His left leg projects shots like missiles … heat-seeking missiles. His strength is apparent; his understanding of time and space, palpable.  

You watch Michigan Wolves striker Reed Losee and you wonder how – unless he were to become a judge - he could ever find himself sitting on the bench.

Yet last season, his first with the Michigan Wolves, Losee didn’t begin as a starter with his new club. He was part of a logjam the team had at forward and was forced to work his way into the rotation.

The operative word being “work.”

“He’s like a gym rat,” said coach Lars Richters. "You usually would use that term about basketball players, but he really loves to train and play. I feel as if he has really peaked. He is playing with more confidence than ever and he’s made a really strong step forward.”

It began as kind of a tip-toe last season. He gradually earned more minutes and by the end of the year was in the starting lineup. But those humble beginnings are long gone. These days Losee pretty much leaps defenders in a single bound.

Leading the Wolves (20-4-4) to one of the top records in the US Soccer Development Academy, he scored more than 20 goals while sliding back to the top of the offense after playing more in the midfield a season ago.

Now Losee has his team headed to the national finals July 10-17 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, after a strong showing at the Academy Playoffs last week.

Alongside teammates Joshua Barens, Adam Grinwis, Jordan Tyler and Eric Weberman, the Wolves are well positioned to potentially win the national championship.

“I think we’re playing pretty well. We knew that every game was important and as a top seed we were in a really good position to get through,” Losee said. “I just try to provide leadership by never taking a day off. I try to bring the team together.”

As one of the two team captains, Losee provides leadership in two ways. The first is through his consistent performance. When you’re one of the best target strikers on one of the best teams in the academy it speaks volumes in itself.

“He possesses a number of different tools as an offensive player,” Richters said. “He has a very powerful shot and an equally good understanding for how to set up his teammates. He just seems to always be in the middle of things for us. He really makes our offense click.”

But beyond his lethal gifts, Losee sets a strong example with the way he approaches the game. His effort on the field never wanes, and his quest for improvement isn’t limited to team practices or matches.

“I’ve played that way my whole life, since I was a U9,” Losee said. Each and every game has always been important to me and I make sure that I give my best at all times. I think the schedule of the academy has been really good for me and helped me to get better.”

Losee is committed to Northwestern for 2010, but first he has some business to tend to. The Wolves are one of the favorites to take the academy title and Losee is by no means shying away from the pressure or responsibility.

“I think our team is the best in the country,” he said. “If we play our game we’ll win, because no one will be able to top it. If everyone is on the same page we won’t lose.”