Lakeland College

Veteran Green Bay natives Cormier, Fitchett vault Muskies into top half of NAC

Athletics - posted on 10/20/2008

One of the biggest challenges for many athletes playing in college is adjusting to a whole new set of teammates.

That was the least of Kevin Fitchett and Ted Cormier's concerns.

Fitchett, a senior midfielder for the Lakeland College men's soccer team, and Cormier, a junior forward, have been playing soccer together since elementary school, all the way through graduation at Green Bay Preble High School.

They have been on a team together "our whole lives," said Cormier. "[Kevin's] dad was my first coach."

Playing together for so many years certainly has its advantages.

"Their chemistry on the field is obvious," Lakeland head coach David Madsen said. "They are such a big boost for us offensively; they seem to know where to put the ball to each other in a two-man game in the attacking third."

"We know how each play individually and where each other will be on the field," Cormier said.

Cormier's 13 goals tops the team this season, while Fitchett is right behind with 11 scores. The pair has also combined for 10 assists.

"We can tell who's having a good game and who's not right away, I think," Fitchett said.

Fitchett and Cormier's friendship helps the way the team plays overall. The duo has helped lead the Muskies to a 7-5-1 record thus far, including a 5-2-1 mark in the Northern Athletics Conference, where Lakeland is in third place with three games remaining.

For a team with 16 freshmen on its roster, the guidance of Fitchett and Cormier has been undeniable. Madsen said they have been vocal leaders since practice began.

Their companionship has helped in "getting the team involved with both of us, chemistry-wise," Cormier said.

"If the whole team had played as long as we have together, we'd be immensely better," Fitchett said.

Fitchett and Cormier are two big keys this fall in leading the Muskies' offensive attack. And both can see the impact that being lifelong teammates is having on this team.

"We had a good high school squad," Cormier said. "That's made us better individuals. That's made us more offensive minded."