Kresge, McGinnis will enter the 2016 season as the team’s most experienced striker. She is expected to be a focal point of the Badgers’ attack.
“(McGinnis) embraced her role coming off the bench, but now she’s ready to step into a different role,” Wisconsin coach Paula Wilkins said.
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Midfielder Rose Lavelle, a senior-to-be for the Badgers, said all signs point to McGinnis having a breakout season in 2016.
“Sydney really stepped up this spring and became a leader for our team on and off the field,” she said. “Her athleticism off the ball and ability to hold off defenders are attributes that separate her on the field and make her fun to play alongside. She’s going to be a big part of our success.”
McGinnis is back in the Chicagoland area this summer playing for the Chicago Red Stars Reserves of the Women’s Premier Soccer League. McGinnis said she’s also conducting more rigorous individual workouts than in previous offseasons.
“I’m stepping into a new role, and with that comes more pressure, so you have to be more fit and more prepared to play the full 90 minutes,” said McGinnis, who averaged about 28 minutes per game as a sophomore. “We have great strength and conditioning coaches (at Wisconsin), and they put together packets with all these (training) plans and help set us up for success.”
Strength and conditioning played a significant role in McGinnis’ soccer past. When she was 16 and playing for her club team Eclipse Select, McGinnis suffered a torn ACL, LCL, meniscus and hamstring and nerve damage in her right leg. She had surgery, but doctors were not sure whether she would fully recover.
McGinnis did not play a competitive soccer game for 17 months, returning for the summer club season before her senior year of high school. McGinnis said she soon began to feel like herself again but was forced to go through another adjustment period when she got to Wisconsin.
“Playing in the Big Ten, which is so physical, and being able to go into tackles fearlessly and not being afraid to get into scrums, it took some time to get acclimated,” McGinnis said.
Despite those physical and mental challenges, McGinnis said she gained some wisdom from her injury.
“I feel like I almost appreciate (the injury), which is kind of weird to say about a horrifying and horrible experience,” she said. “But I grew up a lot, came to appreciate the game more and learned how to prepare (to play) and take care of (minor) injuries because you don’t want to go into rehab and therapy.”
Dan Shalin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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