Wildcats’ center forward pushed by will to win

Kendall Fischlein always has been fueled by competitiveness.

From her days playing against older brother Colby and his friends to playing on the Lake Norman High soccer field, the senior has always hated to lose.

That’s something that first-year Wildcat coach Beth Pressley has quickly noticed about Fischlein – even when her team is playing six-on-six scrimmages in the school’s gym during rainy days.

“She wants to win,” said Pressley. “Her head is always in the game.”

Fischlein, who tallied 18 goals last season, has been a central part of Lake Norman’s offense in the last few years.

The forward broke the school’s career record in assists, with 48 last year

“She makes amazing passes that I think, ‘That will never work, that will never go through,’” said Pressley.

“It seems like she knows just what to do with the ball.”

Fischlein looks to play at a fast pace. “I think very quickly when I have the ball and try to keep moving,” she said.

Pressley said that, aside from Fischlein’s soccer savvy and speed, she also stands out because of her accuracy and strength.

“Her shot is amazing,” the former North Lincoln coach said. “I wouldn’t even want to be in goal. She’s just so strong.”

Pressley has also been impressed by Fischlein off the field.

“She’s not just an awesome athlete,” said Pressley. “She’s also a very sweet girl who’s easy to get along with.”

Fischlein explains that she has something in common with her new coach.

“She’s also very competitive,” said Fischlein. “She wants to win, and she’s going to do anything in her power to do that.”

Despite not having longtime coach Jon Mertes on the sideline, Lake Norman’s possession-oriented style remains.

Pressley said that although she didn’t have much experience coaching the Wildcats’ 4-3-3 formation, she decided to stick with it because it suits her players.

Lake Norman, ranked No. 4 in 4A in the state’s coaches’ poll, has shown promise as it started the year 3-0.

The Wildcats won a tough, 3-2 game against 4A power Ardrey Kell behind Fischlein’s two second-half goals, which Pressley hopes quiets talk of whether this year’s team can be as good as last year’s 22-3 squad.

“It showed that we are a team and here to compete again,” she said.

Lake Norman still has a lot of growing up to do, as it features eight underclassmen on its roster.

“They’re young, but they’re seasoned,” said Pressley, pointing to their club soccer experience.

Fischlein has been impressed by the team’s freshmen, including defenders Riley Orr and Kristin Brown.

“To start, and make such impact, is really big,” said Fischlein. “They’re great additions.”

A four-year varsity player, she tries to impart some of what she’s learned along the way. “It doesn’t matter what grade you’re in,” said Fischlein. “I tell them that they’re on the team for a reason.”

Pressley said that Fischlein and fellow seniors Kelsey Steiner, a forward, and Rachel Harrill, a goalkeeper, have stepped up.

As the Wildcats get a feel for each other, Fischlein thinks the captain’s role is increasingly important.

“The younger girls look up to you – what you do and what you say,” she said. “You have to make sure you give off the right influence.”

Junior Amanda Karlsson and Justine Lockman should also have key roles on the field for Lake Norman.

Fischlein, an all-state player last year, admits to feeling some pressure to help Lake Norman live up to its winning ways.

With rival Hough, the top-ranked 4A team in the state, in the Wildcats’ way, she has hopes of competing for a conference title and even going out with a state championship.

“But we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves,” said Fischlein. “It’s early in the season, we have to take it game-by-game.”

Fischlein, who plays club soccer with Winston-Salem-based N.C. Fusion, signed to play at Wake Forest next year.

“I can’t wait,” she said. “I think it will be so fun. To play at that competitive level has always been my dream.”