Nichols takes on leadership role

What does one bookend do without the other?

If you’re Lakeland soccer standout Natalie Nichols, what you do is simple.

You do your best.

Nichols, who for the last three years has played forward opposite Hawks star Kayla Stiegemeier, now finds herself squarely in the role of team leader.

After upstart Lakeland made it all the way to the 4A state title match last season, leading the Hawks back to that hallowed ground might be considered a daunting task.

But Nichols, a four-year starter, is taking it all in stride.

“I thought it would be harder than it is,” Nichols said of life without Stiegemeier, who graduated last year. “But it’s still difficult, because you have to learn other people’s abilities – but we’re getting through it.”

Then there are those heightened expectations that come after a deep postseason run.

“We’re starting the season pretty well, I guess,” said Nichols, who scored Lakeland’s only goal in a 2-1 overtime loss to Century in the state title match last year. “But I know we have to pick it up and continue to get stronger if we’re going to make it back to where we were.”

To that end, Nichols, who has played since the third grade, has maintained her keen nose for the goal, but at the same time become more of a teacher.

“At first it was harder for me, because Kayla and I were always together and I had nobody to work with,” Nichols said. “But now it’s better, because I can work on the younger kids and get them more focused – especially the forwards; the goal scorers.”

Yes, the smell of success has a way of making one want to smell it again and again.

“It was amazing,” Nichols said of last year’s exploits. “I never would have thought that would have happened.

“It was the best experience ever.”

So what now?

“We definitely want to make it back to state,” said Nichols.