MLive Jackson Team of the Week: Jackson High School girls soccer team uses traditions passed down from former players

, May 17, 2013 8 a.m.
JACKSON, MI – When Jackson High School girls soccer coach Phil Maurer uttered the words, “scarf of doom,” it sounded like something out of a bad horror movie.
For the Vikings, the scarf of doom carries a much more uplifting meaning.
A tradition that began seven years ago, the players sport the scarf in pre-game warm-ups with the idea that it brings good luck.
MORE ON JACKSON SOCCER, THE MLIVE JACKSON TEAM OF THE WEEK: Junior Lexy Roty making herself at home as Jackson’s goalkeeper Madison Kyro overcame leg injury to make varsity squad as a freshman Inside Scoop: Check out the warm-ups, routines and a meet and greet “(Jackson graduate) Jessie Bury brought this scarf to a game one day, and someone wore it during warm-ups, and next thing you know someone else was wearing it,” Maurer said. “Now before every game, someone will be wearing this scarf of doom – it’s supposed to bring doom to the other team.”
The story behind the tradition was that the first person who wore the scarf scored their first goal of the year. Since then, the scarf has been passed down from team to team in hopes of bringing good fortune. The scarf is even embroidered with Scarf of Doom.
One player each year is given the responsibility of taking care of the scarf and making sure it finds its way to the field every game.
What started with Bury was passed down to Alexa Malone, followed by Annie Aubrey.
This year, the task remains with junior Morgan McCloughan, who took over the scarf obligations from Aubrey her freshman year.
“I think it’s kind of fun and it’s interesting, but it’s kind of a responsibility, because we have to wear it before every warm-up, and supposedly whoever wears it will score a goal,” McCloughan said. “I’m a defender, so I don’t score many goals, but it seems to work for the forwards and infielders that use it.”
While McCloughan has the rest of this season and next to maintain her scarf-of-doom duties, parting ways with it won’t be so easy.
“I keep it overnight and I will hold on to it until next year,” McCloughan said. “I probably will miss it, because this thing has been with me throughout high school.”
The scarf is one of many traditions with this year’s team, as the Vikings have a long list of rituals passed down from prior teams.
Before every home game, the players relax in the team clubhouse, which sits about 40 feet from Mehall Field.
In the confines of the clubhouse, there are drawings, motivational phrases, team goals, nominated players of the game and even a wall lined with empty Cheez-It boxes. Cheez-Its are the team’s favorite pre-game snack.
Sophomore Kelsey Dods does a majority of the drawings, which most of time has a comical feel to them.
“I’ve been drawing animals that are supposed to represent people on the team or any funny character,” Dods said.

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