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10/19/2018 12:00 AMMichael Dilger is in the midst of a great season with the Valley Regional boys’ soccer squad this fall. Michael, a senior, has 16 goals and six assists while playing the wing position for the Warriors, who are sporting a record of 9-1-2 and have qualified for the Class M State Tournament.
While Michael has competed for some talented teams at Valley, he feels that this season is the culmination of lots of hard work for the Warriors. Valley’s current group of athletes have been playing together for several years, and Michael says that they’re really jelling.
“Last year, we made second in Shorelines. This year, we’re trying to bring it to a whole new level,” Michael says. “I think that it comes down to the chemistry that we’ve built. We’ve been playing together so long now. Our defense is really good and, with the 10 years we’ve spent together, we’re in for a really good season.”
Michael has excelled on the attack from the outset of his career. Michael is playing a key role on offense for Valley Regional this season, although he’s pleased to see so many of his teammates getting in on the act, as well.
“I’m a winger. I usually play on the left side, but I can play on the right, too. Sometimes, I play striker,” says Michael. “I’ve been playing with this group of guys for so long. When we were younger, we would have no one else to score at that age, so I had to have that scorer’s mentality. Now, we’ve got plenty of people who can do it.”
Michael tries to keep things simple as an attacker. He’s working on more moves to try and befuddle defenders, but Michael tends to rely on his speed in order to bypass his opponents and get to the goal.
“I would say my favorite spot to get the ball is on the outside on the left. I try to draw the defender close to me, so I can beat them with my speed,” Michael says. “Sometimes, I cut inside, and that can create opportunities with my striker. I don’t really have any complicated moves, but I have been working on that for my college game.”
Michael plays soccer throughout the year and believes that gives him an advantage over some other players. Michael has spent his entire life trying to improve his soccer skills, and the sport has never lost its luster in his eyes. He always feels at home whenever he’s on the pitch.
“Playing year-round, I always get to work on my game. It helps strengthen my leg muscles and works soccer-specific muscles,” Michael says. “I try to never have a week off when it comes to working on my game. It’s always been in my life, and I never get tired of it.”
Michael comes from a family that features its fair share of soccer enthusiasts. Michael’s older brother Jonathan played for the Warriors, and his father Patrick dedicated a great deal of time to coaching Valley’s offseason teams.
“My brother was a talented striker for Valley. He also wanted to play at college, but he got in his dream school academically,” says Michael, who lives in Deep River. “My dad was the coach of my Valley teams. All of the kids on the high-school team played under my dad for years and years. I owe him a lot. He’s been a great dad and a great coach to me.”
Michael also appreciates the guidance that he receives from Valley Regional Head Coach Mick Fearon. Fearon coached Michael’s brother and then started encouraging the younger Dilger to become the best soccer player he can be.
“I’ve known Coach Fearon a long time,” Michael says. “Even as a freshman, people had an impression of me, and he taught me that I wasn’t going to get anything just for my name. He’s been a great coach.”
In turn, Coach Fearon has seen Michael constantly work hard for the Valley squad. Michael’s dedication helps him to keep adding tools to his offensive arsenal, and that’s exactly what Fearon wants to see from his winger.
“Michael’s a natural scorer and does a lot with his chances in games,” Fearon says. “He’s been a mainstay of the program for four years and, each year, he’s improved and increased his goal scoring. That’s what you want out of a forward.”
Even though he isn’t a captain, Michael knows that many of the Warriors’ younger players look to him for leadership. The senior tries to assist captain Sean Cole and vice captain Charlie Haughton by adding a little levity when appropriate. However, Michael is all business once the whistle blows.
“I think that we have two great captains, and I like playing a supporting-cast role for them. They have to be pretty serious, but I like to crack a few jokes. They may not get to do that,” Michael says. “When it comes to game time, I turn off all the comedy and be serious. I try to come out and give my best every game.”
As for the future, Michael has already committed to play Division III soccer at Drew University in New Jersey. Michael decided early on in his high-school career that he wanted to play soccer at the collegiate level, and he’s looking forward to getting that opportunity.
“Ever since my sophomore year, I told my dad that I want to play in college,” says Michael. “I would go to different camps in the summer, and their coaches saw me at a Future 500 soccer camp. The Drew assistant coach contacted me, and I went to their own camp. After that, I stayed overnight with some guys on the team and really loved it. It was the best choice for me.”