Girls Soccer Capsules: Tri-Valley returns slew of experience, moves to D-I

With soccer season underway, here are capsules from some of our area boys and girls soccer teams. Teams not listed means no information was submitted by that coach. Information was not received on Maysville and Philo, but if it is received, it will run at a later date.

Girls Soccer

Tri-Valley

Emily Reilly starts her 15th season leading the Scotties, who were district champions after going 16-3-1 and sharing the MVL title.

The only loss is Alicia Ritchie, a second-team All-Ohioan, while 18 returning letter winners are back, including six who have started the past three years.

Senior keeper Alison Yingling will be a four-year starter after earning first-team honors in the MVL and East District, while MVL defender of the year and senior Emma Pratt and classmate Marlie Labishak anchor the defense, as both also made East District second team.

Seniors Ally Barclay and Lexie Littick (12) and sophomores Nevaeh Peffers return and will control the midfield, while freshman Maddie Garber adds to the midfield with her field vision and calm technical skill with the ball, said Reilly.

"We lost a huge offensive presence in Alicia Ritchie, but we have basically an entire team back. There are a core group of 10 that have seen consistent playing time since they were freshmen so they are well experienced," Reilly noted. "It was a surprising blow to have to move up to Division I for the postseason but if there is a group that is up to the challenge it would be this group. It is a lesson in learning to only worry about what you can control, and they have responded well with a new drive and push for their season.

"This is a special group. They might be the tightest and most driven group that I have coached, which is fun to coach and fun to watch."

John Glenn

Clay Wilkins starts his 20th season with the Muskies, who were co-MVL champions during a 10-6-2 campaign.

The key losses are forward Angela Kumler and defender Abigail Derry, but plenty of upperclassmen return. Senior Marina Nicolozakes, a forward/midfielder, had 19 goals and five assists in making first-team All-MVL and second team all-district, while classmate and defender Bella Eubanks, who had 15 assists and four goals, will anchor the backline after making first team in the MVL and East District.

Senior defenders Gwyn Lemon, who had 72 steals, Marissa Saki, who had 54 steals, and Isy Bronner, who had 30 steals, and sophomore keeper Jillian 'Bean' Sowers, the MVL second teamer with 93 saves and a 1.39 goals per game average, also return.

Juniors Anna Bennett (Midfielder), Becca Spohn (Forward w/9 Goals) and Avery Vasko (Defender) and sophomores Grace Fields (Defender), Olivia Perrin (Midfielder/Defender) and Riley Zamensky (Midfielder w/7 Goals, 7 Assists) are also back.

Five freshmen, Kira Kaiser (Midfielder/Forward), Faith Lemon (Goalkeeper), Abigail Matheney (Midfielder), Estelle Matheney (Forward/Midfielder) and Teagan Walrath (Defender), highlight the newcomers.

"We have had a competitive pre-season. There has been a hunger in training that was not present last season and we are hoping that this hunger pays dividends for us," Wilkins said. "We have a solid core of upperclassmen to lead, with a competitive/talented group of underclassmen. We are looking to again compete for the MVL title."

Rosecrans

Danny Maxwell takes over the head coaching role for the first time since 2010 after being an assistant for the past four years, including being named the East District Division III assistant coach of the year in 2021.

The Bishops finished 9-10 and reached the district finals for the ninth straight season, but three-time All-Ohio keeper Makaela McLaughlin, Parker Farrell and Shyann Newton are the key losses.

A solid core returns in seniors Jenna McLaughlin (defense), Chloe Zemba (forward), Caitlyn Wilson (midfield) and Ella Lambert (midfield), juniors Avery Maxwell (midfield) and Abby Solt (defense), and sophomores Sydnee Maxwell (midfield), Kate Ward (keeper), Alaina Barry (defense), Maddi Pugh (defense), Lillie Dosch (midfield) and Kerry Thompson (midfield).

Sydnee Maxwell led the team with 24 goals and 10 assists in earning East District and Mid-State League first team honors, while Zemba had 10 goals and nine assists and McLaughlin also received district and MSL honors.

Several newcomers will contribute in sophomore Madisyn Sealey (midfield) and freshmen Jackie Connell (midfield), Jaleigh Stoneburner (forward), Claire Ward (midfield) and Reese Kornokovich (midfield).

"We are really excited about all the talent returning this year. The team will be far more experienced than last year when we had seven underclassman in the starting lineup," Maxwell said. "The girls have put in a ton of work in the off season and are prepared for tough schedule they have ahead. It’s always been a positive to play tough competition throughout the season to prepare to make a deep run in the tournament."

Zanesville

Todd Riley, who has 16 years of coaching experience, returns to the Lady Devils' sidelines as the head coach after the program went 7-9-2 and won a sectional title.

