There are several new faces guiding area girls soccer programs this season.
There are four new coaches around the area this fall.
Marty Clum has switched from coaching the boys team to the girls team in 2010. He led the Bulldogs to a title in the North Central Ohio Soccer Association in 2008 and will try and breathe some new life in to the Ada girls program which has gone 0-34 the previous two seasons.
Down the road at Bluffton, Joel Steinmetz takes the reins of the girls program after spending the past decade as an assistant coach for the school’s highly-successful boys program.
‘Andrew Snook takes over at Riverdale and is the third head coach in the last three years for the Falcons. While Nikki Smith takes over as the news head coach at Upper Sandusky.
One area squad to watch this season might just be Van Buren. The Black Knights were 6-9-2 in their first varsity season last year. Coach Tom Piccirillo’s roster is stocked with 15 returning letter winners.
No information was available on the team from Ottoville.
Ada
Head coach: Marty Clum (1st year).
2009 RECORD: 0-17 overall.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Corissa Cole, sr., MF/F; Peggy Scott, sr., F; Lorna Spahr, sr., MF/F; Keara Downing, sr., D/GK' Torie Wright, sr., F/MF; Sarah Clum, jr., D; Heather Rowe, jr., D; Ariel Rall, soph., MF.
TOP PROSPECTS: Jackie Gibson, jr.; Rachel Colley, soph.; Kendra Paul, soph.; Kenzie Corbet, fr.; Annie Hannah, fr.; Sara Lansing, fr.; Annabell Pinkney, fr.; Jessica Rojas, fr.
NOTABLE: Ada hasn't won a match the past two seasons so Clum is hoping to get his club's confidence level up for starters. The Bulldogs have also been focusing much of their effort in the preseason in improving their defense.
Bluffton
HEAD COACH: Joel Steinmetz (1st year).
2009 RECORD: 6-11-1
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kelly McCarthy, sr., D; Ava Yoakum, jr., D; Rachel Yoder, soph., D; Megan Dulle, soph., F.
TOP PROSPECTS: Alissa Garmatter, jr., MF; Kayla Longworth, jr., GK; Carissa Luginbill, jr., MF/F; Chelsea Moran, jr., MF/D; Katie Palte, soph., F; Kylee Barnett, soph., D; Molly Moser, fr., D; Abbey Haslep, fr., GK; Jill Steinmetz, fr., MF.
NOTABLE: With three starting defenders back the Pirates will be counting on the defense to keep them in games early as their offense develops throughout the season.
Cory-Rawson
HEAD COACH: Joe Parsell (2nd year, 1-12-2).
2009 RECORD: 1-12-2.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Alissa Ice, sr., MF; Hallie Snodgrass, sr., SW; Caitlin Parke, sr., MF; Ay‘lish Hulihan, jr., MF; Alexis Collert, jr., ST; Morgan Woodward, jr., MF; Paige Wieman, soph., FB; Alyssa Collert, soph., FB; Erica Frantz, soph., F.
TOP PROSPECTS: Hannah Roebke, fr., F; Miki Kussman, fr., MF; Natasha Shields, fr., ST.
NOTABLE: Look for improvement from the Hornets this season with nine returning letterwinners. Depth will be a problem with around a dozen or so players on the roster.
Continental
Head coach: Toby Bidlack, 8th year (83-31-13).
2009 RECORD: 9-6-3 overall, 0-2-2 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Taylor Bidlack sr., MF/F; Stephanie Coble, sr., MF/F; Kayla Mansfield, jr., Def; Alli Prowant, jr., MF; Mady Racker, jr., MF; Hannah Baker, soph., Def; Sara Deken, soph., Def; Vanessa Koppenhofer, soph., MF; Leva Weller, soph., Goalkeeper; Taylor Williamson, soph., F.
TOP PROSPECTS: Paige Kindilien, fr., MF; Whitney Miller, fr., MF/Def; Paige Ordway, fr., MF/F; Bridgitte Shelton, fr., F; Kiana Warnement, fr., Def/MF; Sloane Zachrich, fr., F.
