GIRLS' SOCCER: Schuylkill League preview caps

Sep. 13—DIVISION I

Blue Mountain

Head coach: Adam Freeman (3rd season)

Last season: 13-8, 9-3 D-I, Schuylkill League Division I wild card, Schuylkill League runner-up, District 11 3A semifinalist

Returnees: Reese Baldwin (sr.), Danika Bolinsky (sr.), Olivia Gohsler (jr.), Sophia Chipriano (jr.)

Newcomers: Gianna Chipriano (fr.), Kelly Canfield (fr.)

Outlook: Balanced team with a strong roster should successfully compete at both the league and district levels.

Jim Thorpe

Head coach: Tom Condly (11th season)

Last season: 11-8-1, 7-4-1 D-I, District 11 AA quarterfinalist

Returnees: Nicole Carrol (sr.), Gabby Cinicola (sr.), Lauren LeKites (sr.), Alexis Marotto (sr.), Ehlauna Penn (sr.), Riley Rushatz (sr.), Jen Grosse (sr.), Aurora VanAuken (sr.), Mackenzie Yuhas (sr.), Sarah Hartman (jr.), Olivia Rosenberger (jr.)

Newcomer: Camille Chambers (fr.)

Outlook: Olympians have a very strong team that includes six seniors who are four-year starters. Could possibly be the team that ends Pottsville's three-year run as league champion.

Lehighton

Head coach: Carl Wolter (2nd season)

Last season: 6-12, 4-8 D-I

Returnees: Avery Hosler (soph., D)

Newcomers: Cheyenne Marx (sr.), Charli McHugh (jr.), Karissa Moyer (soph.)

Outlook: Indians likely not ready to challenge the teams atop the division, but improvement and the program's second-ever district playoff berth are possible.

Marian

Head coach: Robert Campomizzi (1st season)

Last season: 2-11

Returnees: Maddie Kattner, Ashlee Zimmerman, Zoe Salter, Lizzie Stillman, Mikayla Tom

Newcomers: Jarrelys Nunez, Gracie Gallagher, Teaghan Biros, Abbie Crider, Peyton Stillman, Mya Tejada

Outlook: A co-op between Marian and Panther Valley, Fillies begin first official season in Schuylkill League. Young team looking to gain valuable experience and improve as season progresses.

North Schuylkill

Head coaches: Clint Warner (1st season)

Last season: 3-15, 0-12 D-I

Returnees: Hailey Weikel (sr.), Reece Lavelle (jr.), Maycee White (jr.), Marlie White (soph.)

Newcomer: Mya Conti (fr.)

Outlook: Very young team, but talent and commitment is in place for improvement as the season progresses.

Pottsville

Head coach: Bob Stock (18th season)

Last season: 16-5-1, 10-1 D-I. Schuylkill League Division I champion, Schuylkill League champion, District 11 Class 3A runner-up

Returnees: Liv Hable (sr.), Grace Evans (jr.), Megan Hoak (jr.), Abbie Davis (soph.), Abby Woodford (sr.), Katie Painter (sr.), Maddy Wright (sr.)

Newcomers: Cami Morris (soph.), Kelly Goodman (jr.), Kali Hinkle (jr.), Lauren Kelly (soph.), Kailey Olenick (soph.), Aubrey Snyder (soph.), Brooke Palko (soph.)

Outlook: Player of the Year Ava Goodman (28 goals, 11 assists) has graduated, but junior Grace Evans (19 goals, 10 assists) returns to give the Tide a powerful scoring punch. Talent all over the pitch has Pottsville primed to make a run at a fourth consecutive Schuylkill League championship and another run deep in the district playoffs.

Tamaqua

Head coach: Clem McCarroll (19th season)

Last season: 3-15,2-10 D-I.

Outlook: No information provided.

DIVISION II

Lourdes

Head coach: Charles Rebuck (12th season)

Last season: 3-13-2, 3-9 D-II

Outlook: No information provided.

Minersville

Head coach: Nate Parent (1st season)

Last season: 7-12, 6-6 D-II. District 11 Class A qualifier

Returnees: Grace Motuk (sr.), Averee Horoschak (sr.), Lauren Hertz (sr.), Madison Donline (sr.), Julia Burgess (jr.), Kaycee Raczka (jr.), Abigail Stine (jr.), Ava Yob (jr.), Brooke Kopinetz (jr.), Payton Frantz (soph.), Olivia Kopinetz (soph.)

Newcomers: Allyson Young (soph.), Kiera Kurchock (jr.), Grace Sterner (fr.), Hope Motuk (fr.), Emily Yoder (fr.), Bella Cruz (fr.), Lea Oshman (fr.)