The key losses include three players competing in college, Josie Van Kirk (Marietta), Jillian Wiersma (Walsh), Morgan Smith (Muskingum), as well as Allie Walker.

Seniors Olivia Baldwin, Abby Baldwin, Michaela Bolen and Destiny Huffman, juniors Rylee McCuen, Emma Williams, Kallie Dickenson, Skylynne Cooke and Reagan Bailey, and sophomores Reyna Dalton, Avery Crook, Ayanna Stewart and Tajaynay Garland all return.

McCuen was second team in the East District and honorable mention in Licking County League, while Bolen and Williams were also East District honorable mention.

Four freshmen, Aubri Cooke, KD Burkett, Keira Dickenson and Terieya Fowler, highlight the newcomers.

West Muskingum

Courtney Kuhn enters her sixth season as head coach with Chelcey Tusing back for her fourth season as an assistant and Ryan Moore joins the staff.

A year ago, the Tornadoes finished 11-8-1, posting their first winning season since 2013, as well as claiming their first sectional title and finishing as district runner-ups for the first time since 2014.

The key losses to graduation include starting centerbacks Chloe Armstrong and Mariska McCune, leading scorer Ava Van Reeth, a first-team MVL and district selection, and starter Brooke Pauley.

Returning to the roster are seniors, midfielder/forward Zoie Settles and keeper Gracie Settles, who had four shutouts, as both made second team in the MVL and East District. Junior midfielder Allison Latier and classmates, Laney Johnson, Lily McCune, Dara Decker, Katlynn Foster and Sophie Quinn, and sophomores Hannah Roberts and Halle Peck are also back.

Seniors Carlee Hankinson and Mykell Bowen and freshmen Jayden Thornton, Debra Allen, Maria Hill, Chloe Smith and Claire Smith are the key newcomers.

Sheridan

The Generals took a big leap forward last season, going 7-6-3 for Rebekah Yzenski, who enters her fifth year with the program.

The key losses include Cate Conrad, Haley Helber, Riley Morbitzer, Julie Nichols, Natalie Shriner and Jenna Snider, while a strong senior class of Mary Bonkowski, Alanna Covert, Delaney Cyrus, Faith Fraunfelter, Kira Howe and Savannah Ramirez return.

Juniors Mikaela Sargent-Stotts, Claire Shriner and Annie Swain and sophomores Amory Brown, Addy Crane, Alli Evans, Kendra Hackworth, Kendall Harter, Emily Malone, Mikenna Schiele, Shelby Solomon, Beckett Strong and Julia White are back, while freshman defender Calli Covert and freshman forward Sieannah Ramirez are the newcomers.

"The girls continue building the program with their hard work and dedication to fundamentals and team work. We look forward to another great season," Yzenski said.

New Lexington

Barry Harvey enters his fourth season, as the Panthers notched the program's first victory last season with a postseason win during a 1-14-3 season.

There are several key losses, highlighted by MVL second-team selections, Olivia Friesner (keeper) and Megan Groves (defender). Losses also include Audrey Jeffers, Jacey York, Gracie Lones, Madison Castro and Addee Straits.

Junior forward Bella Starlin and sophomore midfielder Lilah Carson lead the returning letterwinners, as both shared the team lead in goals and Carson had most assists. Seniors Tessa Hubble (Forward), Aleena Carson (Defender-Midfield), Andrea Groves (Defender) and Kelly Gordon (Defender) and juniors Jalynn Allen (Midfield) and January Baker (Forward) also return.

The newcomers include a pair of freshmen, Lilly Powell and Heather Ferreira, as both can help in the midfield and defense.

"This senior class has a lot to prove. They will make history as the first class to play soccer at New Lex for four years," Harvey said. "They’ve had to deal with a lot over those four years, like growing pains as a program, getting their first win and having a senior teammate and friend diagnosed with a brain tumor. These girls are ready for a challenging year and ready to take the next step to becoming a successful team."

Morgan

Head coach Ethan Newton and assistant coach Keala Coon take over the Raiders, who graduated Kierstyn Hopkins and Dani Nesselroad.

Senior Shannon Cooper and juniors Kennedy Mayle (keeper) and Jada Strelec return and will be team captains, while juniors Reese Azbell, Ellie Fleming and Maddy Penrod and sophomore Emily Guinn are also back.

Sophomore Abby Shriver and freshmen Gianna Myers and Josie Patterson highlight the newcomers for the Raiders.

"This season is the beginning of rebuilding Morgan's girls soccer program," Newton said. "We are looking to create a strong foundation of conditioning and skill. Leadership will be key."

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Girls Soccer Capsules: Tri-Valley returns slew of experience, moves to D-I