first four matches.
"Everybody provided us with something different, which is important at this time of year," said
Wilkins, who has learned through injuries, "We have
different players who can play different positions."
What's really different about this team is the captain or captains. There are none.
"When they voted for captains, they voted for
none," Wilkins said, "because they thought they
were strong enough personalities (as a group) that
they wanted to do it together.
"They felt like they had a good enough relationship that when the time was needed people could
speak up. I think there are going to be some ups and
downs with it, but they all bought in.
"The people who don't play a minute are just as
much leaders as the people who have played every
minute of the game. I've never done it as a coach
before. I'm interested to see what transpires.
"But I'm excited about their excitement about it.
"It's exciting to see people step up at different
times and say different things."
Asked if she had any reservations about signing
off on the captain-less plan, Wilkins said, "I thought
it was going to be the best idea to allow everyone to
let their true leadership style come out."
Laughing, she confided, "I'm always a little bit
worried because a democracy never works in theory (in sports). But they have respect enough to listen to each other when they make decisions."
Wilkins can see how "it allows younger players
to come into their own" while at the same time validating what she knows to be true. "To be a leader,"
she said, "you don't need to have a title."
Goal-scorer is seemingly the only title Walls
needs. She already wears it well.
"I'm fine with letting my play do the talking," she
said.
Walls has scored at least one goal
in each game this season and is tied
for the Big Ten lead in goals (5).
43
