Northwestern’s girls soccer team enjoyed a strong campaign last season, going 15-3-1 and posting wins over each of the other four Howard County squads. While the team had significant graduation losses from that squad, all the underclassmen return for this season.
“Yes, we had a core group graduate, but we also have a core group returning,” NW coach Christina Kidwell said. “The seniors that we graduated the past couple years were great mentors. Everyone returned except those that graduated and they know the system that we want to play. They are already leading our incoming class very well and setting the standard that we plan to raise throughout the season.”
The Tigers return a large group including players who accounted for exactly 2/3 of their 93 goals last season and a little more than half of their 56 assists.
“We are excited with what we have seen so far,” Kidwell said. “We have some flexibility with a few players and are eager to see what develops as the season progresses.
Kidwell preferred not to list players on the squad, instead emphasizing their collective strength.
“Everyone on our team makes an impact,” Kidwell said. “I have a great group of girls that are willing to rise to any opponent. If I tell one of them to go to a position, they do it because we work as a team and they do what’s best for the team. Everyone leads on and off the field.”
The Tigers dropped their opener to Class 2A No. 9 West Lafayette, a yearly season-opening test against another strong program. Those teams met in the Hoosier Conference final last year. This season Northwestern moves to the Three Rivers Conference. Northwestern faced Sheridan on Wednesday.
“Our hope for this season is to grow as a team on and off the field,” Kidwell said. “After our scrimmage, we are excited for the flexibility we see amongst our players. The bonds these girls have already formed early in the season are promising for this season and seasons to come. We love what we see in each of our players. There is a willingness to learn and grow as an individual and for their teammates.”
EASTERN
After an initial light turnout, the Comets recruited a lot more players once school started and have 19 to start the campaign. A lot of new players will blend with returners who helped Eastern fashion a solid 8-7-2 campaign last fall.
“I know I have girls that want to play,” Eastern coach Brian Hertzog said. “Even though a lot of them, it’s their first year playing, the girls that came out late have completely changed the trajectory of this team.
“For me, it’s been rare to see girls that have never played before come out and in two days I know they’re going to be starting. I love their grit and determination to get better. The entire team has kind of risen to that. They all have the same attitude now.”
While the Comets are young overall, 10 players are returning from last season. Hertzog expects that experience to help this year’s team.
“They’re experienced and they’ve played in some tough games, and they’ve been through it,” Hertzog said.
Returning in goal is senior Ruby Sheets, who helped the Comets post five shutouts last fall. Senior Elle Hamilton is a center back. Junior Julia Salkie is moving from defensive midfielder to offensive midfielder, where she’ll partner with classmate Emma Budde, another offensive midfielder. Senior Alia Dutton is on the right wing. And sophomore Claire Rush takes the defensive midfielder spot.
“I think it’s the attitude of the entire team to get better,” Hertzog said. “It’s not necessarily skills, footwork or anything like that, it is just that attitude of we’ve got to get better and we’ve got to go out and perform. Whatever it takes, we’ve got to push through and just play our hardest.”
Eastern opens today at North Miami.
“My goal as a coach would be I hope that they learn throughout the year to face challenges together and we know we’re going to have a challenging year … because of the injuries we’ve already had, because of the inexperience,” Hertzog said. “Our goal is to face those challenges together and to be one team. Overcoming those challenges is what those girls will take on with them after they graduate into life.”
KOKOMO
The Wildkats have a lot to replace from a 6-8-1 team that hit its stride late last season and won four straight heading into the sectional. They’ll rely on several new leaders after graduating a host of starters.
“With a roster full of experienced players and talented newcomers, the team is ready to get the season underway,” Kat coach Elizabeth Rayl said. “The starting lineup is going to look quite different this season after losing nine seniors. But the remaining core are ready for the challenge.”
The Kats will lean heavily on the senior class.
“We have a strong senior class that is ready to lead,” Rayl said. “They are strong individuals who are learning to lead together and make a positive impact. We are also excited about our international students — Isabel Boyance and Jimena Mier y Terán from Mexico.
The Kats feature several key seniors. Nancy Laughner (co-team high three assists last season) and Liliana Taskey are versatile players who will play multiple roles. Sisters Iris Brehm (eight goals) and Layla Brehm (four goals, three assists) fuel the attack. Laikyn McDorman is in defense.
Moving into goal is junior Aiyana Cox. Sophomore Elaina Gibson is in defense. Sophomore Gisela Herrera is expected to work with Iris Brehm to control midfield and dictate the pace of play. Junior Patience Rowles joins Layla Brehm up front.
