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Published: October 06, 2009 11:43 pm

GIRLS SOCCER: GI’s Dudish takes her soccer serious

GRAND ISLAND — When she’s out on the field Jordan Dudish often has a determined scowl on her face. But that’s when coach Dave Bowman is most happy.

“Jordan is Jordan. She’s just always intense and into the game,” the fourth-year Grand Island coach said with a smile. “That’s what I love about her. You cannot tell her that something is impossible.”

Dudish, a senior captain, said she’s on a personal mission to get her teammates to have that same mindset each time they set foot on the turf.

“I’m very out-spoken and positive with my teammates,” she said. “I’m always trying to push them to do a little more. I want us to be our best all the time.”

So far this fall, Dudish has certainly lived up to her end of the bargain. The four-year varsity starter has 11 goals to her credit, despite spending a bulk of her time in the midfield.

“One of my big goals this year was hitting the net more,” Dudish said. “I worked on my shooting a lot. Defensively, I think I’m pretty sound because I play there during travel, but now my offense is finally catching up.”

Dudish’s increased offense has given the already-dangerous Vikings an added weapon. Halfway through the season, GI already has three double-digit goal scorers.

“The question arises, who are you going to stop?” Bowman asked. “You can maybe shut down one, but definitely not all three.”

And when play dictates a tight, defensive battle, Dudish isn’t afraid to slide herself into the back.

“She really understands her role from game to game now,” Bowman said. “She knows when to play up and when to play back, when to score and when to pass. She’s become a smart soccer player.”

Dudish added, “I know when to pick it up and play a certain style now.”

Her teammates have also grown this season as they hope to regain the Niagara Frontier League title from Kenmore West. A win today against the Blue Devils would put GI in the driver’s seat.

A few wins come the end of the month and GI will be back in the state playoffs, a spot it hasn’t been in since 2005, Dudish’s eighth-grade year.

“Kristin (Wegrzyn) and I are the only ones left that got to go,” Dudish said. “I still remember the thrill of it all and I want all these girls to experience that.”

Dudish said she is considering UB and Temple.