Jonathan Alder’s girls varsity soccer team is pictured from left, front row, Rachel Clemens, Emily Piccoalatonio, Marissa Belau and Makena Crownover. Katie Hooley, Madison Ice, Alex Shaw, Lindsey Miller, Lilly Schaefer, Kelsey McKenna and Emma Rector. Row tree, from the left, Audrianna Ragan, Lauren Prkey, Emilly Opatt, Kenzie Buchong, Elaina Winslow and Sydnie Buchong. Row four, from the left, coach Benjamin Au, coach Phillip Rothses, very Necht, Sophie Zaodny, Ashley Warren, Taylor Cameron, coach Elizabeth Butt and coach Matt Evans.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
If veteran leadership is the key to success, the Jonathan Alder girls soccer squad could be in for a very good season this fall.
Coach Matt Evans has 16 lettermen back from a squad that went 11-4-3 overall and finished third in the Central Buckeye Conference with a 6-1-3 mark.
Veterans include Katie Hooley, forward; Ashley Warren, goal keeper; Elaina Winslow, forward; Emily Piccolantonio, forward; midfielders Emma Rector, Kelsey McKenna, Kenzie Bushong, Lily Schaefer, Lindsey Miller and Marissa Belau; keeper Sophie Zawodny; and defenders Sydnie Bushong, Lauren Perkey and Emily Opatt.
Lettermen Avery Hecht and Madison Ic, however, are out for the season with injuries.
Newcomers to the varsity squad are Alex Shaw, Taylor Cameron, Kena Crownover, Audrianna Ragan and Rachel Clemens, all of whom are midfielders.
“We have plenty of depth this season,” said Evans. “A total of 17 of our 21 varsity players are upper classmen.
“We have four and three-year starters and a handful of girls who have played a lot over the past two seasons.”
Evans said he wants to field a balanced offensive attack.
“We want to include everyone in the possession/build-up style that we like to play,” he said. “That way, an opponent cannot sit on one or two players, but any one can hurt you on any given night.
“The identity of our team will continue to be a strong work ethic, extreme fitness level and defense.”
Evans said he really doesn’t have very many worries heading into the 2019 campaign.
“This team does not have a lot of weaknesses,” he said. “We had or will have a very difficult schedule, including a scrimmage against back-to-back state champs, Indian Hill at their place, our opening night game at Granville, our home opener against Lexington and a game at Crew Stadium against Marysville (on Thursday of this week).
“This team is hungry, experienced, talented and is having a lot of fun right now,” he said.