New players expected to make an impact are Isabella Riggs, Boyance and Mier y Terán.
Kokomo dropped its opener Saturday to Western. The Kats visited Oak Hill on Wednesday.
Rayl’s goal is to “build a team of leaders who take care of each other. I hope the girls can learn to work together because being a team player will help them in all aspects of their life. With a tough first loss, we hope to overcome adversity together and learn to have grit when times get tough and celebrate each other in times of success.”
WESTERN
The Panthers have already equaled their win total from last season and have reason to feel optimistic about what’s ahead this fall after enduring a tough season last fall. Last year, the Panthers were rebuilding, this year, they return all the non-seniors from last year’s squad and add more depth.
“I am very excited to watch this team work together on the field this season,” Western coach Addy Turner said. “We had a very large group of freshmen join the team, and picked up a few seniors as well. We are learning to play as a unit and that communication is key. Our style of game-play is going to differ from last year and I am cautiously optimistic about the season.
“After a 1-14 season last year, I was not sure how the numbers would be this year, but with the new players and 100% retention from last season, I am very pleased and look forward to playing some junior varsity games this season as well.”
Team chemistry is already a plus in the 29-player program.
“This team is all in to the mission of the program and more importantly, to each other,” Turner said. “They have each other’s backs and the team chemistry is the best I have coached in my five years of experience. They trust me and have devoted the time in the summer to prepare for a stronger year than what we had last season. We had some talented freshmen join the squad, however I have been impressed with the growth I have seen from the returning group.”
Turner feels the team has more than 11 players who are at a level of a starting player and expects to use multiple lineups over the season to make room for them.
Impact players include senior midfielder Carson Jones, senior outside backs Alyssa Norfleet and Maleigha Kessler, senior center back Kenzie Moore, freshman center back Izzy Miller, seniors Katherine DiPaola and Emita Medina, and freshmen Norah Ewing, Allison McKitrick, Ella Yeary, Harlow Harmeson and Payton Hunt.
Additionally, junior Chloe Fye returns in goal, with junior Jaylah Douglas and freshman Natalie Glover as backups.
Western has already shown improvement. The Panthers opened the season with a 4-1 victory at Kokomo and 4-4 tie against Lafayette Jeff on Monday. Both those teams beat Western by 9-0 scorelines last season. The Panthers faced Harrison on Wednesday.
“I am looking forward to watch this team grow together,” Turner said. “Last season was tough, but they never gave up and this year they are going to reap the benefits of learning how to lose and learn from it. I am so proud to be their coach.”
TAYLOR
The Titans have a small roster of 13, and only 12 healthy ones right now, but 11 on the roster are returning from last season and that should make for an improved defense. The small squad means the team has challenges from the onset.
“I think we’re going to have to make a little improvement [defensively]. Toward the end of the season, we really got a lot better defensively. It may not look like it but we did,” Taylor coach Mike Shane said. “I think we got better defensively, a lot better, now we’re looking for any kind of offense because we did lose the majority of our offensive firepower.
“I think we’re going to have to rely on being a quick counterattacking team. I don’t know that we’ve got that much speed and ball control to be that kind of team, but somewhere we have to find it.”
Most of Taylor’s defense returns. The defensive unit will come from several defenders/midfielders who can play those roles: seniors Sheyli Nieves, Jayla Preston and Bella Dougan; junior Clara Cavazos; and sophomore Chloe Woods. Sophomore Trinity Calvert is taking over in goal.
Midfield options are seniors MaKynzi Reed and Mia Espinoza, as well as Preston. Senior Natalie Talbot can also factor into midfield or defense. Options in attacking spots are senior Bryleigh Bridges, juniors Fentaye Moody and Ava Stackhouse, and sophomore Myah Canela, who played at Elwood last season.
“Everybody’s going to have to chip in,” Shane said. “It’s going to be all 12 of 13 of them chipping in to help out.”
Shane is still hoping more players come out for the squad to keep the program rolling this season and beyond. The Titans were 1-12 last season.
“I just want to see them get better,” Shane said. “I just want to improve from last year. We’re a very senior-heavy roster. For a lot of them, this is the third year I’ve had them. I want to see them get better, I want to see their stats get better, I want to see their record get better.
“I think we’re capable of competing more. I just want us to be more competitive, I want us to hang in there more, I want us to be there at the end of the game. I think we’re at the point we can be.”
Taylor’s first game is slated for today at Tipton, if the Blue Devils have enough players with enough practices at that time.