NOTABLE: With only five upperclassmen on the roster, Continental will need to mature quickly in order to be successful. Seniors Taylor Bidlack and Stephanie Coble, who are both three-year letterwinners, will have to lead the way.
Fort Jennings
Head coach: Rodney Wagner (9th year, 93-52-15)
2009 RECORD: 12-5-3 overall, 1-2-1 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Alissa Piasecki, sr., FB; Lauren Verhoff, sr., F; Taylor Wallenhorst, sr., MF; Mindy Merricle, sr., FB; Melissa Krietmeyer, sr., FB; Morgan Schroeder, jr., MF; Kelsey VanLehmden, jr., Goalkeeper; Macy Schroeder, soph., F; Kristen Maag, soph., MF; Lori Bruskotter, soph., FB.
TOP PROSPECTS: Gina Clay, jr., Goalkeeper; Cassie Kaverman, jr., MF; Andrea Heitmeyer, jr., FB/F; Gina Stechschulte, soph., FB; Jenna VonSasson, soph., MF; Marissa Mesker, soph., F; Elaina Maag, soph., MF; Kaitlin Stechschulte, soph., MF; Martina Weems, soph., MF; Mara Brown, soph., MF; Gabbie German, soph., Goalkeeper; Brittany Inkrott, soph., MF; Alyssa Schimmoeller, fr., F; Ashley Gable, fr., MF; Cassie Horstman, fr., FB; Emily Grone, fr., F; Jamie Saum, fr., MF; Marisa Good, fr., MF; Nicole Ricker, fr., MF/FB; Stephanie Korte, fr., F.
NOTABLE: After advancing to the district final last season, Fort Jennings has eight returning starters and 30 girls on the team. There should be plenty of competition on the Musketeers' squad. Seven of the returners combined for 44 of the 56 goals that the team scored last season.
Kalida
Head coach: David Kehres (5th year, 36-23-9).
2009 RECORD: 12-3-3 overall, 4-0-0 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Samantha Edwards, sr., MF; Chelsea Kahle, sr., MF/Def; Amanda Schulte, sr., MF; Miranda Schulte, sr., F/MF; Nicole Kaufman, jr., F/Def; Marissa Smith, jr., MF/Def; Alexis Wurth, jr., Def; Skylar Basinger, soph., MF/Def; Summer Holtkamp, soph., F/MF; Kaylyn Verhoff, soph., Def.
TOP PROSPECTS: Katelyn Kortokrax, fr., Kiersten Recker, fr., Def; Nicole Reindel, fr., MF/F; Whitney Smith, fr., Def/MF; Justine Verhoff, fr., MF/F; Sarah Verhoff, fr., Goalkeeper/F.
NOTABLE: Kalida appears to be primed for another strong season in 2010. Senior Sam Edwards, junior Nikki Kaufman and sophomore Summer Holtkamp are all back after earning second team Putnam County League honors last season.
Liberty-Benton
Head coach: David LaRocco (5th year, 72-6-2)
2009 RECORD: 18-2 overall, 10-0 Midland Suburban Soccer League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Megan Borer, sr., Def; Paige Brodine, sr., Def; Molly Erickson, sr., Def; Adrienne Ford, sr., F; Shadia Smidi, sr., MF/F; Kelsi Springer, sr., Goalkeeper; Sarah Beeman, jr., MF; Laura Fish, jr., MF/Def; Tiffany Hart, jr., Def/MF; Alex Johnson, jr., Def; Stephanie Taylor, jr., Def/MF; Breanna Windle, jr., F; Marisa Burkett, soph. MF/Goalkeeper; Sydney Stuck, soph. MF/Def.; Madison Switzer, soph., Def.
TOP PROSPECTS: Kayla Treuino, fr., MF/F; Jessica Selhort, fr., MF; Shawna Lee, jr., MF; Taylor Badertscher, soph., MF/F; Jana Fish, fr., F.
NOTABLE: Juniors Sarah Beeman and Laura Fish were both first team Midland Suburban Soccer League. The Eagles are coming off of a district final appearance.
Miller City
Head coach: Nicholas Pittman (3rd year, 19-7-11).
