Consistency Counts
Looking for consistency?
Look no further than the Mars and Karns City girls soccer programs.
The Planets are 99-1-2 in section play over the past eight seasons. They are coming off a 17-3 campaign overall — 10-0 in section play — while playing primarily underclassmen.
The Gremlins have won six consecutive District 9 championships, 22 of the past 24.
“We're still a young team,” Mars coach Blair Gerlach said. “Last year, we only had three seniors on the roster. This year, we only have five.
“We're counting on a couple more freshmen to help us out again this season.”
Karns City coach Tracy Dailey led the Gremlins to a 13-6-1 record a year ago, but will be without 21-goal scorer Hannah Knoll this fall. The senior is out for the season with a torn ACL.
“We'll miss Hannah, for sure,” Dailey said. “We lost nine seniors from last year and now her. But the girls are working hard and playing together. They know the challenge that's ahead.”
Here is a look at Butler County girls soccer this season:
ButlerCoach: Steve Perri, seventh yearKey players: Maci Lineman (soph. def.), Gabby Boden (soph. forward), McKenna Robimson (junior forward, 10 goals)Key newcomers: Stephanie Adkisson (soph. def.), Emily Fleeger (midfielder)Perri says: I'm excited about this season, though we're losing Liz Simms (12 goals last year) to cross country this year. We're going to be very team-oriented this year. No opponent will be able to concentrate on one player.”
FreeportCoach: Brittni Grenninger, fifth yearKey players: Sidney Shemanski (junior midfielder, 18 goals, 22 assists), Abby Bastaka (senior), Autumn Kriebel (senior def.), Autumn Kriebel (senior def.), Carlie Giori (senior), Kaitlyn Ritter (senior), Kylie Hoffman (junior), Kaylin Greiser (soph,), Hannah Thomas (soph.)Key newcomers: Maddie Wagner (senior GK), Maddie Zarichnak (freshman GK), Emma Check (freshman forward)Grenninger says: “For having lost 14 players to graduation, we still have a tremendous amount of experience back from last year's section championship team. Emma Check will look to combine wuith Sidney Shemanski at forward in hopes of generating scoring power lost with the graduation of Kaylee Comperatore (33 goals).”
Karns CityCoach: Tracy Dailey, fifth yearKey players: Hunter Dittman (senior midfielder 10 goals, 8 assists), Kailyn Behrend (senior def.), Alexis Fennell (senior def.), Cambrie Powers (senior GK)Key newcomers: Olivia Rumbaugh (freshman forward), Ally Fennell (freshman midfielder)Dailey says: “We'll find a way to be competitive with a young team. Hannah Knoll is a big loss, but these girls are confident and ready to step up.”
KnochCoach: Kevin Wood, third yearKey players: Lindsie Galbreath (senior midfielder, 27 goals, 8 assists), Shiann Thomas (senior midfielder, 12 assists), Sarah Vasas (senior def.), Lindsey Fanton (senior midfielder, 5 goals, 8 assists)Key newcomer: Natalie Brands (soph. def.)Wood says: “Our goal is to make the playoffs again and do something when we get there. Lindsie is back and she's our go-to player, closing in on 100 career goals, but we've got other talented girls on the field with her. Our section has Mars, Kiski, Franklin Regional, Hampton ... Those eight games will feel like playoff games. But our strength is leadership and experience. The core of this team has been together for three years.”
MarsCoach: Blair Gerlach, 19th yearKey players: Claire Valentine (senior GK, 14 shutouts), Erin Rodgers (soph. def.), Kaitlyn Pietrusinski (senior def.), Gracie Dunaway (soph. def.), Ellie Coffield (soph,. midfielder, 14 goals, 15 assists), Anna Kurpakus (junior midfielder), Taylor Hamlett (junior forward, 16 goals, 21 assists), Caroline Wroblewski (soph. forward, 15 goals, 10 assists)Gerlach says: “We have a lot of girls who play club soccer and have been playing this game at a very high level for a long time. Our strength is we have the ability to adapt to different formations. We can play a direct style or keep possession.”
North CatholicCoach: Christyn Bobak, first yearKey players: Tori Michalski (soph. midfielder, 21 goals, 6 assists), Reginia Torchia (senior midfielder, 11 goals, 5 assists), Andrea Bean (soph,. GK, 12 shutouts)Key newcomer: Alexis Wateska (freshman forward)Bobak says: “I'm excited to get this job and begin a new challenge. My husband and I recently moved here from New Orleans, where I coached Mount Carmel Academy to back-to-back state titles. We were always in at least the state semifinals. My goal here is to help these girls become better people and better soccer players. If that happens, the wins will take care of themselves.”
Seneca ValleyCoach: Mark Perry, third yearKey players: Madeline Neuschwander (senior def.), Julia Redilla (senior midfielder, 5 goals, 7 assists), Ashley Rea (senior midfielder), Breana Valentovish (junior forward), Norah Seibel (junior midfielder)Key newcomers: Mia Zec (junior midfielder), Anna Takac (senior def.), All Smith (junior def.), Morgan Sinan (junior GK).Perry says: “Last year was disappointing because we had eight seniors and lost in the first round of the playoffs. Our goal is to make the playoffs and extend our season. Our strength is a high skill level. We have a lot of high quality skilled players who can pass the ball. We're not a big, physical team. We're a skilled, finesse team.”
Slippery RockCoach: Sarah Cessar, first yearKey players: Kayla Daugherty (junior midfielder, 27 goals, 20 assists), Ellie Reiser (junior midfielder, 17 goals, 7 assists), Emily Sarver (senior def.), Ashley Shea (soph. def.), Tessa McHattie (senior def.)Key newcomers: Michaella Roth (senior forward), Julia Hart (junior GK).Cessar says: “We want to try to possess the ball and our forwards work well with each other. This team did well in the region last year. This year, we want to do well in the district, too.”
