Spitting Image?

More nice ink in this week's Chelsea Standard for Kaitlin....

Chelsea's Ehman signs with EMU

By Don Richter, Sports Editor

PUBLISHED: April 12, 2007

Chelsea's Kaitlin Ehman is a typical teenager.

She likes hanging out with friends, loves movies, especially "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and enjoys listening to rock and roll and rap music.

She's your typical girl, except for one, small little nuance - she has an unusual habit of spitting before every soccer game.

Well, not only Ehman, but the entire Chelsea girls' soccer team has the same ailment.

"We've been doing it since I've been on the varsity," said Ehman, a two-year captain and three-year varsity performer for the Bulldogs. "Before every game, we gather together in a huddle and we all spit onto the field."

Uh-huh.

Whatever it is, the pre-game tradition has worked wonders for Ehman, a 5-foot-2 bundle of energy and competitive fire on the soccer field. Last month, the senior midfielder signed to continue her soccer career at Eastern Michigan University.

"It has always been a goal of mine to play college soccer," said Ehman, who also was recruited by Grand Valley State, Olivet, Findlay (Ohio) and Buffalo. "I always wanted to play soccer at the highest level. Playing Division I was ideal."

Ehman, 17, will join Bulldog senior teammate keeper Maggie Manville on the Eagles' squad next season. Manville committed to EMU earlier this year.

"We've been close friends for a long time," Ehman said of Manville, who along with Ehman and senior midfielder Sarah Reinhardt captain this year's Chelsea team. "Having Maggie there (at EMU) made it more comfortable for me. I'll know quite a few of the incoming freshmen."

Scott Hall is EMU's women's soccer coach.

"He was my coach for a couple of years when I played for the Novi Jags," Ehman said regarding another reason why she chose the Eagles.

Chelsea coach Chris Orlandi said he would describe Ehman as feisty.

"I like that because it's a combination of fiery and nasty," he said. "She plays tougher than one would anticipate after looking at her small frame. She doesn't back down from anyone."

Ehman was born into an athletic family. Dad Martin played hockey at EMU, while mom Susan, also an EMU graduate, has been involved in athletics her entire life. Younger sister Brooke is a sophomore forward for Chelsea.

"My family has always been into sports," said Ehman, who spends time off the soccer field working at the family-owned North Lake Country Store in Chelsea. "Both of my parents have always encouraged me to try my best. And my younger sister has pushed me to work harder. She's made me a better player."

Ehman, who has a 3.8 grade point average and plans to major in business at EMU, began playing soccer at age 4 in the Chelsea Recreation league.

"I've always been a competitive person," she said.

For two years when she was 11- and 12-years-old, Ehman played in the local Brazilian American Youth Soccer Association on a boys' team.

"I loved it," she said of the more physical boys' league. "I wasn't intimidated at all. I actually liked hitting back. It was really competitive. I was sad when it ended."

After playing BAYSA soccer, Ehman moved on to the Dexter Mustangs for a few seasons before making the jump to the Chelsea varsity her sophomore year.

"My first year was pretty tough," she said. "After that, I was able to get used to things. In high school, there are so many different styles of play coming together. It's a physical game. But I love that."

Orlandi said Ehman is a very capable captain for Chelsea.

"She's willing to open her mouth when something needs to be said," he said. "Kait also understands the game well and is a great leader and motivator on the field. She brings a lot of positives to our program. Her teammates truly respect her ability, drive and commitment level."

Last season, the Bulldogs lost to county rival Dexter in double overtime in the Division II state district final. The Dreadnaughts would go on to the state semifinals before losing. That loss has motivated Ehman.

"This is our year," she said. "This season, we all decided that our motto would be 'No Drama.' We wanted to get rid of that element. Our main focus this year is to play as a team every game. In the past, we focused more on our won-loss record and on individual stats. This year, it's all about the team."

And the pre-game spit.


See also our previous EFB story on Kaitlin.