2009 RECORD: 8-4-6 overall, 0-1-3 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Hannah Niese, Sr., Def; Cayla Inkrott, sr., F; Ashley Schmenk, sr., Def; Kelly Pester, sr., For; Lauren Niese, sr., MF; Sara Schroeder, sr., MF; Jessica Michel, sr., Def; Courtney Ellerbrock, sr., Def; Jessica Nienberg, jr., F; Jessica Leis, jr., MF; Marissa Schroeder, jr., MF; Ashley Alt, jr., MF; Meagon Giblin, soph., MF; Melissa Michel, soph., Goalkeeper; Allison Verhoff, soph., F; Brandi Gershutz, soph., Def.
TOP PROSPECTS: Megan Klear, jr.;, Jessica Schmenk, fr.; Morgan Inkrott, fr.; Briana Niese, fr.; Natasha Niese, fr.; Dana Kohls, soph.; Missy Michel, soph.; Sydney Snyder, soph.; Allison NIese, soph.; Whitney Niese, fr.
NOTABLE: Miller City will feature 16 returning letterwinners including first team Putnam County League pick Hannah Niese. The Wildcats should be able to improve on their record from last season.
Ottawa-Glandorf
Head coach: Bob Huth (8th year)
2009 RECORD: 4-3 Western Buckeye League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kaylee Borer, sr., F; Molly Laibe, sr., F; Kelby Kuhlman, sr., Def; Brianna Racer, jr., Def.; Breann Schroeder, jr., F; Jessie Kreinbrink, jr., Def.; Alison Nash, jr., MF; Alexis Osting, jr., MF; Brooke Zynda, jr., MF; Kristen Duling, jr., Def.; Kelsey Hoehn, jr., MF.
NOTABLE: Kaylee Borer, a senior forward, earned second team Western Buckeye League honors last season.
Ottoville
Head coach:
2009 RECORD: .
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: .
TOP PROSPECTS: .
NOTABLE: .
Riverdale
Head coach: Andrew Snook (1st year)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Vanessa Stewart, sr., F; Alison Gil, sr., Def; Kylie Cole, jr., MF; Miranda Albert, jr., F/MF; Tiffany Hanson, jr., Def; Shelby Blum, jr., MF/Goalkeeper; Emily Melroy, soph., MF; Anna Penwell, soph., MF.
NOTABLE: Riverdale returns two solid players on each level of the lineup. Senior forward Vanessa Stewart has scored 72 career goals and senior Alison Gil, who made 112 intercepts last season, is back for her second season as a captain.
Upper Sandusky
Head coach: Nicki Smith (1st year)
2009 RECORD: 5-10-2.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Audrey Frey, sr., GK; Theresa D'Ettorre, sr., D; Kelsie Elkins, sr., MF/F; Aubry Wentling, jr., D; Alissa Gerber, sr., D; Shayleen Wood, sr., D; Blake Harris, sr., F/MF; Brigitte Snow, soph., MF/F; Rowan Ritchey, soph., F/D.
TOP PROSPECTS: Not available.
NOTABLE: Smith takes over as head coach of the girls program at Upper Sandusky this season. She'll be counting on Shayleen Wood, who she expects to make an impact for the Rams on both offense and defense.
Van Buren
Head coach: Tom Piccirillo (2nd year, 6-9-2).
2009 RECORD: 6-9-2 overall, 2-4 Midland Suburban Soccer League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Madi Coldren, sr., F; Brooke Barnhisel, sr., MF; Tori Swain, sr., MF; Kasie Wilkins, sr., F; Meg Ewing, jr., MF; Taylor Fieger, jr., D; Julia Edelbrock, jr., GK; Michaela Conkle, soph., D; Laura Endicott, soph., MF; Heather Clark, soph., F; Sydney Jameson, soph., MF; Morgan Flick, soph., F; Alyssa Spears, soph., F; Jessica Domke, sr, F; Kaleigh Frampton, soph., GK.
TOP PROSPECTS: Kristen Tropf, soph., MF; Kayla Sonnenberg, soph., MF; Madi Endicott, fr., MF; Meghan Tackett,fr., MF; Kalyn Leeper, sr., MF.
NOTABLE: With 15 returning letterwinners this fall the school's first winning season on the varsity level should be within reach.