Outlook: New staff has a positive outlook. Strong group of returning athletes should lead the Miners to a successful season.

Nativity

Head coach: Katie Miller (1st season)

Last season: 10-7-1, 8-3-1 D-II. Schuylkill League Division II wild card, District 11 Class A qualifier

Returnees: Mackenzie Miller (sr.), Madison Kramer (sr.), Lola Rymarkiewicz (sr.), Shaniya Ratcliff (sr.), Callie Seisler (sr.), Hanna Zimerofsky (jr.), Rylee Denion (jr.), Abbie Leskin (jr.), Emma Jones (soph.), Peyton Butz (soph.), Lauren Goodman (soph.)

Newcomers: Ava Shappell (soph., transfer from Schuylkill Haven), Madeline Daynorowicz (fr.), Gabi Lukacsina (fr.)

Outlook: Despite a solid group of returnees, remains young but very athletic team. Addition of Shappell provides scoring punch.

Pine Grove

Head coach: Andrew Haas (3rd season)

Last season: 13-4-2, 8-2-2 D-I. District 11 Class AA semifinalist

Returnees: Taylor Ott (jr.), Lindsey Wolff (sr.), Melanie Love (sr.), Mia Jefferson (sr.), Viktorya Luckenbach (soh.), Rayna Zimmerman (jr.), Ella Fasnacht (jr.), Jocelyn Hikes (jr.), McKenna Valentine (jr.), Sophia Wessner (jr.)

Newcomers: Myla Fisher (fr.), Hanna Aungst (fr.), Aubrey Aungst (fr.), Carley Brown (fr.), Myla Fasnacht (fr.), Addyson Deichert (soph.)

Outlook: Cardinals graduated serious talent in scoring and assist leader Abby Frew and Mikaili Donmoyer. However, plenty of talent returns led by Ott at keeper along with Luckenbach, Jefferson and Love. Another strong season appears to be in the making as team makes switch to Division II.

Schuylkill Haven

Head coach: Scott Burcik (6th season)

Last season: 17-2, 12-0 D-II. Schuylkill League Division II champion, Schuylkill League semifinalist, District 11 Class A runner-up

Returnees: Chloey Homan (sr.), Emma Osatchuck (sr.), Avery Reading (sr.), Saragrace Minnig (sr.), Sara Osatchuck (jr.), Alyvia Trostle (jr.), Kyleigh Book (sr.), Rylee Brown (jr.), Olivia Dress (jr.), Taylor Fitzpatrick (soph.), Grace Bright (sr.)

Newcomers: Audrey Hutchenson (fr.), Bella Murphy (fr.), Cadence Artz (fr.)

Outlook: Solid, veteran roster that should compete with everyone on the schedule.

Tri-Valley

Head coach: Ryan Wagner (6th season)

Last season: 8-11, 6-6 D-II. District 11 Class A qualifier

Returnees: Hope Colahan (sr.), Kendall Tietsworth (sr.), Emma Shadle (jr.), Jaelyn Pennypacker (jr.), Mazie Sankus (jr.), Emma O'Prey (jr.), KayLee Morgan (jr.), Cassi Snyder (soph.), Joyce Burian (soph.), Mia Artz (soph.), Kendra Stiely (soph.), Madyson Schwalm (soph.)

Newcomers: Marjorie Hoffman-Long (fr.), Kylie Tietsworth (fr.), Laila Bowman (fr.), Makayla Gilbert (fr.)

Outlook: Bulldogs looking to make a big jump this season with a solid group of returnees that includes scoring and assist leaders Pennypacker, Snyder and O'Prey from last season.

Weatherly

Head coach: William Bartel (7th season)

Last season: 2-15, 0-12 D-II.

Outlook: No information provided.

Williams Valley

Head coach: Gary Fetterhoff (15th season)

Last season: 11-8-1, 7-4-1 D-II. District 11 Class A semifinalist.

Returnees: Piper Barry (sr.), Jasmine Hechler (soph.), Ally Underkoffler (soph.), Sage Smeltz (soph.), Tittianna Swartzlander (soph.), Alexis Joseph (sr.)

Newcomers: Mallory Miller (fr.), Quin Smeltz (fr.)

Outlook: Will compete for Division II title despite relative youth among key returning players. Barry returns as the team's leading scorer and Smeltz was strong in goal as a freshman. Overall, the Vikings have excellent depth.

Contact the writer: Lboyer@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6026; @pubsportsboss on Twitter